The Infamous Ratsos are Not Afraid

Reviewed by: Phyllis Fuchs - Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

This second book about the infamous Ratsos, like the first, is a funny, thoughtful and smart early chapter book. Boys and girls of about five to eight , both listeners and readers should enjoy the Ratso brothers' new idea. The clear and amusing cartoon like drawings appear on almost every page.The bold print sentences and the drawings work together to make both listening and reading just right for this age group. The title suggests the theme. Older brother Louie is afraid of a house that may be haunted and have a ghost in it that Louie may have seen. His brother Ralph is being teased by a girl who has been given a cruel nickname. Their mama being gone but always in their hearts, it is their dad, big Lou, who observes, listens and talks about the things that he is afraid of and about checking on the facts when it comes to nicknames, among other things. Readers enjoy an entertaining story of how the brothers, together with other animal friends, clear out a vacant lot to make an arcade. The haunted house, the ghost and the nickname are all resolved within the story; no preaching occurs. The book makes an excellent read-aloud in a class room or at home and offers an opportunity to talk about what is scary and about nicknames and it also has some laugh-out-loud moments. Recommended.

Overall Book Score: very good