Ralph is (not) a Superhero: 1 [Illustrated] [Paperback]

I found myself forcing RALPH IS (NOT) A SUPERHERO upon any small person I could find. The story is incredibly witty and engaging, with illustrations that just bring the narrative to life. It addresses a number of relationships in a child's life and the fundamental issue of -who am I?. Incredible depth so subtly delivered to the young reader, but well acknowledged by parents. Let's hope that Ralph is spurred onto more adventures, before my copy becomes too thumbed for words! --Rachel Timms, author of WHATEVER YOU WANT, MacMillan, Bestseller 2003- Amazon Top 100

You are gaining a large following of fans here in Oxford. This splendid little gem appeals to a wide range for reading aloud, alone or together. Young people are enjoying the balance of humour with characters they easily recognise, written in a language they relate to... Corinne Davies cleverly engages readers with fun while leaving them pleased to have passed time between the pages. El Ashfield's illustrations enhance the upbeat text. When is your next book out? We can't wait. --Stella Oakes, Assistant Director, Schools Library Services, UK.

One of the best children's books I've read... it's funny, witty, pleasantly moralistic and wickedly silly. --Tony Cook, ABCTales.com

You are gaining a large following of fans here in Oxford. This splendid little gem appeals to a wide range for reading aloud, alone or together. Young people are enjoying the balance of humour with characters they easily recognise, written in a language they relate to... Corinne Davies cleverly engages readers with fun while leaving them pleased to have passed time between the pages. El Ashfield's illustrations enhance the upbeat text. When is your next book out? We can't wait. --Stella Oakes, Assistant to Schools Library Service.

I found myself forcing RALPH IS (NOT) A SUPERHERO upon any small person I could find. The story is incredibly witty and engaging, with illustrations that just bring the narrative to life. It addresses a number of relationships in a child's life and the fundamental issue of -who am I?. Incredible depth so subtly delivered to the young reader, but well acknowledged by parents. Let's hope that Ralph is spurred onto more adventures, before my copy becomes too thumbed for words --Rachel Timms, author of WHATEVER YOU WANT, MacMillan Bestseller 2003, Amazon Top 100

You are gaining a large following of fans here in Oxford. This splendid little gem appeals to a wide range for reading aloud, alone or together. Young people are enjoying the balance of humour with characters they easily recognise, written in a language they relate to... Corinne Davies cleverly engages readers with fun while leaving them pleased to have passed time between the pages. El Ashfield's illustrations enhance the upbeat text. When is your next book out? We can't wait.

"I have had a look at your original version and really liked it"

My two girls, 6 and 4 were glued to the story. I have been recommending this to all my baby signing mums and will be adding copies into the nephews and nieces Christmas parcels! We are all hoping for lots more adventures.

Will inspire every child to find the superhero hidden inside of them. More Ralph soon please!

Ralph is a quiet, studious boy who nobody even notices. When, one night, he dreams he's actually a superhero, his sister and classmates all laugh. However, when a series of miraculous events occur around him, everybody starts to believe in his superpowers. Everyone, that is...except Ralph!

This story was originally written for the author's godson. It is a tale of accepting being different, daring to dream and highlights that there is a superhero hidden in us all, whether we believe it or not! El's brilliant illustrations bring the characters to life for children everywhere, alongside emphasising the comedy of the tale.

Corinne Davies is both a playwright and writer of children's poetry, who once met El on a comedy course! She can also do the splits and furthermore is both ginger and Welsh.
El Ashfield is a freelance illustrator and animator. She likes yoghurt (pronounced yughurt), frogs and spiders and rock n' roll. Happily unmarried and living in Northernmost London.
Marina Bowater is a graphic designer of Russian origin who speaks Japanese and is married to an Englishman. She is into train stations and photography.

"This is all most enjoyable...but when are you going to get a 'proper job'?" (The author's mother)
"The author's humour is only surpassed by her ability to forget my birthday" (The author's ex-best-friend)
"A warmly humourous, thoroughly enjoyable yarn for aspirant super heroes both young and old - now stop twisting my arm!" (The illustrator's boyfriend)

Corinne Davies began writing poetry at the age of five, with an award winning poem about a small white rabbit called 'Snowy'. Recognised for her ability to tell lightly moralistic tales through the use of comic verse, her stories are accessible to the very young but are equally enjoyed by parents everywhere. Addionally Corinne has both written and directed comedy sketches and showcased scenes from her first play 'A Stag Named Angus' in both London (Hampstead Theatre) and Edinburgh (The Roxy Art House.) 'A Stag Named Angus' then enjoyed a four night run at the Roxy in 2005, receiving positive reviews: 'The humour is wonderfully subtle and well balanced'. Evening News.
Corinne has recently completed her first novel 'Pride and Potatoes' and her second collaboration with El Ashfield 'Trucilla's Wedding Cake' is also near completion with further collaborations in the pipeline.

CHAPTER 1: SCHOOL AND DREAMS AND STUFF

Young Ralph was not that popular, at school he had few friends.
He wasn't fast or good at sports, but tried to make amends,
By keeping out of people's way and trying to be kind.
At break time he was always quite impossible to find.

He'd stay outside and read a book, or maybe practice chess.
For it might rain, or might be fine, but Ralph could not care less.
He'd hide inside the library, until the bell would sound.
As just outside the older boys all threw themselves around.

Ralph's sister found him bothersome and terribly un-cool.
She tried to just ignore him if their paths should cross at school.
"So where's your swotty brother?" all the older girls would ask.
She tried in vain, to get poor Ralph to always wear a mask!

But then one night Ralph had a dream, that turned his world around.
He dreamt that he was flying many miles above the ground.
He fought with baddies, rescued pets, was brave and super strong...
and woke up in a sweat and questioned if his dream was wrong.

"Last night I dreamed I was a superhero!" Ralph declared,
Arriving down for breakfast, as his older sister glared,
"So what's your uniform like Ralph? ... in red or maybe blue?"
"Don't laugh at me!" said Ralph "or else I'll use my powers on YOU!"

Ralph's sister walked out laughing and his mother shook her head.
"Your special powers are only real when you're asleep in bed".
"But mum, I flew and walked through walls and I was pretty cool!"
"That's great," replied Ralph's mum "but now it's time to go to school."

"Now class, you must all listen for tomorrow there will be,
A poetry competition and I need your help, you see.
Together we must choose the person whom we all think best.
To represent our class and to annihilate all the rest.

"I'll volunteer to read!" said Ralph, the class all turned, surprised.
"You hate to read. "But you're too quiet and useless Ralph!" they cried.
"I know that I can do this, miss, if you give me the chance!"
And Ralph rose, adopting his new superhero stance.