More exciting yet less touching than The Mouse and the Motorcycle. The inclusion of other animals was indeed interesting. However, the new boy, whom we'll refer to as Not Keith, remained physically and emotionally distant from Ralph and the readers for a considerable amount of time. There are also more human characters, and the girls are not just moms and housekeepers anymore, which is a positive change.
Unfortunately, the expanded cast and the slim size of the book mean that we don't form a deep bond with anyone.
This book truly sparked my kiddo's imagination with unforgettable scenes of adventure and peril. But it failed to capture my heart in the same way as its predecessor did. Nevertheless, it was still a great reading experience.
Overall, while it had its strengths in terms of excitement and expanded characters, it fell short in the area of emotional connection. But for kids who love adventure stories, it's definitely a worthy read.
