The Highway Rat

Synopsis

 

The rollicking adventurous picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.

'Give me your buns and your biscuits!
Give me your chocolate eclairs!
For I am the Rat of the highway,
and the Rat Thief never shares!'

Life is not safe for the other animals, as the villainous Highway Rat gallops along the highway, stealing their food. Clover from a rabbit; nuts from a squirrel - he even steals his own horse's hay.

Will he finally meet his comeuppance, in the form of a cunning duck?

• Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
• A fabulous, rollicking rhyme, in the style of the famous Alfred Noyes poem, 'The Highwayman', from the UK's number one picture book author and illustrator
• Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
• Adventure, friendship and learning to be kind are at the heart of this story
• The Highway Rat has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from David Tennant (Highway Rat), Nina Sosanya (Duck), Rob Brydon (Horse), Tom Hollander (Squirrel) and Frances de la Tour (Rabbit)
• The Smeds and the Smoos is on BBC One at Christmas with voice artists including Bill Bailey (comedian and Strictly winner), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Sally Hawkins (Paddington movies) and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey).
• Look out for The Baddies the wickedly funny new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Praise for The Highway Rat:

'A classic picture book . great to read aloud' BBC Radio 4 'Front Row' 'Donaldson's ear for rhyme is unequalled and Scheffler's busy, funny illustrations make this ideal for reading aloud' Daily Mail

About the Publisher

Alison Green Books

Scholastic is an award-winning publisher of original children's books. Scholastic publishes more than 600 new hardcover, paperback, and novelty books each year. The list includes the phenomenally successful publishing properties Harry Potter? and Captain Underpants?, the beloved series Clifford The Big Red Dog?, Goosebumps?, The 39 Clues?, I Spy?, Bone, The Magic School Bus?, Fly Guy, Geronimo Stilton, and The Hunger Games trilogy.

Summary

The Highway Rat is a children’s book about a greedy rat who travels through each village stealing whatever he can find. At first, everyone ignores him, but eventually he meets a determined duck who won’t stand for his thievery. With her help, the other animals band together and eventually force him to admit defeat.

Chapter 1: The Highway Rat embarks on his journey of thievery, stealing not only from the villagers but also from birds, rabbits, hares, and other animals. When he comes across a duck, he is finally challenged by someone and starts to feel scared. He quickly makes up a lie that he’s looking for dried apricots, which the duck goes off to find.

Chapter 2: As the Highway Rat travels, he discovers more and more animals that have been victims of his thieving. When he reaches a river, he meets a swan who tells him that the other animals have united to fight back against him. The Highway Rat refuses to believe it and continues on his way, determined to get what he wants.

Chapter 3: The rats travels to a wood, and there he is finally confronted by the animals he has stolen from. He is so scared that he has to climb a tall tree to avoid them. The animals build a giant bonfire and demand that he return what he has taken. They offer him a chance to apologize and to leave in peace, but the rat refuses and plans to steal from the animals again.

Chapter 4: The animals decide that they have had enough. They make a plan to steal all of the Highway Rat’s possessions so that he will no longer be able to steal from them. The plan works, and the rat is forced to admit defeat. In the end, the animals are victorious and the Highway Rat learns his lesson.

Chapter 5: The Highway Rat goes back to the forest, but this time he is a changed rat. He has realized the value of sharing and works together with the other animals in order to create a better environment. They all become friends and learn to trust and appreciate each other.

This children’s book teaches its readers valuable lessons about the importance of cooperation, trust, and sharing. Through the story of the Highway Rat, readers are reminded to be kind to one another and that thieving is never the answer. Even in the face of adversity, it is possible to find a way to work together and create a better world for everyone.