Niblet & Ralph by Zachariah OHora follows the escapades of two mischievous cats. The clever Calicos have figured out that they live in the same apartment building. While they spend most of their days talking to each other on the phone, they soon decide to meet face to face.
Ralph uses a clothesline to make his way into Niblet's apartment. Meanwhile, Niblet pounces on the perfect opportunity to race across the hall to see his friend. Both cats decide to wait until the other returns.
When their owners, Gemma and Dilla, arrive home from school, they are shocked. Ralph doesn't want his hello hug. Niblet wants nothing to do with his favorite toy. Clearly, the cats are fakes! So why don't their parents believe that a catnapping has taken place? Will Ralph and Niblet ever be able to go home?
I greatly enjoyed reading this story. The plot reminds me of a mixture of The Parent Trap meets The Prince and the Pauper. OHora's characters are hilarious. I love how their personalities shine through in their love of music and cheesy triangles. This brought images of my own cats to mind. They are definitely different from one another.
The illustrations and funky and fun. OHora uses acrylic paint on Stonehenge printmaking paper to really make the images pop. His use of a bold color palette draws in the reader's attention and is a true feast for the eyes.
I love the detail that OHora has put into the characters of Ralph and Niblet. Their faces are mirrored opposites that can fool even the sharpest of readers. This adds a very Where's Waldo element to the story.
This is a fun read for children ages 3-5.
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