Ruffles and the Cozy, Cozy Bed

4.8

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Author(s)

David Melling

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

October 03, 2023

ISBN

978-1536231557

Buy This Book

Ruffles loves a lot of things, like digging, running, and sleeping. He does not love loud noises, especially at night. When Ruffles sees a flash and hears a loud bang, he knows that can only mean one thing: a thunderstorm! But there’s no place in the house that feels like just the right hiding spot from the storm outside. Hiding places should be quiet, safe, and most of all, cozy. That’s when Ruffles realizes the best place to be is his very own bed where the loud noises—and the storm—don’t feel so scary.

Editor review

1 review

Ruffles and the Thunder Storm

December 16, 2023

Overall rating

4.8

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Ruffles is an energetic dog who likes all kinds of activities, but he does NOT like loud noises! When he hears them, he engages in all kinds of avoidance behaviors, which are brilliantly portrayed in the small sketches; I love Ruffles' "scoot" posture. When the noises are at night, this is even worse, and Ruffles is shown trying to hide in boxes, under mat, and behind a tennis racket. Of course, none of these solutions are very satisfactory, but he does decide to go to his very own bed to ride out the thunderstorm. He is shown making the bed extra cozy by putting blankets in it, and even pulling one over his head! He's able to get some sleep so he has the energy for all of his activities the following morning.

Good Points

I have a ridiculously intense fondness for Ruffles, and Melling's ability to portray the emotions on the pup's face using very few lines just tickles me. There are several pages where Ruffles is shown engaging in a variety of behaviors, and these are just so much fun. There's very little detail in the backgrounds, but this makes the tiny gray and white canine really pop against the red, yellow, and teal of the pages. He's just goofy enough to amuse children and take their minds off their OWN fear of loud noises and storms. This is worth purchasing for the picture of Ruffles in the laundry hamper alone!

I can't seem to find other picture books about being afraid of thunderstorms, but you would think there would be some out there; my one grandmother always told us that thunder was "the angels bowling" and the other told me it was "God's potatoes falling off the wagon", and surely there is a picture book in either or both of those, not that they made a whole lot of sense! It doesn't really matter what a Ruffles book is about, though. They are just so darn cute that you need to read them. If they also offer lessons about feeling safe during storms or tasting new foods (Ruffles and the New Green Thing), that's just a bonus!

Of course, now I sort of need a little stuffed dog that looks like Ruffles. Also, I thought this book would be about Ruffles not wanting to wake up and get out of bed, but that would be more of a book for middle school students rather than for toddlers!