At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard is the second in a children’s series by author Freya Novak in which animals from around the world live together in perfect harmony – well, perfect might be a bit of an exaggeration. The ragtag ensemble includes Dallas Dingo and Queenie Quokka from Australia, Amie Armadillo from North America, Colin Capybara from South America, Oma Okapi and Oona the Ostrich from Africa, and Tiny Tarsier from Southeast Asia. In this adventure, chaos ensues as Dallas Dingo prepares their hotel for an approaching storm. Most of the hotel residents, though, seem oblivious to Dallas’s preparations, interrupting him at every opportunity with their worries about misplaced belongings. However, once the storm passes, they all help Dallas clean up the damage, illustrating the adage that many hands make light work.

At the Ragtag Hotel is a perfect tale to read aloud to youngsters. Its colorful characters and lively story will engage both parent and child and teach important lessons about friendship and working together. Author Freya Novak offers an international feel with her characters and includes some simple words (and their meanings) from other languages to add to her universal message. Anastasiya Halionka’s vivid illustrations capture the story’s motion and mood with angles and swirls that suggest the impending storm. The animals, too, are depicted in a decidedly human way, dressed to the nines, though quite childlike in their demeanors (my favorite is Tiny Tasier), making it easy for kids to identify with them. Without a doubt, At the Ragtag Hotel would be a wonderful choice for any child’s next bedtime read.

It was a busy day for Dallas Dingo. In Freya Novak’s At the Ragtag Hotel, all the guests are coming up with problems for Dallas. There’s a book bag that’s gone missing, a zebra’s special shirt has blown off the clothesline and is stuck on the roof of the shed, a guest faints while trying to help Dallas secure the outdoor furniture as he believes there’s a storm coming, a sink is leaking, and so much more. Dallas is really run off his feet. Preparing for an incoming storm just isn’t going to happen the way things keep holding him back. Dallas may not have the hotel ready to weather a nasty storm, but he has made some good friends among the guests, and they all pitch in to help clean up the mess left behind.

Freya Novak’s picture book, At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard, is a fun story for young readers. Told in simple language and presented in various forms of fonts to add more zest and interest, this story will encourage youngsters to read and improve their language skills. The characters are quirky, and readers will love that the characters are actually animals: one dingo (that’s Dallas) and six different animals. The illustrations by Anastasiya Halionka are bright, bold, and full of zest and fun, a delightful addition to the developing plot. Young readers will be chuckling over the animals and their antics, while secretly hoping that Dallas will manage to fix all the problems and prepare for the incoming storm. Lots of fun and laughter in this little gem of a story!

At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard by Freya Novak brings us straight into a busy, colorful world where a bad storm is about to hit. The story focuses on Dallas Dingo running around like crazy to make the place secure while every single resident interrupts him with a new problem. You watch him jump from one odd job to another: rescuing Oma Okapi's shirt from the shed roof, replacing a washer on Oona Ostrich's leaky sink, and fixing a flickering night light for Tiny Tarsier. It’s a fast-paced, relatable sequence that shows how hard it can be to keep your cool when everyone is asking for help at the same time. In the end, the story reminds young readers that a great leader isn't someone who has everything under control, but someone who stops to help when others need a hand.

Lots of children's books talk about teamwork, but this one lets the characters show it when things go wrong. After the storm blows the shed roof off and knocks over half the courtyard, the hotel guests don't just stand around watching Dallas fix it. Colin Capybara, Queenie Quokka, Amie Armadillo, and the rest of the crew grab brooms, haul tools, and get their hands dirty right alongside him. Anastasiya Halionka's bright, expressive illustrations bring every character to life, capturing the funny chaos in the yard and the warm expressions on every animal's face. Freya Novak also sprinkles in educational touches, weaving in words of thanks, plus a global map and fun animal facts at the end. It’s a sweet, grounded bedtime read for kids that proves how even big messes are easy to clean up when everybody pitches in.

In At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard by Freya Novak, Dallas Dingo has a lot to keep his paws busy. Dallas is used to helping the residents with their everyday problems. This time, he is under severe pressure. A storm is approaching, and Dallas wants to secure everything while helping the residents with their problems. They depend on Dallas for his assistance. Colin Capybara, Oona Ostrich, Queenie Quokka, Tiny Tarsier, Amie Armadillo, and Oma Okapi each had a problem Dallas had to attend to. As the storm comes closer, Dallas is also under pressure to keep the residents safe. Young readers will enjoy the growing sense of urgency and the question of whether Dallas can manage everything before the storm arrives.

At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard by Freya Novak is an entertaining picture book. Dallas is the main character and is always willing to help others. The six residents had their own personalities, and at times I laughed out loud at their actions. The approaching storm kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was turning the pages as fast as I could. The pace is fast, and I could not help but admire Dallas for trying to help everyone. The illustrations by Anastasiya Halionka are bright, colorful, and catch your eye while reading, and they enhanced the story. I enjoyed the fun facts at the end of the book. They were interesting and educational. The book was beautifully written and had my attention from the start. The book was much more than I expected.