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RRRalph (2011) by Lois Ehlert: A Family Picture Book

Parents of under-fives often find more than one child on their lap at read-aloud time. Children's age differences can add up to huge developmental differences and finding a book that reads at a variety of levels can be hard. This is why I love RRRalph. It has something for everyone.

Ralph is a likable, black and white paper collage mutt with a zippered snout and a flip-top nose for adventure. The book's inside cover asks, Would you like to meet a talking dog? Well, yah!!! 

What's in it for baby? Bright, eye-popping pictures and animal sounds to parrot. For preschool siblings? A dog, plus large print to point out and a simple lively text that sparks book talk. Slightly older children can read and create off the page, crafting torn-paper collages to illustrate stories about their pets, or building a kid-sized doghouse from a cardboard box for inside play.

What's in it for Mom and Dad? A chance to bark, woof, and howl (with laughter, of course)!

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