*** Warning: This review contains spoilers! ***
This book is aptly named. Even though Ribsy is an important supporting character in all the Henry Huggins books, in this one, he is in the spotlight. If he behaves, Henry can go on a fishing trip with his dad!
For some reason, this book was much more dramatic than any of the other Beverly Cleary books we've read so far. At one point, there is a scene in which Henry is in a bit of a pickle. He is at the playground, and a bunch of mothers gather around him because it looks like Ribsy chased a wailing Ramona up the jungle gym. We readers know that the situation is not at all what it looks like, but the mothers are determined to get Ribsy sent to the pound. Isabelle was so anxious, she actually stood up because she couldn't sit still! She made worried, whining noises, and couldn't bear the suspense - I thought she might even cry! Even though it was like I couldn't read fast enough for her, I had to pause and calm her down, reminding her that Henry is resourceful, and Beverly Cleary wouldn't let anything bad happen to Ribsy! (Thankfully, the resolution was very satisfying, and both Isabelle and I felt relieved!)
The ending of this book also seemed like it was more of a high than any other happy occasion in any of the other books. Henry goes on the fishing trip with his father, and though it started off disappointing, Henry more than made up for it with his big catch! It was such an exciting crescendo that Isabelle and I were practically giddy as we read. And of course, Isabelle said her favorite thing about this book was that Henry caught his fish!
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