Runaway Ralph facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Beverly Cleary |
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| Illustrator | Louis Darling |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Mouse and the Motorcycle |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
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Publication date
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1970 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 192 pp |
| ISBN | 0-380-70953-8 |
| OCLC | 25097417 |
| Preceded by | The Mouse and the Motorcycle |
| Followed by | Ralph S. Mouse |
Runaway Ralph is a fun children's book by Beverly Cleary. It's the second book in a series about a brave mouse named Ralph. This story came out in 1970. It was the last book that Louis Darling drew pictures for before he passed away. In the book, Ralph S. Mouse is a special house mouse. He can talk to people! He also loves going on adventures with his tiny motorcycle.
This book even won an award! It received the Nene Award from the Hawaii Library Association in 1972.
Ralph's Big Adventure: The Plot
Ralph the mouse is tired of his noisy family. He decides to leave the Mountain View Inn. He jumps on his toy motorcycle and speeds off. His goal is to reach Happy Acres Camp.
At the camp, Ralph meets Sam, a curious watchdog. Soon, a boy named Garfield, or Garf, catches Ralph. Garf decides to keep Ralph as a pet. Ralph is now stuck in a cage. He is separated from his beloved motorcycle. Inside the cage, he has to share space with an annoying hamster named Chum.
Over time, Ralph and Garf become friends. Their friendship is much like Ralph's bond with Keith in the first book. Ralph has many exciting adventures at Happy Acres Camp. He has to deal with a mean cat. He also helps find a missing watch. Ralph even manages to escape from his cage! Eventually, he gets reunited with his favorite motorcycle.
Ralph starts to miss his home at the inn. He makes a deal with Garf. Ralph will help clear Garf's name. The other kids at camp think Garf took the missing watch. In return, Garf must give Ralph his motorcycle back. Garf also has to take Ralph home to the Mountain View Inn. The watch is found and returned. Garf promises Ralph he will go home the next day.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle Series
Runaway Ralph is part of a three-book series. These books follow the adventures of Ralph S. Mouse.
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1965)
- Runaway Ralph (1970)
- Ralph S. Mouse (1982)
Movie Version of Runaway Ralph
Runaway Ralph was made into a movie in 1988. Churchill Films produced it. Ron Underwood directed the film. It starred Fred Savage as Garf. The movie aired as a two-part special. It was shown on the ABC Weekend Special.
The film was later released on video. Strand VCI Entertainment distributed it in 1991. Anchor Bay Entertainment also distributed it in 1999.
