Ruffles and the New Green Thing

Praise

Melling’s third outing with this expressive, inquisitive puppy is delightful; neatly outlined sequential pencil vignettes of Ruffles poking at the broccoli cleverly bring to life his consternation. Youngsters reluctant to eat their veggies may identify, but they will absolutely appreciate Ruffles and Ralph’s adorable antics. . . . Perfect for picky eaters and puppy lovers.
—Kirkus Reviews

Toddlers who are skeptical of strange foods will find validation in the form of a small patch-eyed dog named Ruffles, whom David Melling introduced to the world in ‘Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat’ (2021). ‘Ruffles and the New Green Thing’ finds the inquisitive and rambunctious pup rather daunted by the appearance of a stalk of broccoli in his dog bowl. . . . Mr. Melling’s expressive, unadorned pictures show Ruffles’s uneasiness and his thrilled relief when his Dalmatian friend Ralph comes to play. Whatever our hero’s hero likes to do, our hero also wants to do. It takes the visiting pup but one bite of the new green thing to show Ruffles that he can try it too. And what do you know? In no time ‘the new green thing is all gone.’ This understanding little book would be a good one to encourage the finicky to brave the unfamiliar.
—The Wall Street Journal

Ruffles – author/illustrator David Melling’s button-nosed pup with a wonderfully expressive face – returns for a new adventure with a mysterious green vegetable lurking in his food bowl, perfect for young people who might also be facing a bit of new-food panic.
—The Virginian Pilot