Children will see themselves in these drawings. This book has simple child-like drawings with details that everyone will recognize a classroom full of student work, Daisy as she smugly explains to Ralph that she has a story, and Ralph's changing expressions as he tries to think about something, anything to write. Quality children's picture books should have text and visuals that work together to help to tell the story. Ralph's teacher is kind, encouraging and the kids in the class ask questions until Ralph finds his story. Daisy has written tons of stories about Ralph. Ralph's teacher tells him stories are everywhere, but he just doesn't have them. The poses and faces of the kids tell it all and work perfectly with the text to visualize the words. The illustrations are done in watercolour and coloured pencil and are soft and friendly. He puts pencil to paper and churns out story after story feeling confident enough about his skills to even give tips to others as to how to be a competent writer. Everyone cheers him on and asks to see his picture and from that moment on Ralph morphs into a writer extraordinaire.

Ralph's imagination gets sparked by the questions and he tells a tale that impresses the whole group. His friend Daisy perks up and starts asking him questions, 'Was it squishy Ralph?', others asked, ' Did your mom let you keep it?' 'Did you give it a name?' and on and on and on. He begins by introducing the kids to the inchworm and then. Ever so slowly he heads to the front, dreading to tell his story. the teacher calls on Ralph to share first.

When his overzealous teacher calls all the writers forward to share their stories Ralph sits on his paper and tries to disappear into the carpet. That seems like an idea he can work with but alas he cannot create farther than that thought. As he is reflecting in his little hideaway he is reminded of going to the park and finding an inchworm. Finally despondent Ralph just crawls forlornly under his desk, ready to pack it all in, and label himself.hopeless. He starts looking outside the classroom into the hallways, wants to visit the lunchroom ladies, checks out the aquarium and everything around him for ideas, but finds nothing to trigger his story. She proudly staples her masterpiece together leaving poor Ralph feeling quite overwhelmed.

He tries, he really does try, to get inspired and is quite intimidated by his friend Daisy's thirteen page book which includes a lot of stories about him. When Ralph's teacher tells her class that stories are everywhere just waiting to be captured, all the kids in the class get on board and start to write.all the kids.except Ralph.

This wonderful, inspirational book by debut author/ illustrator, Abby Hanlon, is a must for every primary classroom.

Abby hanlon author