Rafael Rattlesnake is really angry with his best friend Bernie Bear. "Could it really be so hard to say sorry?" Bernie thinks. But Rafael learns that sometimes it's not so easy. Rafael Rattlesnake is the 18th of the 26-book Alphabet Friends series - letter-shaped animals from around the world that explore the letters and their sounds in an entertaining and memorable way. Each story is beautifully illustrated with watercolors and explores a moral lesson with humor and engaging interaction. Think Phonics Books meets Mr. Men meets Berenstain Bears! Alphabet Friends books are loved by children of all ages. Toddlers enjoy listening to the stories read aloud. They are engaged by the humorous tales and the beautiful watercolor illustrations, as well as absorb the important moral of the story. They also love to answer the narrator's questions in the story and share their opinions. Children who are becoming curious about letters and words will love to follow along. The featured letter in each book has a subtle change in font so young readers-to-be can delight in recognizing it in so many words. They can be also notice different letter combinations, to begin blending and segmenting many different words. Throughout the story, new words are introduced to improve vocabulary. Early readers can advance their reading skills, becoming more fluid and confident. The font for the featured letter in each book assists recognition and decoding, and there is just enough the word repetition to enhance familiarity without boredom. The engaging stories ensure children keep reading to the end. Children with speech and language difficulties benefit from repetition of the sound that is their personal challenge, in a story that will seem tailored especially for them. The direct questions asked of the readers, aid conversation and enhance fluidity and confidence. Animal lovers and science enthusiasts enjoy the bonus animal facts at the end of each book, which add another layer of interest for readers of every age. Enrichment worksheets are available, with writing practice and activities based on literacy and the story's moral. Join the Alphabet Friends as they have fun learning traditional values, such as friendship, family, acceptance, respect, kindness, honesty, integrity, perseverance, humility, responsibility, good manners, healthy eating, the joy of bath time, and so many more.