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Leo & Ralph
by Peter Carnavas
Published by UQP (University of Queensland Press)
ISBN 9780702266218
In this warm kind story, Leo has been friends with Ralph ever since Ralph flew down from one of Jupiter's moons. They both love looking through Leo's telescope into the wonders of the big endless sky together, discovering all sorts of interesting things.
We meet the best friends on their last day together, just as Leo and his family are moving away, to their new life and home in a small country town.
These two love talking backwards to each other, it's their special communication. Leo ad Ralph don't want to say goodbye to each other, so in their own indomitable way of talking backwards, they end the evening and their day time together as if they will see each other tomorrow. Except they both know they won't really see each other again, or do they.
Their special bond and friendship comes across when Leo and his family arrive in their new town and the last thing that he wants to do is go through the whole process of. making new friends. Leo feels that once he has got his special friend he doesn't need any others. But that was about to change when he started going to his new school, even if he did drift off into a world of his own, in the playground and in the classroom.
His younger sister Peg, who is goes to kindy, has quite the opposite personality, she is always pleased to join in the fun at school, even taking charge in some games and paying with friends. Leo so wished he could be like his younger sister. He reckoned that she would win that Star of the Day award next that other kids in his class had won!
A creative, thoughtful, empathetic story giving an insight into how others feel and what works for them. Leo's fun of having an imaginary friend and then gradually finding his way in new situations and connecting with others to form firm and happy friendships, enjoying all the fun in his new home town.
See the video of Peter Carnavas creating Leo and Ralph.
