I love Tolkien and have read many of his stories over and over, even to my children, nieces and nephews. Tolkien wrote roverandom only for his children, as he did with "Father Christmas Letters" he did not want them to be published. It was a wise wish. Roverandom is not a well written thought about story. It is by far Tolkiens worst. He knew it and is probably still turning in his grave about it being published.
It would be unfair to judge this giant, indeed the GIANT, of fantasy literature by this effort. He died hoping would stay in the attic where he wanted it.
Tolkien is my beloved author, Raverandom is a small stain on an otherwise excellent tapestry.