Ralphie, Always Loved

Beautifully illustrated in full color, Ralphie, Always Loved celebrates the life of a dog who perfected the art of loving and reminds us that love never ends.

Ralphie had been returned to the shelter three times when Andrea Yerramilli and her husband adopted him. He was rambunctious and hyperactive, it was by no means certain that he would ever be appreciated for the loving dog he was. But when he was taken home to a loving environment, understood, redirected, taught, and accepted, he learned fast.

As the family grew, so did Ralphie’s capacity for love and the ways he expressed it. Through additions to the family, and losses, he remained both loving and loved until, as a grand old dog of sixteen, he touched the hearts of the whole neighborhood.

Ralphie, Always Loved tells Ralphie’s story. It will reach deep into the corners of your heart, remind you of all that is good, and reaffirm your belief in the power of love to transform and uplift throughout life’s cycle of birth, growth, maturity and death.

Praise for Ralphie, Always Loved

A rare occurrence

It’s a rare occurrence when a book comes along that not only teaches a lesson and gives children something to truly enjoy, but also fills the heart with love. This is that book.


The illustrations are adorable and the words are kind, loving and filled with emotion. [T]his reviewer believes Ralphie is a book that moves from the category of lovely to award-winning. It is a fact that the love, respect, admiration, and kindness dogs bring to our lives is something that goes beyond the norm; they are truly a gift from Heaven, and this author/illustrator team has put on paper what dog owners everywhere feel with all their hearts.


Quill says: You need to jump on board with the many other passengers out there who, I am quite sure, have already fallen absolutely in love with Ralphie!

Children's Picture Books -
Feathered Quill Book Review

2017-12-16T05:35:05+00:00

Children's Picture Books -
Feathered Quill Book Review

It’s a rare occurrence when a book comes along that not only teaches a lesson and gives children something to truly enjoy, but also fills the heart with love. This is that book. The illustrations are adorable and the words are kind, loving and filled with emotion. [T]his reviewer believes Ralphie is a book that moves from the category of lovely to award-winning. It is a fact that the love, respect, admiration, and kindness dogs bring to our lives is something that goes beyond the norm; they are truly a gift from Heaven, and this author/illustrator team has put on paper what dog owners everywhere feel with all their hearts. Quill says: You need to jump on board with the many other passengers out there who, I am quite sure, have already fallen absolutely in love with Ralphie!

Warm Sensitive

Warm, sensitive colored illustrations show Ralphie frolicking with his loving family, of East Indian origin, and enjoying his doggy life to the fullest. "Ralphie, Always Loved"...will bring so much love and light to the hearts of all its readers.

~ Midwest Book Review
2018-04-19T06:00:19+00:00
Warm, sensitive colored illustrations show Ralphie frolicking with his loving family, of East Indian origin, and enjoying his doggy life to the fullest. "Ralphie, Always Loved"...will bring so much love and light to the hearts of all its readers. ~ Midwest Book Review

Celebrate ‘Love Your Pet Day’

Celebrate 'Love Your Pet Day' on February 20 with Ralphie Always Loved by Andrea Yerramilli. This colorful and upbeat picture book will win the hearts of everyone who loves dogs, enjoys dog rescue stories, and is a child at heart. Read More

Allison Book Bag

2018-04-19T06:11:23+00:00

Allison Book Bag

Celebrate 'Love Your Pet Day' on February 20 with Ralphie Always Loved by Andrea Yerramilli. This colorful and upbeat picture book will win the hearts of everyone who loves dogs, enjoys dog rescue stories, and is a child at heart. Read More

If you’re a dog lover

If you're a dog lover (or know someone who is -- this is the Christmas season, after all), then you'll want to check out Andrea Yerramilli's children's book, RALPHIE, ALWAYS LOVED from About Something Good press. With charming illustrations by Samantha van Riet, this children's book is dedicated to the real Ralphie who inspired Yerramilli to write his story. Now Ralphie's memory will live with you as well.

Critical Blast

2017-12-16T05:34:15+00:00

Critical Blast

If you're a dog lover (or know someone who is -- this is the Christmas season, after all), then you'll want to check out Andrea Yerramilli's children's book, RALPHIE, ALWAYS LOVED from About Something Good press. With charming illustrations by Samantha van Riet, this children's book is dedicated to the real Ralphie who inspired Yerramilli to write his story. Now Ralphie's memory will live with you as well.

Bright COlorful

Bright colorful illustrations complement this story of Ralphie’s life. This would be a good book for a family preparing to adopt a dog.

Youth Services Book Review, which is dedicated to providing book reviews for MA librarians and the world

2017-12-16T05:33:21+00:00

Youth Services Book Review, which is dedicated to providing book reviews for MA librarians and the world

Bright colorful illustrations complement this story of Ralphie’s life. This would be a good book for a family preparing to adopt a dog.

Dogs are family

Ralphie touched the hearts of so many on Instagram and was a true testament to what pure love was. This book is heartfelt, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Ralphie's legacy lives on, as he inspires others to adopt, not shop. Dogs are family, and Ralphie will always be loved by his.

Jarissa Aquinde,
Rescue Dog Mom, Editor - Positively Woof

2017-10-13T13:11:10+00:00

Jarissa Aquinde,
Rescue Dog Mom, Editor - Positively Woof

Ralphie touched the hearts of so many on Instagram and was a true testament to what pure love was. This book is heartfelt, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Ralphie's legacy lives on, as he inspires others to adopt, not shop. Dogs are family, and Ralphie will always be loved by his.

A Heart Melting Tale

The story of Ralphie Always Loved is a heart melting tale of a shelter dog's journey. Being a dog owner myself, I loved reading this sweet book. It will be meaningful to any family that loves their pet.

Julie Woods,
Pre School Teacher and Dog Mom

2017-09-12T10:37:20+00:00

Julie Woods,
Pre School Teacher and Dog Mom

The story of Ralphie Always Loved is a heart melting tale of a shelter dog's journey. Being a dog owner myself, I loved reading this sweet book. It will be meaningful to any family that loves their pet.

A Sweet Book

Andrea writes from her own life experience and enormous heart. Ralphie offers an opportunity for young readers to make multiple connections with themselves and other books they have read. Any child who doesn’t have a dog will want one after reading this sweet book!

Tricia Huppert,
Reading Specialist, San Diego

2017-09-12T10:36:37+00:00

Tricia Huppert,
Reading Specialist, San Diego

Andrea writes from her own life experience and enormous heart. Ralphie offers an opportunity for young readers to make multiple connections with themselves and other books they have read. Any child who doesn’t have a dog will want one after reading this sweet book!

Dogfather

The love between a dog and its family knows no bounds, as witnessed by Ralphie the ‘dogfather’ and the Yerramillis. Ralphie, Always Loved takes us on the journey of the unconditional love shared by a wonderful family and their beloved dog. May we all be fortunate enough to experience the kind of love seen here.

M. Carter,
MD and Pet Mom

2017-09-12T10:36:14+00:00

M. Carter,
MD and Pet Mom

The love between a dog and its family knows no bounds, as witnessed by Ralphie the ‘dogfather’ and the Yerramillis. Ralphie, Always Loved takes us on the journey of the unconditional love shared by a wonderful family and their beloved dog. May we all be fortunate enough to experience the kind of love seen here.

A Beautiful Tribute

What a beautiful tribute to Ralphie! He will live forever in this book. I’m excited that kids reading Ralphie’s story will see that adopting a homeless dog is the way to go, and I hope that parents will use the book to teach their children to Adopt, don’t shop!

Kim Alfred,
The Rescued Dog, San Diego

2017-09-12T10:35:24+00:00

Kim Alfred,
The Rescued Dog, San Diego

What a beautiful tribute to Ralphie! He will live forever in this book. I’m excited that kids reading Ralphie’s story will see that adopting a homeless dog is the way to go, and I hope that parents will use the book to teach their children to Adopt, don’t shop!

A Beautiful Book

Even though I had the privilege of knowing Ralphie, I fell in love all over again. This is a story of patience and understanding, of love given and love received. A beautiful book.

Karen Soares,
DVM, VCA Pacific Petcare Animal Hospital

2017-09-12T10:29:24+00:00

Karen Soares,
DVM, VCA Pacific Petcare Animal Hospital

Even though I had the privilege of knowing Ralphie, I fell in love all over again. This is a story of patience and understanding, of love given and love received. A beautiful book.

Four Paws Up

Four paws up for the story of Ralphie! This tale of everlasting love proves that sometimes the dog we rescue ends up rescuing us. Ralphie’s story will make you smile and cheer and want to hug your own pup a little closer.

Jill Baker,
Data Guru and Rescue -  Dog Mom

2017-09-12T10:24:32+00:00

Jill Baker,
Data Guru and Rescue -  Dog Mom

Four paws up for the story of Ralphie! This tale of everlasting love proves that sometimes the dog we rescue ends up rescuing us. Ralphie’s story will make you smile and cheer and want to hug your own pup a little closer.

A Heartwarming Tale

A heartwarming tale of love, patience, wisdom, and the circle of life. It takes patience to love a puppy and wisdom to say goodbye to an old dog with grace. I was honored to know Ralphie and the author and heartened to see another aspect of their lives.

Beth Hunton,
DVM

2017-09-12T10:18:05+00:00

Beth Hunton,
DVM

A heartwarming tale of love, patience, wisdom, and the circle of life. It takes patience to love a puppy and wisdom to say goodbye to an old dog with grace. I was honored to know Ralphie and the author and heartened to see another aspect of their lives.

A Rare and Valuable Book

This is a story for those who have loved and have been loved in return. It is a tale that teaches us when a dear friend passes on; there is unending inspiration and love left behind. Written in simplistic, beautiful prose accompanied by heartwarming illustrations, this story welcomes you in to experience the love of this family, as it grows to include their beloved pup Ralphie. Ralphie Always Loved illuminates a difficult topic for children in a way that consoles, enlightens, and mends your heart like nothing else could. A rare and valuable book for teachers and parents alike!

Joanne Jacobson,
Teacher & Reading Specialist

2017-09-12T10:15:04+00:00

Joanne Jacobson,
Teacher & Reading Specialist

This is a story for those who have loved and have been loved in return. It is a tale that teaches us when a dear friend passes on; there is unending inspiration and love left behind. Written in simplistic, beautiful prose accompanied by heartwarming illustrations, this story welcomes you in to experience the love of this family, as it grows to include their beloved pup Ralphie. Ralphie Always Loved illuminates a difficult topic for children in a way that consoles, enlightens, and mends your heart like nothing else could. A rare and valuable book for teachers and parents alike!

About the Author

Andrea Yerramilli is a former marketing professional who is a mom to kids – both with and without fur. She has an abiding commitment to finding the good in everything and believes that the sense of belonging to someone’s heart is what makes us feel complete; that kindness goes a long way; and that when things happen that you don’t understand, keeping your mind and heart open can help.

In her debut book she shares her special connection with her dog Ralphie, who turned her perfectly perfect life on its ear from the moment he came home from the shelter, and enriched it until he was ready to say good-bye. And somehow all of that was exactly as it should have been. Andrea lives in New Jersey with her husband and children. Visit her on the web: www.andreayerramilli.com and on twitter @andieyerramilli

To visit Ralphie on Instagram, please go to @ralphiealwaysloved

About the Illustrator

Samantha Van Riet is an author, illustrator, and graphic designer with more than twenty published books to her credit. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa. Visit her on the web at www.samvanriet.co.za

Behind the scenes, Ralphie’s team:
Simone Kaplan: Editor (www.picturebookpeople.com)
Polly Kanevsky : Art Director (www.pollykanevsky.com)
Ajay Pillai: Web Design (www.design-works.in)
Gita Sethi
Shekhar Yerramilli

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