Beverly Cleary Author Study: Runaway Ralph

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy 

has a revised cover with no (discernable) artist credit. 

I wanted to make more of a note about the illustrations and cover this time. I can't find a name (or decipher the signature) for the cover illustrator, but this is the last book of Cleary's that was illustrated by Louis Darling. He died in 1970, the year this book was published, and it is dedicated to him.

Ralph is one of the most unique characters in Cleary's books and he's back for another adventure. This time he wants to be independent and leave his family behind. He's tired of being told what to do and when he can ride his motorcycle, and he doesn't like giving his younger relatives rides on HIS motorcycle.

He learns there is a summer camp nearby so he decides to run away. Trying to live on his own around so many children is difficult, especially since the camp also has a dog and several cats roaming around.

This book was a fun read because Ralph is clever and gets into interesting situations, but I liked The Mouse and the Motorcycle more.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Ramona the Pest

 Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy

has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner.

Ramona's first solo book! After always being the "baby" on the sidelines, Ramona is finally starting kindergarten! She loves her kind teacher, Miss Binney, and has a crush on a classmate, Davy. Ramona gets to participate in a Halloween parade, walk to school on her own, and learns to write her name with a cute cat Q.

I remembered so much of this book, and I wonder if other Ramona fans feel the same. My kindergarten experience was totally different but this one is also part of my memory in a unique way. My favorite parts have always been when Ramona hides behind the garbage cans because she has a substitute teacher and when she loses her new boots in the mud.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy

has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner.

I can't tell you how many times I watched this movie in my childhood; I'm pretty sure my mom still has the VHS. I read the book as a kid but I didn't remember much of the written story, however, when I read it, I could vividly picture the movie scenes!

I absolutely love the creativity and imagination in this book. It's fun to think of a boy being able to talk to a mouse anyway, but the way Ralph has to use his own imagination to make the motorcycle move is such a nice touch. I also like how Ralph gets in trouble just like any other boy because it makes him so easy to relate to.

I can't wait to read this with my son because I think it's timeless and he'll love it too.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Ribsy

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy

has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner.

This is my original copy of the book but I didn't remember the story at all, so it was a nice read. I loved (and fondly remember many random details about) Socks (1973), so I knew Cleary had a great way of writing animals, but I was especially drawn to Ribsy after being with him so much in the Henry Huggins books.

Ribsy gets lost from the Huggins family on a rainy day so he has trouble picking up their scent to find his way home. Another family takes him home, further away from Henry's house than Ribsy has ever been before. It seems like it'll be impossible for Ribsy to find his way back because different people keep taking him in. Every chapter has a lot of adventure and suspense.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Henry and the Clubhouse

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy

has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner.

Henry finally got his paper route in the last book, but now he feels the pressure of selling subscriptions. He's waiting for someone to move into the empty house in his neighborhood so he'll have a new customer. In the meantime, he and his friends build their own clubhouse.

Ramona is very prevalent in this book, and she's quite the character. (She won't have her first solo book for six more years.) Henry is growing up though, so his interactions with Ramona are more brotherly than kids bugging each other, as it was in the earlier books. The ending of this book has a very touching scene between the two of them.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Henry and the Paper Route

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy

has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner.

Henry has been filling in on Scooter’s paper route for a few books, but now he’s determined to get his own. However, he’s not old enough, so he has to wait. Or, in true Henry Huggins fashion, try to prove his worth. Except how can he, when four kittens need to be rescued and old papers need to be collected for a school drive?

A new boy named Murph moves into the neighborhood at the end of this book. Henry wants to become his friend, but Murph seems like a genius! He’s building his own robot and doesn’t have much in common with Henry, except that he’s also interested in a paper route...

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Beezus and Ramona

Illustrations by Louis Darling.

The first book starring these two ladies! I remember SO MUCH of this book! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve randomly thought about Ramona taking a bite from every apple. Or pictured the candy dragon Beezus drew. I’d bet money I’ve thought of those at least once a month since I read this book in childhood. I’m sure I re-read the book many times, too.

Despite what I remembered on my own, on my re-read, I think I most loved Ramona writing her name all over her library book to make it hers. This is where Beverly Cleary’s background as a children’s librarian really came through - that and the sections where she talks about reading aloud. Henry is a minor character in this book, just as Beezus and Ramona have appeared in his books, so it was nice to “see” a familiar face.

It’s funny reading this as an adult and recognizing how you act with kids who are Ramona’s age and who are Beezus’s age. I also remember how I felt reading it as a kid, getting frustrated by Ramona’s antics while realizing I was the younger sibling...

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Henry and Ribsy

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy
has a revised cover by JoAnn Scribner. 

I didn’t remember as much about this book, though it was definitely a re-read for me. There is something calm and cozy about Henry’s life that is like an escape for me. I love how small things become adventures for Henry, like riding up in the car while the mechanic works on it.

In this book, Henry had a long-term goal of keeping Ribsy out of trouble so Henry could go on a fishing trip with his dad. I appreciate the reality of how Henry works to achieve this goal and then how the fishing trip actually plays out in the end.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Otis Spofford

Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy

has a revised cover by Alan Tiegreen.

I’ve already made the disclaimer that I love Henry and his friends most, but I’m trying to be fair to Otis and his friends as well. Otis was the antagonist in Ellen Tebbits, and Ellen and her friends appear in this book as well.

In his own book, Otis’s misfit behavior takes center stage. As an adult and a librarian who has worked in public schools, reading about some of his antics gave me PTSD. I think we all know kids who do things just to do them, not to cause trouble and not to be mean, but they’re disruptive and exhausting all the same. But I can see how kids would love to read about how Otis gets in trouble without getting in trouble themselves. A friend and I used to play Ellen and Otis (I was Otis, what does that say about me?) so I guess I liked them just fine when I was a kid!

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Henry and Beezus

 Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy has a revised cover.

Beezus and Ramona were introduced in Henry Huggins, but they’re becoming more central characters in this book. Henry is one of my favorite kids’ book characters anyway, so I love how he develops in this book. Also, just as a personal aside, I love seeing the difference between then and now, especially in terms of money. It’s interesting to see how much Henry’s dream bike costs, and how much he earns per chore.

I love how Henry’s story is interesting and engaging while being adventurous in a way that is attainable for kids. I think it helps connect them to their own community since Henry’s action takes place in his own neighborhood. I also think it helps develop their imagination play because they can play everyday games and reenactments inspired by the story.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Ellen Tebbits

 Illustrations by Louis Darling, though my copy has a revised cover.

I liked Ellen Tebbits as a kid because she seemed like a mix of who I was and who I wanted to be. The descriptions of girls in her class are spot on, and I could relate a lot to the way those friendships were portrayed. Also, the way she let her lie about horseback riding grow out of control was so realistic; I’m sure something like that has happened to everyone.

I like this book, but admit I’m biased (as a kid and now as an adult) towards Henry and his crew, so it has a different feel for me. I can’t pinpoint why, but it’s still a light-hearted book to read.

Beverly Cleary Author Study: Henry Huggins

Illustrations by Louis Darling.

I remembered a lot of this book from reading it as a kid - especially the nightcrawlers chapter. (Side note: I also vividly remembered the worm part in Judy Blume’s Superfudge - am I a secret worm fanatic?) Some sections I wouldn’t have remembered off the top of my head, but when I read them, they came flooding back, like how Henry initially got Ribsy, and how they competed in the dog show.

Trying to separate my feel-good memories from this book, I think it’s still a solid chapter book for kids. I’m eager for my son to read it. I think there are interesting storylines, but they’re realistic enough that they can be engaging for all kids. I’m not dissing science fiction or magical elements, but not all kids are into that so I appreciate realistic fiction like this being available.