Ruffleclaw

September 1, 2015
Ruffleclaw, an "earth monster," is obsessed with human things-which 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 pet-after 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 stay...and 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)

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November 1, 2015

Gr 2-4-Ruffleclaw is a shaggy, red earth monster who lives in a burrow under an old tool shed, but unlike his friends Shaggystink and Wormtooth, who think humans are disgusting, Ruffleclaw is inexplicably drawn to the bright lights and jingly music of the human house. So one night when his friends are off digging up woodlice for dinner, Ruffleclaw decides to sneak off to live with the humans. Tommy, the young boy, soon decides he'd like to keep Ruffleclaw, but convincing his mother that the spitting, shampoo-eating, smelly monster would make a good pet is another matter altogether. Spot illustrations by the author add to the humor of Funke's text. VERDICT This is a winningly unique chapter book starring a lovable monster with whom young readers will empathize.-Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2015
Grades 3-5 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)