How does a cookie-baking Rat named Bob save his tail from being gobbled by two hungry cats? By serving them cookies and telling them fantastic fair...
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reviews
Oct 14, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
I read this to my children at bedtime over the course of a few days. They enjoyed it, although this was somewhat of a suprise to me - I thought they were just spacing out and not paying attention while I was reading it.
And even though I was the one reading it, by the time the next night came I had already forgotten who was who and where we were in the story. I thought it was kind of boring.
The story is about a rat who is caught by two cats. In order to avoid getting ea More...
And even though I was the one reading it, by the time the next night came I had already forgotten who was who and where we were in the story. I thought it was kind of boring.
The story is about a rat who is caught by two cats. In order to avoid getting ea More...
Feb 04, 2012
Erica
rated it: 
Book talk: Meet Bob. Bob loves reading and baking. Bob is also a rat, and he is about to become dinner. When Bob is surprised by two cats it's his cookies that distract them at first, but what really saves his tail are his tales. It all starts with his great-great grandfather Sherman who climbed a beanstalk and saved a magic goose from a giant. Bob is a good story teller and as each story ends he leaves a tantalizing hook for the next and the cats decide to put off killing him for just a lit
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Feb 22, 2011
Corinna
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A very cute mixed-up fairy tales collection. I believe this is especially great as a read aloud. The book is structured as stories that a desperate rat tells to distract to two cats from eating him for dinner. The illustrations are fun and appropriate to the story.
Jun 22, 2008
george
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Bob is a charming, smart, handsome, book-loving rat who is about to be eaten by two large and hungry cats. In order to (literally) save his tail, Bob starts telling stories about his ancestors. All of the stories are variations of famous fairy tales--but with a rat in the starring role, of course. Bob has to keep telling stories to entertain the cats, otherwise he'll be a pre-bedtime snack!
So cute, funny and entertaining. Very original and well-written. The fairy tales are changed to More...
So cute, funny and entertaining. Very original and well-written. The fairy tales are changed to More...
May 29, 2009
Robin
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It's Schehezerade as rat named Bob. Children who know their folk and fairy tales will enjoy seeing them mingled together in this light and easy book. Might make a good read-aloud.
Dec 16, 2009
Lisa
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In Arabian Nights tradition, Bob the rat’s only way of saving himself from two hungry cats is to share his delicious cookies and spellbinding stories with them. Readers will recognize Bob’s stories, all about his ratty ancestors, as hilariously fractured fairytales. For instance, did you know that Jack didn’t climb the beanstalk? Stupid Jack was off searching for his cow while Bob’s great-great-grandpa outwitted the giant and stole his magic cookie-baking spoon! A terrific read-aloud for homes a
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Nov 10, 2011
Debbie
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This was a clever revisit of classic fairy tales. A fun chapter book version of the new twisted tale.
Jul 01, 2010
Barb
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Clever interweaving of many fairy tales into one fun story with the rat telling the tales!
Jan 02, 2008
Gphatty
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Great synthesis of traditional fairy tales. Not truly fractured fairy tales, this variation of 1001 Nights has a rat spinning family yarns to save his bacon from two story-loving cats. Elements from dozens of fairy tales appear throughout the book; the writing is clever and funny; and although this could seem to be another post-modern, spot-the-references tale, the writing holds up on its own. I actually think the author did a very good job avoiding the trap of continuously referencing other
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Apr 14, 2008
Jean
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There aren't too many fun books for transitional readers (like third graders) but this is one that could be shared with second and third graders in the classroom or at home. Bob the rat is captured by the castle cats. He beguiles them with his cookies and with the stories of his family. The stories are familiar fairy tales, but they all have a twist (Rumplestilskin is a troll who lives under a bridge). Lots of fun, short and filled with illustrations. Perfect for new chapter book readers.
May 26, 2008
Sarah
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A rat, tells stories of his family to postpone Brutus and Muffin's attempt to eat him. Bob's situation as storyteller is reminiscent of Shahrazad. The stories that Bob tells will be familiar to children, though his rat family's versions have twists and combinations not often seen elsewhere.
This book was a fast read for me - taking 30 minutes to read the 90 pages. It'd be a great read aloud for younger children.
This book was a fast read for me - taking 30 minutes to read the 90 pages. It'd be a great read aloud for younger children.
Aug 01, 2007
Beth
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I read this with my daughter and it was really cute! Bob, the rat, tells stories about his relatives so that two cats won't eat him. The stories are versions of fairy tales but kind of mixed up. Bob's last story is about himself (and Cindy) and it is really funny! This is a good book for a younger reader since the chapters are not super long and there are pictures scattered through out the book.
Dec 17, 2009
Kristi
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I enjoyed this book, but only mildly. It's cute enough, with the main character a rat named Bob who bakes excellent cookies escaping, Shahrazad style, two cats who have caught him and are going to eat him. He retells fairy tales from his rat family history point of view. It can be amusing, but ends up overall feeling like it falls flat and doesn't really bring a great new thing to old stories.
Dec 17, 2009
Julia
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It's Arabian Nights, but with a positive rat protaganist who's an excellent baker and well versed in fairy tales! what's not to love? (I particularly liked that in this universe, cats will set aside rats for eating if a good cookie is available.) Afterwards I really wanted a fresh out of the oven rat-baked warm melty chocolate chip cookie and a vermin-told story.
Jan 26, 2010
Shelby
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iam 9.i read it in libraey and it was awesome.it is a really good book for children to read .it has fairy tailes tht kids love.except it has been made into even funnier tales.any age would love it. my mom would love it. if you havent read it, you should start reading it right now.
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Oct 06, 2009
Simone
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Read this with Zach. It's whimsical and fun, with lots of little innuendos and references to other fairy tales and literary works. Even the little ones can catch on!
Jan 26, 2010
Bob
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I felt this was my story! Bob, a rat (!) who is fond of baking and wild about reading! Although I've never come up against perils as great as those confronted by this hero, with whom I have so much in common, I hope that I would meet them, if I ever did, with a similar level of resourcefulness and good humor.
Mar 27, 2008
Wanda
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This is an Arabian Nights story where a rat named Bob survives by telling two threatening cats a series of tales to save his tail. These tales are rat family stories that students will recognize as fractured fairy tales. Individual chapters might make a good read aloud. Clever!
Dec 17, 2009
Bill
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Great fun for younger readers. Actually, all kids would enjoy this to figure out which familiar fairy tales are being parodied by story teller, Bob the Rat. The end papers are fun too, the front being Bob's rat and frog family tree, and the back a map of where he lives. Quick and funny.
Feb 21, 2008
Sq.Hill
rated it:
With the popularity of Disney's Rattatouille, lovable rats should be all the rage. The author cleverly combines familiar fariy tales like 1001 Arabian Nights, with Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Three Little Pigs - all with a twist, of course - to create a fun tale.
Mar 06, 2010
Lisa
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Cute and reminiscent of Arabian Nights. In this case, a rat saves his tail and other parts by telling two cats stories of his and his family's lives in a castle. I think there are seven fairy tales alluded to. Grades 2-5.
Oct 23, 2009
Autumn
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Great book for text to text connections!!!! Charlie May Simon list and it's laugh out loud funny, fantasy book filled with fairy tales. All 4th graders have heard it, and Mrs. Starnes too! What did ya'll think of it?
Aug 07, 2007
Tracie
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A clever rat saves himself from being eaten by two cats with his entertaining tales and yummy cookies. Clever in places with some great descriptive vocabulary, but all-in-all probably not one I'll remember for long.
Mar 10, 2008
Boni
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I really wanted to love this book- the title, the premise... I expected a delicious read. It just didn't grab me though. I felt too yanked back-and-forth by the premise- so much so, that it was hard to get into.
Feb 17, 2008
Timnah
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This is a witty blending and renovation of several different fairy tales into one hero's quest with multiple cliffhangers that is a delight to read alone or aloud. A definite must for rodent fans.
