The Right One for Roderic

by Violeta Noy

What happens when one little ghost wants to stand out?

All ghosts wear white sheets. That’s just what ghosts do. White sheets are good for haunting people, and they make the ghosts feel like part of one big family. But one little ghost named Roderic wants to wear something different. He tries all sorts of things: a bag, a rug, a boot. Can he find the right one for him? Find out in this colorful picture book from debut author-illustrator Violeta Noy.

Genres: Picture Books, Ghosts, Halloween, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 9, 2019

About the author

Violeta Noy is an illustrator from Barcelona who makes books, prints, and websites. She studied fine art at Universitat de Barcelona and recently completed an MA in illustration at Falmouth University. Violeta Noy collaborates with Núria Pla under the name of Tàndem.

Reviews

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book teaches how it's okay to be different. It's okay to be yourself, have your own style and be happy with whom you are. It also teaches that change is good.

These lessons are taught in this book by the youngest ghost of a really large family, showing that even adults can learn from kids. Speaking up and telling adults about something that's important to you is discovered and has a great outcome.

Many great lessons told in a picture book using short sentences and colorful, one-dimensional illustrations. Although themed with ghosts, this story could be told any time of the year, but, it would make for a great Halloween book.

An excellent picture book for first-time readers.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderic is a ghost. But he doesn't like his sheet. So he takes it off - which creates quite a stir! I think the concept is funny and kids will find it funny right along with you. In a large family of ghosts, Roderic has to find his spot - kids will relate.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Right One for Roderic by Violeta Noy. PICTURE BOOK. Kings Road Publishing (Candlewick Press), 2019. $17. 9781536205725

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Roderic is a little ghost in a big family and he feels like no one sees him. He tries to get noticed by wearing hats and extravagant clothing. Finally he finds a sheet that has patterns on it and realizes this is his perfect fit.

The humor in this book was a bit lost on my young reader because I had to keep explaining that ghosts wearing sheets is itself a joke. As a more mature reader, I found it funny, but it is a weakness of an author to not be able to take a child through the humor.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little ghost is determined to stand out.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Roderic feels unseen and overlooked by this family, and he doesn't like that he looks like them. In an effort to be noticed he tries on different items as clothing which gets negative responses from his family and he doesn't like how they feel. Until he puts everything on, but that doesn't get him the attention he wants so he gets angry, and essentially throws a ghostly temper tantrum. He finds something-we aren't told what- and declares he likes wearing it and doesn't care what his family thinks. Magically they like this, accept it and decide they all need to wear stuff to mark themselves as individuals as well.

the 'be yourself', 'wear what you want', 'don't let others influence your choices' messages are all here. But I also feel that rather than addressing why he feels overlooked Roderick just acts out. If children feel overlooked a dramatic wardrobe change may get them attention, but not always the right kind and it will only last while they wear those items. Roderic didn't change how people saw him, he just made his appearance louder.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderic feels overlooked among his large extended family and uses clothing to try to stand out.

Roderic was the smallest ghost in the largest family that had ever lived through the centuries.

Poor Roderic is the youngest child in a very large family, which makes him feel insignificant. To make matters worse, he is also one of many Roderics, which makes him feel overshadowed.

So, Roderic decides to attract more attention by jazzing up his appearance. His first attempts don't go over well. Finally, he hits upon an outfit that is both ghost appropriate and unique. His new fashion even inspires some of his relatives.

Many young readers will relate to Roderic's experience of not feeling seen by their family members and/other the members of any group to which they belong. They may have a similar desire to attract the spotlight to themselves. This will provide them with the opportunity to reflect upon their own lives.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roderic, a young ghost, comes from a large family, so large in fact that he isn't even the first Roderic. He's tired of feeling invisible and overlooked by his relatives who all wear white sheets. So he starts looking for different ways to express himself. He tries hats and scarves and rugs, but nothing feels quite right. And after his family tells him to stick with the white sheet, he runs away hoping someone will notice his new style. But no one does. Finally with his family's help Roderic finds a place he belongs with his own unique style. The theme of finding your own voice and style is very clear in this rather cute book. Using ghosts as the main characters makes the idea of learning to stand out all the more clear, which works well for the intended audience. The illustrations are cute and work well with the tone of the story.

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderick is tired of being small and is tired of being unnoticeable by his family/friends. This story follow this small ghost as he navigates his world and tries to find ways to standout from the rest. First he tries hats, scarves and finally lands on a poncho. However his family doesn't like this much because this is just not what ghosts do. They wear sheets that's it. In the end, Roderick finds a way to be an individual, stand out, and teach other ghosts that it's ok to be different. We randomly grabbed this story at our local library and it is delightful. We love the different outfits Roderick tries on and we really enjoyed the end when each ghost had their own style. Not one ghost being the same. The illustrations are very simple but it works.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the first edition of this book in the U.S., a 'ghostly' tale by Violeta Noy about young Roderic who is the fourth Roderick and among all the ghosts wearing white sheets, is tired of being missed. Noy shows quite a creative flair for illustrating white ghosts, but thank goodness this young ghost wants to be different. He tried a lot of ideas that do not work, but finally, finds a way to be different and insists that's the way he wants to be. When kids like standing out from the crowd, this time readers will love applauding Roderick for his persistence and courage!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderic is the smallest ghost in a large family of ghosts. He is mostly ignored and decides to make himself stand out with his new clothes. But his family doesn't approve and he goes to live in the city where people will appreciate his sense of style. No one even noticed. When his family found him, he was all alone and cold. He went home and put on another plain white sheet. Again he tried on odd things to help him stand out. It was until an accident caused an apple tablecloth to fall over him that he found the perfect sheet.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, lovely story about a little ghost named Roderic. He is part of a very prolific ghost family - in fact, they are "the largest family that had ever lived through the centuries". He begins to jazz up his outfit, changing up his white sheet for something more attention-grabbing (an adorably weird scarf-poncho-chef hat combo). Alas, his family still doesn't notice! What can Roderic do to properly express himself? The theme of standing up for yourself is nicely unveiled as the book goes on, and the images are adorable and witty i.e. my favourite combination!

[Lauren Krebs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a little ghost named Roderic who is tired of blending in and feeling like he is forgotten by his family. So, Roderic takes off his white sheet and tries out many different things to cover himself with that would make him standout. He tried on things such as a rug, scarf, table cloth, shower curtain, etc. I think this would be a great book to read aloud to your class and talk about how we are excepting of all in this classroom and everyone will be known. I think this book is best suited for children between the ages of 4-8.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just the cutest book!! This is about a little ghost names Roderic, who is the smallest ghost in his family. He was sick of wearing just the white sheet and not being noticed by his family, so he tried many different ways to try to be different and noticed. He couldn't find anything that worked or that his family approved of. He got very emotional and things started flying everywhere, and eventually he has this decorated sheet land on top of him. He loved it, and that's what he decides to wear! This isn't the hardest read, so I feel like it would be good for like K-2 age.

[Eadie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a Halloween contest. What happens when one little ghost wants to stand out? All ghosts wear white sheets. That?s just what ghosts do. White sheets are good for haunting people, and they make the ghosts feel like part of one big family. But one little ghost named Roderic wants to wear something different. He tries all sorts of things: a bag, a rug, a boot. Can he find the right one for him? Find out in this colorful picture book from debut author-illustrator Violeta Noy.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great message for all kids and especially for those who express themselves uniquely. The illustrations were lovely. I wasn't quite sold on the randomness of making this a ghost story, I felt like it could have been any creature and possibly made more sense than trying to explain what a ghost is and how one could be a child. That could just be me, though.

[Sadia Mansoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of an adorable, tiny ghost who doesn't like his look.. aka "white sheet" that he's wearing all the time. He wants to be different. He wants to stand out. He wants people to notice him..
Read it here to know what he does in order to gain attention and be different from the rest.. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awBbr...

[Rida · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a great book about being original and it doesn't matter if no one else thinks so as long as you feel good and you're not breaking any rules. As long as no one gets hurt then it should be alright.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderic lives with his family of ghosts. He is the smallest one. All the ghosts have always worn white sheets, but Roderic starts wearing other clothes even though his family does not approve. Kind of funny story.

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute pics

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story about a ghost who wanted to be different and wear clothes. Would make a great elementary read aloud about being yourself.

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violeta Noy’s The Right One For Roderic is a heartfelt and empowering celebration of embracing one’s differences and always being yourself. Little readers will delight in Noy’s simple, yet sweetly and effectively delivered text and message, and be amused by the boldly colored and humorously detailed illustrations.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute cover. Unfortunately, the inside illustrations are kind of a mess, and the story is meh.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderic the ghost doesn't want to wear a sheet like everyone else he wants to find his own style of clothing. Elementary and up

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theme: not spooky Halloween, ghosts, being yourself

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderic is a little ghost in a big family. He wants to do something that makes him stand out and be his own person.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your average ghost story. Some cool messaging here about embracing diversity and uniqueness.

[Austyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story, but could have been better had the illustrations been done with real paper cutouts rather than drawn digitally.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute. A good one for being different.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story about a ghost not fitting in then learning to embrace his uniqueness, done in a charming cute way with bold colorful pictures.