Leo and Ralph

by Peter Carnavas

Overview

Ever since he was in kindergarten, Leo has had a hard time making friends. He always has so much going on in his head, and his words come out so slowly that the other kids just run off to play without listening to him.

Things are different after he meets Ralph. Ralph is from a different planet, and he loves outer space, just like Leo. The two friends make up their own language and invent other planets. As the early school years go by, Leo and Ralph have such a good time together that Leo’s parents worry that he is not making other friends.

When Leo’s mother gets a job in another town, Leo reluctantly agrees to say goodbye to Ralph. Leo is in a new school now, in a higher grade. But when he doesn’t quite click with his real-life classmates, Ralph comes back, and this time, Leo has to keep his old friend a secret. Until, with the help of his family, his new classmates, and his new teacher, Leo is finally able to say goodbye to Ralph for good.

A stellar novel about space, starting over, and a friendship that's out of this world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781779461018
Publisher:	Groundwood Books
Publication date:	02/03/2026
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

PETER CARNAVAS is an Australian teacher-librarian who writes and illustrates books for young readers. His books have been published widely around the world and have won many awards, including a Queensland Literary Award and the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature at the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards. Peter lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, with his wife, two daughters, a dog and a cat.

Read an Excerpt

Ralph took a deep breath. “… if one of my ships comes to get me, you’ll never see me again. It’ll be goodbye forever, and not because your parents said so. I’ll be gone because you won’t need me anymore.”

Leo scuffed the concrete with his shoe. “That won’t ever happen. I’ll always need you…. What will happen to you when I go to Dundle?”

“Doesn’t matter,” said Ralph. “Your parents told you to say goodbye, so that’s what we’ll do.”

“But you won’t disappear in a big soccer ball just yet?”

Ralph shook his furry head.

“Good,” said Leo. “I’ve got an idea.”

He told Ralph the plan. Ralph wasn’t sure at first, but Leo talked him around. They made their secret promise, gathered Leo’s lunch things, then raced back to the classroom before they got into trouble.