[.ca] Rude Ramsay and the Roaring Radishes (ISBN 1582349509)

Amazon.ca:
A carrot-topped lad named Rude Ramsay yearns to escape the confines of his miserable life in a "ramshackle rectangular residence," surrounded by an impenetrable rampart with his insufferable relatives, Ron, Rollo, and Ruby. Worse than their rum consumption and relentless playing of rock & roll records is the horrible food they prepare: roach-riddled rice, rancid raisins, and reeking reindeer rinds are just a few of their specialties. Aided by his sole friend, Ralph the red-nosed rat, Rude Ramsay escapes the imposing rampart in search of better culinary offerings, encountering a patch of roaring radishes, a romantic rectory, and their owner, the raven-haired Rillah. With each other's encouragement and help, Ramsay, Ralph, and Rillah manage to find happiness on the sunny side of the rampart. Margaret Atwood, the internationally successful author of over 30 books of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, places a heavy emphasis on alliteration and a lot of grown-up words to spin this tale of positive rebellion. While adults will appreciate Atwood's trademark sly wit and humour, holding young children's interest in the story may depend on the interpretive skills of the narrator and the appeal of Dusan Petricic's expansive illustrations, which range from dark and dingy to light and uplifting. (All ages) --Martha Johnson