The Ramble Shamble Children

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The delightful story of an unconventional family of kids who learn the ups and downs of working together.

Merra, Locky, Roozle, Finn, and little Jory love their ramble shamble house. It’s a lot of work taking care of the garden, the chickens, and themselves, but they all pitch in to make it easier–even Jory, who looks after the mud puddles. When they come across a picture of a “proper” house in a book, they start wondering if their own home is good enough. So they get to work “propering up” the garden, the chickens, and even the mud puddles.

But the results aren’t exactly what they expected, and when their now-proper household’s youngest member goes missing, they realize that their ramble shamble home might be just right for their family, after all.

Nancy Paulsen Books (March 9, 2021)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399176322
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399176326

EXTRAS

Christina and Lauren’s interview with Mr. Schu!

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PRAISE

Sweet-tempered writing…and affectionate spreads by Caldecott Honoree Castillo make it clear that the ramble shamble house, with no parents in sight, is perfect the way it is…The underlying Pippi Longstocking–style setting—children living and thriving together—could easily sustain further episodes.
Publishers Weekly (STARRED Review)

Soontornvat’s complete lack of exposition, with no explanation of how five diverse children came to live this way, lends the story a classic, old-time–y feel that allows readers to focus on more important things: what it means to contribute to the well-being of others, what makes a family, and what love looks like.
Kirkus Reviews)

No need to ‘proper up’ anything about this winning title. Soontornvat and Castillo have produced a charming tale of ‘ramble shamble’ delightfulness. . . . Castillo’s illustrations, done with ink drawings digitally combined with Gelli monoprints, radiate light, warmth, and coziness. The story elements are perfectly balanced and the sense of community and family makes this a very satisfying book to share. Children love the idea of living on their own independent of adults and this book celebrates that desire with a masterful blend of illustration and story.
School Library Journal (STARRED Review)

From [the] first welcoming sentence we know we’re in classic picture book territory—words and rhythms that taste just right and the ever-appealing theme of children in charge, with no adults on the scene. . . . [A] comfortable, chaotic, creative world. The joyful energy of this simple story is amplified by glowing pictures showing a multiethnic group of sturdy children against impressionistic, light-infused backgrounds of mountain, meadow, and mud.
Horn Book (STARRED Review)

Charmingly illustrated in Castillo’s signature style. . . . Soontornvat’s complete lack of exposition, with no explanation of how five diverse children came to live this way, lends the story a classic, old-time–y feel that allows readers to focus on more important things: what it means to contribute to the well-being of others, what makes a family, and what love looks like. Hint: It doesn’t look like diamond chandeliers. Readers will surely want to join this sweet family.
Kirkus Reviews

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