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Tatty Ratty
A wonderfully inventive and heart-warming story starring a brave and adventurous lost rabbit, from the award-winning Helen Cooper.Molly's toy rabbit, Tatty Ratty, is lost again.But don't worry, he's on his way back to her - and there are lots of adventures on the way, including flying on a dragon, and jumping aboard a pirate ship.... all before waiting for her to come and pick him back up in the toyshop.This imaginative and heart-warming adventure story is perfect for little ones - especially those missing a teddy. With glowing illustrations from Helen Cooper, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.Other stories available by Helen The Bear Under the StairsThe Baby Who Wouldn't Go to BedPumpkin SoupA Pipkin of PepperDelicious!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
59 people want to read
About the author
Helen Cooper
62 books105 followersHelen Sonia Cooper is a British illustrator and an author of children's literature. She grew up in Cumbria, where she practiced literature and piano playing. She currently lives in Oxford.
Cooper has twice been awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject. She won for The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed in 1996, which she wrote and illustrated. In 1998 she won for Pumpkin Soup, which she also wrote and illustrated. They were consecutive projects for her.
Beside winning the two Greenaway Medals (no one has won three), Cooper made the shortlist for The Bear Under the Stairs (Doubleday, 1993) and Tatty Ratty (Doubleday, 2001).
As well as her solo picture books, Cooper writes picture book texts for other illustrators, and also illustrates her own middle grade fiction - most recently, The Taming of the Cat' published by Faber and Faber in the UK.
WorldCat reports that Pumpkin Soup is her work most widely held in participating libraries.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See here for more details
Cooper has twice been awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject. She won for The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed in 1996, which she wrote and illustrated. In 1998 she won for Pumpkin Soup, which she also wrote and illustrated. They were consecutive projects for her.
Beside winning the two Greenaway Medals (no one has won three), Cooper made the shortlist for The Bear Under the Stairs (Doubleday, 1993) and Tatty Ratty (Doubleday, 2001).
As well as her solo picture books, Cooper writes picture book texts for other illustrators, and also illustrates her own middle grade fiction - most recently, The Taming of the Cat' published by Faber and Faber in the UK.
WorldCat reports that Pumpkin Soup is her work most widely held in participating libraries.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See here for more details
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 8, 2012
Tatty Ratty is a beautifully illustrated, clever and multi-layered book that can be enjoyed by children of all ages and their parents – or teachers. It’s probably best suited to the younger end of key stage 1 where toys and especially stuffed animals are still that bit more precious! Tatty Ratty tells the story of how Molly loses her favourite toy rabbit on the bus home and the miraculous journey he then goes on to find his way back to her.
Tatty Ratty’s journey is created by the imagination of Molly herself with a little bit of inspiration from her mum and dad as she wonders where he is and what he’s up to – and how he might get home. She imagines her might get off the bus and find a train and drive it home.
And, of course, for that he’ll need a uniform – just the blue buttons he had when he first arrived in Molly’s house. Then he has breakfast with the three bears and eats too much so he gets fat – so he’s as plump as he was when Molly first had him. Each stage of his journey sees Tatty Ratty become less tatty and more like the clean, white, fluffy rabbit he first was. It’s a clever but simple idea.
Cooper mixes in other familiar stories – the three bears make an appearance as does Cinderella and the man in the moon – making the story accessible to younger children. Her wonderful illustrations require careful study as they too draw on familiar literature and nursery rhymes.
The illustration of Tatty Ratty leaving the moon in a rocket features a tiny cow jumping over it, a cat with a fiddle and a little dog. It’s a more subtle reference that can be picked up on subsequent readings of the book. It illustrates the strength of the book that it has on one level and fun and appealing story for children to get engrossed in but there are more layers on top that can be uncovered as children learn and develop.
A perfect combination of beautiful illustrations and clever story-telling make Tatty Ratty a definite hit that can be used to inspire discussions on possessions, great journeys and more.
Tatty Ratty’s journey is created by the imagination of Molly herself with a little bit of inspiration from her mum and dad as she wonders where he is and what he’s up to – and how he might get home. She imagines her might get off the bus and find a train and drive it home.
And, of course, for that he’ll need a uniform – just the blue buttons he had when he first arrived in Molly’s house. Then he has breakfast with the three bears and eats too much so he gets fat – so he’s as plump as he was when Molly first had him. Each stage of his journey sees Tatty Ratty become less tatty and more like the clean, white, fluffy rabbit he first was. It’s a clever but simple idea.
Cooper mixes in other familiar stories – the three bears make an appearance as does Cinderella and the man in the moon – making the story accessible to younger children. Her wonderful illustrations require careful study as they too draw on familiar literature and nursery rhymes.
The illustration of Tatty Ratty leaving the moon in a rocket features a tiny cow jumping over it, a cat with a fiddle and a little dog. It’s a more subtle reference that can be picked up on subsequent readings of the book. It illustrates the strength of the book that it has on one level and fun and appealing story for children to get engrossed in but there are more layers on top that can be uncovered as children learn and develop.
A perfect combination of beautiful illustrations and clever story-telling make Tatty Ratty a definite hit that can be used to inspire discussions on possessions, great journeys and more.
February 2, 2015
Tatty Ratty is short and beautiful picture book. It is delighted for children and adults. This is imaginative story. The picture of this book is very colorful and loving.
Tatty Ratty is a rabbit, and he is missing again. However, Molly suppose he's having an adventure. I am touch by Molly's imagination. Children also have different view to look this world. Molly's mother and father also help her to make up this adventure. It is also provide a good way to guide children. Tatty Ratty lost in the bus. Thus, this adventure begins with the bus. Molly start to think that Tatty Ratty drive a train. When Molly have breakfast with her parents in the morning, Molly think that Tatty Ratty also have porridge with the three bears. That is so interesting. Children connect real world into imaginative world. During Molly's bath time, Tatty Ratty comes home, with Cinderella. Mother help Molly wash hair, at the same time, Tatty Ratty also was brushed his fur by Cinderella. Molly hates the bath time. We can find this fact in the picture. Tatty Ratty also hate brushing fur. He went away. That adventure all connect with the Molly life.
The picture of this book is also amazing. Not only draw Tatty Ratty adventure, but also draw the reality of Molly life. That is very clever. It can teach adult how to communicate with children and how to respect children imagination.
I am touch by the ending of this story. Tatty Ratty come home through adventure. Those adventures help Tatty Ratty change the outlook. Molly find a Tatty Ratty from the store. I can know this Tatty Ratty is not original. However, Molly think that this is a real Tatty Ratty. For parents,this is a really good story. If children lost their toys, this story can provide a good thinking for them.
I really appreciate this book. Children can be attract by wonderful adventure. Adults can study a good way to communicate with children.
Tatty Ratty is a rabbit, and he is missing again. However, Molly suppose he's having an adventure. I am touch by Molly's imagination. Children also have different view to look this world. Molly's mother and father also help her to make up this adventure. It is also provide a good way to guide children. Tatty Ratty lost in the bus. Thus, this adventure begins with the bus. Molly start to think that Tatty Ratty drive a train. When Molly have breakfast with her parents in the morning, Molly think that Tatty Ratty also have porridge with the three bears. That is so interesting. Children connect real world into imaginative world. During Molly's bath time, Tatty Ratty comes home, with Cinderella. Mother help Molly wash hair, at the same time, Tatty Ratty also was brushed his fur by Cinderella. Molly hates the bath time. We can find this fact in the picture. Tatty Ratty also hate brushing fur. He went away. That adventure all connect with the Molly life.
The picture of this book is also amazing. Not only draw Tatty Ratty adventure, but also draw the reality of Molly life. That is very clever. It can teach adult how to communicate with children and how to respect children imagination.
I am touch by the ending of this story. Tatty Ratty come home through adventure. Those adventures help Tatty Ratty change the outlook. Molly find a Tatty Ratty from the store. I can know this Tatty Ratty is not original. However, Molly think that this is a real Tatty Ratty. For parents,this is a really good story. If children lost their toys, this story can provide a good thinking for them.
I really appreciate this book. Children can be attract by wonderful adventure. Adults can study a good way to communicate with children.
September 24, 2017
I really enjoyed Tatty Ratty! This picture book forces the reader to appreciate Tatty's and the child's new world. Most children have experienced that horrible feeling of losing a precious toy- so this book is very relatable whilst also highlighting the creativity and power of a child's imagination. Additionally, I liked the focus of the parents as both play a significant role in stimulating Molly's narration.
The illustrations alongside the text reflect a transitional and morphing of Molly's and Tatty's worlds. Similarly the images add to each other as the story progresses (bits of overlap can be seen). Molly's own situation (for example whether she is in the bath) affects what happens to Tatty and this is represented in the illustrations.
The story touches on the sadness and anxiety of losing something precious but also promotes the positivity and opportunities to be had by Molly and many other children with a vivid imagination.
The illustrations alongside the text reflect a transitional and morphing of Molly's and Tatty's worlds. Similarly the images add to each other as the story progresses (bits of overlap can be seen). Molly's own situation (for example whether she is in the bath) affects what happens to Tatty and this is represented in the illustrations.
The story touches on the sadness and anxiety of losing something precious but also promotes the positivity and opportunities to be had by Molly and many other children with a vivid imagination.
April 10, 2019
Molly can’t find her old stuffed bunny, because she lost it and left it on the bus and there is no way to get it back. So instead of crying about it, her parents help her come up with all these different adventures to explain why Ratty Tatty is gone. The parents are very clever and even come up with a way to explain how Ratty Tatty becomes good as new so they can buy the same bunny toy for Molly just like Ratty Tatty.
This story is very cute and clever and is good for both the parents and any child who has ever lost their favorite toy.
This story is very cute and clever and is good for both the parents and any child who has ever lost their favorite toy.
October 23, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The whimsy and magic of Tatty Ratty’s journey home floats right off the page. However, the ending fell a little flat to me and the kids I read it too didn’t seem as interested in it as I was.
Tatty Ratty is a story about a little girl who loses her favorite stuffed rabbit. Her parents help her make up wild adventures the rabbit might be on.
Tatty Ratty is a story about a little girl who loses her favorite stuffed rabbit. Her parents help her make up wild adventures the rabbit might be on.
February 4, 2019
We love this book. We found it at the local library many years ago and we liked it so much that we bought ourself a copy. We have been reading it over and over and it never gets boring.
October 3, 2019
Beautiful illustrations
March 14, 2021
Very surreal and dreamy pictures, but I was upset that Molly didn’t get the real Tatty Ratty back!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2011
By being participants in the 2011 International Postcard Exchange, our United Kingdom pen pals, Sam, Rebekah, Jeremy, George, and Daniel recommended the picture book Tatty Ratty by Helen Cooper to us. So, we immediately placed our order online and anxiously awaited an e-mail from our local library, Glen Carbon Centennial Library, stating our book was in.
The image of a bunny eating a doughnut while taking a ride in the evening sky piqued our interest. What follows is an imaginative tale of the whereabouts of a lost bunny enhanced by the reference of familiar characters from other children's storybooks. Thus, not only is a new tale being told, but the backstories of other famous literary figures are introduced within Tatty Ratty. As a parent, I found the story useful as parenting advice if ever in the unfortunate predicament of a child missing a favorite toy. As a teacher, I appreciated the introduction of allusions in this literary work.
As a means of experiencing Tatty Ratty, the squirts dug into their own collection of stuffed animals and found their own "Tatty Ratty." Opting to create an adventure exclusive to our Tatty Ratty, we took turns placing Tatty Ratty in various circumstances throughout the house and then using our imaginations to explain how she arrived at each location.
Fresh from our Farm to Table field trips, we made a trip to the local produce stand, Norma's Produce and Greenhouses, and selected items which a bunny would most likely enjoy. Returning home with our bounty in tow, the squirts cleaned their (few) selected vegetables and (numerous) fruits and prepared them with minimal assistance ("I can do it!" was heard often during preparation) into a child-friendly salad.
March 13, 2015
A young child loses her favorite bedtime animal, Tatty Ratty. She and her mother look high and low to find with no luck. She imagines her bunny in all sorts of trouble and adventures. You have to read this adorable book to find out if they are able to get back to each other.
Theme: Bedtime story, favorite things, lost items, imagination, adventure, feelings
Ideas: Read aloud, discuss fiction versus non-fiction parts of the book or discuss favorite stuffed animals students may have or had as a young child and how they would feel if they lost it. Discuss feelings and practice faces to match those feelings. Then, discuss ways to cope with those feelings. People they can turn to for help, etc.
Picture Storybook
Theme: Bedtime story, favorite things, lost items, imagination, adventure, feelings
Ideas: Read aloud, discuss fiction versus non-fiction parts of the book or discuss favorite stuffed animals students may have or had as a young child and how they would feel if they lost it. Discuss feelings and practice faces to match those feelings. Then, discuss ways to cope with those feelings. People they can turn to for help, etc.
Picture Storybook
December 7, 2014
Tatty Ratty is a fun imaginative book about the adventures of molly's missing rabbit goes through on his journey home to her. As days go by and he is no where to be found. The illustration in this book are great! full of color and detailed and intertwined with the others i had to stop and examine them finding coronations between the two pages. The illustrations lead you on such a fun imaginative journey created by molly about her lost funny bunny making his way home to her. Everyone can relate to this tale and appreciate the dreams and imagination we all had about our toys as we grew up. Great tale to have in the class room or home library.
October 22, 2015
Read when it showed up in my Little Free Library.
A wonderful story about a girl who looses here stuffed rabbit and the journey the rabbit takes to arrive clean and new at the store where the little girl finds him and takes him home. (Of course the story doesn't mention that the parents paid for the "cleaning", but it's a brilliant idea for that favorite animal that goes missing.)
A wonderful story about a girl who looses here stuffed rabbit and the journey the rabbit takes to arrive clean and new at the store where the little girl finds him and takes him home. (Of course the story doesn't mention that the parents paid for the "cleaning", but it's a brilliant idea for that favorite animal that goes missing.)
October 27, 2015
Read when it showed up in my Little Free Library.
A wonderful story about a girl who looses here stuffed rabbit and the journey the rabbit takes to arrive clean and new at the store where the little girl finds him and takes him home. (Of course the story doesn't mention that the parents paid for the "cleaning", but it's a brilliant idea for that favorite animal that goes missing.)
A wonderful story about a girl who looses here stuffed rabbit and the journey the rabbit takes to arrive clean and new at the store where the little girl finds him and takes him home. (Of course the story doesn't mention that the parents paid for the "cleaning", but it's a brilliant idea for that favorite animal that goes missing.)
August 15, 2008
A great story that has value for any parent who has ever needed to explain the disappearance of a much loved, but lost cuddly friend. As usual with Helen’s books, beautiful, colourful illustrations bring this story to life.
December 1, 2010
i love this book.
a little girl loses her stuffed rabbit and can't find it. she and her parents create a new adventure for tatty ratty and the story becomes animated with familiar characters from other rhymes and fairy tales.
we've read this one more than once.
a little girl loses her stuffed rabbit and can't find it. she and her parents create a new adventure for tatty ratty and the story becomes animated with familiar characters from other rhymes and fairy tales.
we've read this one more than once.
March 1, 2016
I really like the use of colour in this book. Also, I like how different fairy tales are included but could this perhaps exclude some readers? That said I'm sure many children and adults alike will be able to relate to the main characters and also the feelings that come with losing a beloved toy!
November 9, 2019
Molly has misplaced her stuffed bunny Tatty Ratty. While waiting for his return, she and her parents talk about the adventures he is experiencing, all of which involve fairytale and nursery rhyme characters.
May 24, 2011
Quiet Sunday night, stuck at the back desk kind of read.
July 25, 2014
My 4-year-old has his own "Tatty Ratty" so I thought he'd enjoy this story but it didn't seem to hold his interest as much as it did mine.
June 12, 2012
Great kids book full of imagination and wit. Gorgeous illustrations.
January 2, 2014
The story was kind of ho-hum, but the illustrations were quite appealing. Unfortunately, the copy of the book I looked at was as Tatty Ratty as the poor lost bunny.
January 24, 2014
In this nicely illustrated picture book, a young imaginative girl considers all the adventures her lost favorite toy has before returning to her.
June 12, 2014
The gorgeous illustrations and sweet odd ball story I expect from Helen Cooper.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews