Rats on the Range and Other Stories

by James Marshall

A companion volume to "Rats on the Roof", this book contains eight riotous stories about zany animal characters. Hear about the rat family who holiday on a dude ranch, only to find their hosts are rat terriers who say they are vegetarians and a mouse who keeps house for a tom cat.

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Picture Books

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

James Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992), who also wrote as Edward Marshall, was a children's author and illustrator.

His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.

It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.

In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I'm sure you all know by now, I LOVE James Marshall.  He's a funny, creative man, and I can't get enough of him.  I'm so used to his picture books, however, that I found myself surprised at finding one of his short story collections!  And they didn't disappoint.  Though this is a sequel, each story makes sense on its own, and provides lots of room for laughter.  With his usual wit and silliness, this short story collection certainly made an impression upon me--one that left me chuckling through the rest of my afternoon.  

Review cross-listed here!

[Megan Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and silly animal stories. Picked up at a favorite second hand haunt. :)

My only issue with one story was when Pig's love interest said no to a date, he persisted by sending flowers and poems "every day," until she agreed. I know I'm reading something into a storybook, but I still think it's worth noting that this is not a tactic best taught to children--however happily it ends for Pig amd Lola. ;)

Seeing as the book features as many mouse stories as rat ones, and several examples of stereotypical animal "enemies" who become friends, I think it will be added to my mouse book collection.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of children's short stories narrated by various animals. A sequel to Rats on the Roof, though not as humorous and without any illustrations, which I do miss. Apparently this book was published posthumously, and it feels as if these stories are drafts, rather than the polished gems in the previous volume. I don't think you do an author any favor by publishing their unfinished work like this.

[K&E_getlit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a challenge category (pick blind) but Marshall's dead pan dark humor is always appreciated. Definitely recommend all his picture books.

[Jed Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because i thought it would be interesting to read a younger, short story book.

This book covers the short story section on the bingo board.

I liked this book because it involves two different sections of stock characters featuring in alternating stories. each one involves them with a different plot, somewhat like a series of TV episodes, all shortened, telling the same amount a regular novel would have, but only several pages long.

I didn't like this book in some ways because it is set for a younger audience than myself, involving fairy tale animals and basic story-lines and plots.

I would recommend this book to people about the age of 7-12, at a primary/audience school level.

[Ellice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book represents everything that is great about simple stories for children: lots of animals with big personalities (Pig!), characters who sometimes do and sometimes do not learn their lesson (also Pig!), and funny situations. It hearkens back to Beatrix Potter and Aesop in all the best ways. Definitely the kind of thing that would be great to read to a small child, but sophisticated enough that the parent will also enjoy it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 5-year-old loved this collection of silly short stories even though it had much vocab I needed to explain to him. Not all the behavior by the book's characters was proper but it made for some good discussions about life choices. (person who drives recklessly or can't hold a job)

[Amber the Human · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, of course. All Marshall's stuff is fun. Memorable? Not so much. I doubt that I laughed out loud, per the GoodReads description, but I did enjoy it. I like that when his characters are in odd situations, he has them call that out.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of humor in these stories.