Review by Booklist Review
Ruffleclaw, an earth monster, lived in a burrow in Tommy's backyard before he decided to move into his house. Even though Tommy has always longed for a dog, he is not sure he wants a pet that eats earthworms, drinks shampoo, and takes bites out of his belongings. After Ruffleclaw wins him over, they discover how Mom reacts to vile vermin leaving her piano littered with crumbs and sticky with honey. Still, the little red monster loves her music, creating a bond between them. Now if only someone could cure Dad's fur allergy, perhaps Ruffleclaw could stay. This entertaining early chapter book is a down-to-earth fantasy full of cheerful chaos, cartoonlike action, and amusingly grubby details. Through dialogue and descriptions, the clash of cultures (human versus earth monster) provides plenty of humor as the story unfolds. Funke's grayscale artwork appears throughout the book. The lively full-page and spot illustrations help define the characters and settings, while the double-page cross-section scenes showing Ruffleclaw's underground den are particularly nice. Fast-paced and fun. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Funke's fans are really stretching in age range, meaning that there's no evidence of her reach doing anything but growing right along with them.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-The pirate pig Julie sniffs out treasure the way other pigs sniff out truffles. Stout Sam and Pip find her washed up in a barrel on a beach, and when they let children play with some of the treasure they find, greedy pirate Barracuda Bill finds out and steals Julie for his own nefarious purposes. Will Sam and Pip be able to steal her back? In the second story, Ruffleclaw is a four-armed earth monster who lives in his burrow under the tool shed. He makes occasional nighttime visits to Tommy's house and decides to move in with the family when he falls in love with the creepy piano music played by Tommy's mother, food from their refrigerator, and shampoo to drink. Tommy must convince his mother and then his father that Ruffleclaw and his messes will be a good addition to the family. The author herself narrates, and her portrayal of Ruffleclaw is nothing short of fabulous, growling, and with a slight German accent. VERDICT Two delightful tales for children and their parents looking for unusual and humorous animal and monster fantasies.-Ann -Brownson, Eastern Illinois University © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Ruffleclaw, an earth monster who's tired of living underground, moves in with his human neighbors, Tommy and his family. Spitting, messy, worm-eating earth monsters, though, do not understand human customs and manners, and Tommy must work hard to get his mother and (highly allergic) father on board. Full of kid-pleasing gross humor, the lively monster story includes black-and-white spot art by the author. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Ruffleclaw, an "earth monster," is obsessed with human thingswhich will cause some problems. Ruffleclaw's tired of living under a shed and eating only bugs. He's also tired of his earth monster neighbors, Shaggystink and Wormtooth, and their disdain for all things human. At night, Ruffleclaw picks the locks of human houses (easy with a claw) and gapes at all the wonders within. He's especially fond of the "ice-cold box" where they keep the best food. He decides to go live with a human family, choosing a house where he's heard the most delightful, "creepy-crawlicious" music. When Tommy wakes next to a hairy, red, four-armed, smelly monster, he tries throwing Ruffleclaw out, but the earth monster is nothing if not persistent. Tommy decides to keep Ruffleclaw as a petafter all, he's always wanted a dog, and the monster actually talks. When keeping the hairy beast a secret from mom falls through, the duo have to get creative convincing her to let Ruffleclaw stayand then there's Tommy's dad's allergy to anything with fur. Funke's playful monster tale, published in Germany in 2005, is a piece with such other outings as Emma and the Blue Genie (2014). While it's not as inventive or engaging as her longer works, those new to chapters who need a good, funny monster tale to alleviate fears or who like a small dose of gross will find it here. A sweet, light fantasy for readers just cutting their literary teeth. (Fantasy. 7-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
