Busy People All Around Town

by R.W. Alley

When the deliveryman's dog, Max, runs off with an important package, Ralph chases him all over town and sees people with many different occupations along the way

Hardcover

First published May 1, 1988

About the author

R.W. Alley has illustrated more than one hundred children's books, including the popular Paddington Bear books by Michael Bond.

In 2010, he received a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award for Pearl and Wagner One Funny Day by Kate McMullan. In 2008, There’s a Wolf at the Door by Zoë B. Alley was selected as a Washington Post Best Book of the Year.

Mr. Alley’s newest books include:
Saturday Is Dadurday by Robin Pulver / illustrated by R.W. Alley / Walker Books, 2013
"Brightened with watercolor, watercolor pencil, and gouache, the expressive ink drawings illustrate the story with attention to telling details and express the characters’ emotions with clarity and finesse. Fine for reading aloud, this sympathetic picture book will leave many children wishing for their own version of Dadurday." -
Booklist

Because Your Mommy Loves You by Andrew Clements / illustrated by R.W. Alley / Clarion Books, 2012
"Clements and Alley reunite to produce a strong companion title to Because Your Daddy Loves You." - Kirkus Reviews

When Dads Don't Grow Up by Marjorie Blain Parker / illustrated by R. W. Alley / Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
"As this sympathetic and celebratory book makes clear, endearingly childish fathers are good for more than just goofy fun." - New York Times Sunday Book Review

Currently he is writing and illustrating a series of four picture books about the fantastical adventures of four siblings. Soon, illustrative work will begin on two picture books based on the life of Enzo, the canine hero of the adult novel The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

Mr. Alley lives in Rhode Island. Visit him at rwalley.com.

Reviews

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I am left to play alone, Mama and Papa find me in my room looking closely at each page. There is a lot to look at and see as Ralph delivers his packages all over town. For a kid my age, this is an epic adventure.

I love to read and reread this book. I search for Ralph and his dog Max in each page. Sometimes we search for other hidden things. Mama loves to ask me to search for letters in a sign and guess what the sign might say based on the sound of the letter. Sometimes I think this is a really fun game. Other times I say to Mama, "I don't want letters today. Just read."

I am glad that I own this book. It is a favorite.