Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Rats of NIMH #1

by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Animals

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Robert Leslie Conly (better known by his pen name, Robert C. O'Brien) was an American author and journalist for National Geographic Magazine. His daughter is author Jane Leslie Conly.

For more complete information on this author, please see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...

Reviews

[Tim Null · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between 1989 and 1990, I took some additional college courses in hopes of getting a teaching certificate. That all went for naught when we moved to California. I did take three courses at The College of William and Mary that I loved, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to experience.

One was an introduction to linguistics class, which I'll probably mention when I review The Bird Way.

The second class was a modern history class where the professor announced, "Modern history is anything that has happened while I have been alive." He also said, "History is written by the winners, and it mostly ignores the losers."

The third was a children's literature class taught by a school librarian. Although her main job was in an elementary school, she was qualified to be a college professor.

In addition to a midterm and final exam, we had to do one oral and several written book reviews. In my oral review, I reviewed Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. In my review, I compared the book and the movie and concluded that although they were quite different, I loved them both.

I take great pride in the fact I aced that book report, and I also got an 'A' in the class.

Do you think a young woman would enjoy receiving a copy of this book on her 13th birthday?

[Wendy Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very fond of extraordinarily handsome rats. <3 Even better than I remembered, and now I have to read the sequel to find out what happened to everybody.

Reread for our monthly classics readalong--discussion on the blog this Friday!

[Julie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live just three houses down from a farm, so we frequently have the pleasure of hearing a goat bleat or having a curious horse reach their head over the fence for a quick nuzzle. We also have the occasional misfortune of horse-flies in the summertime and the rare autumn visit of a mouse who makes it past the notice of our savage (and somehow still fabulous) cat.

When this happens, when a mouse runs past my foot while out in the yard, or, Heaven forbid, comes anywhere near the structure of our house, my screams often sound like the sound effects from the famous shower scene from Psycho.

I understand that it is illogical and irrational that a creature so small should provoke such terror in me, but it's true.

(Don't even get me started on the topic of rats. I'd rather face a Tyrannosaurus rex than a rat, and I'm not kidding).

And now. . . here I am. . . because of another exceptional narrative and fabulous three-dimensional characters. . . loving a devoted mouse mother, Mrs. Frisby, and her pack of clever, genetically modified rat friends.

What's wrong with me? Am I misanthropic?

Why do I always prefer small colonies of animals in fiction and wish for them to take over the world?

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my all-time favorite books when I was a kid; I must've read it eight times. So I was pleased to find that it holds up well, and I still found it very entertaining (although it seemed a shorter). I did notice some things that I don't think really registered when I was younger. For one, I was thinking as I read that Mrs. Frisby is a pretty unusual character for a children's book. She's an adult, which is not common to children's novels; usually the protagonist is the same age or a couple years older than the intended audience. And she definitely thinks like an adult; she notices things like how young Justin seems, worries about taking care of her family, misses her husband. It's kind of cool.

The other thing I noticed was just how few female characters there are in the book. There's Mrs. Frisby and her daughters, Auntie Shrew, Isabella (a young rat Mrs. Frisby meets in the library), and that's really about it. Justin and Nicodemus make reference to "the wives," who are certainly shown as capable and industrious, but don't really have a part to play in the book. This lack is somewhat counterbalanced by what a brave and strong character Mrs. Frisby is -- but it DID annoy me that she didn't even get a first name. "Mrs. Jonathan Frisby," indeed. It's not enough to make me give the book a lower score, but I found it a little irksome. I don't think it really mattered to me too much as a kid, though; mostly I think I had a huge crush on Justin. :)

[Ahmad Sharabiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Rats of NIMH #1), Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a 1971 children's book by Robert C. O'Brien. the story was adapted for film in 1982 as The Secret of NIMH.

Mrs. Frisby is the head of a family of field mice. Her son Timothy is ill with pneumonia just as the farmer Mr. Fitzgibbon begins preparation for spring plowing in the garden where the Frisby family lives.

Normally she would move her family, but Timothy would not survive the cold trip to their summer home.

Mrs. Frisby obtains medicine from her friend Mr. Ages, an older white mouse. On the return journey, she saves the life of Jeremy, a young crow, from Dragon, the farmer's cat– the same cat who killed her husband, Jonathan.

Jeremy suggests she seek help in moving Timothy from an owl who dwells in the forest. Jeremy flies Mrs. Frisby to the owl's tree, but the owl says he cannot help, until he finds out that she is the widow of Jonathan Frisby. He suggests that Mrs. Frisby seek help from the rats who live in a rosebush near her. ...

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و نهم ماه اکتبر سال 2017میلادی

عنوان: خانم فریزبی و موش‌های صحرایی؛ نویسنده: رابرت سی اوبراین؛ تصویرگر زنا برن اشتاین؛ مترجم: نگار شاطریان؛ تهران: انتشارات دنیای اقتصاد، کتابهای دارکوب‏‫، 1395؛ در 255ص؛ مصور، شابک 9786008004639؛ موضوع داستانهای نوجوانان از نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده 20م‬‬

عنوان: خانم فریزبی؛ نویسنده رابرت سی. اوبراین ؛ مترجم: پرستو پورگیلانی ؛ ویراستار: فرزین سوری؛ تهران پیدایش، ‏‫1398؛ در 328ص؛ شابک 9786222440176؛‬

زمستان به سر آمده، و روز شخمزنی مزرعه نزدیک است؛ «خانم فریزبی» و چهار بچه موشش، که خانه شان در همان مزرعه است، چاره ای ندارند جز اینکه، همانند هر سال، از مزرعه اسباب کشی کنند؛ چون یکی از همین روزها، سر و کله ی تراکتور صاحب مزرعه، پیدا میشود، و غرش کنان چنگک تیزش را، درون خاک میکشد، و گام به گام مزرعه را زیر و رو میکند؛ در آن روز هیچ حیوانی نمیتواند، از مزرعه جان سالم به در ببرد، و تمام خانه ها، و لانه های زمستانی، ویران میشوند؛ اما امسال مشکلی وجود دارد: پسر کوچک «خانم فریزبی» بیمار است؛ اگر در آن هوای سرد، اسباب کشی کنند، بدون شک او خواهد مرد، و اگر اسباب کشی نکنند، همگی جان خود را از دست میدهند؛ روز شخم زنی هر لحظه نزدیکتر میشود؛ تا اینکه «خانم فریزبی» با «موشهای صحرایی» آشنا میشود؛ موجوداتی مرموز، از نژادی خارق العاده، و با هوش بسیار بالا، و آنها راه حل بسیار خوبی برای مشکل او پیدا میکنند...؛

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 12/07/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

the very idea of a rodent: disgusting, debilitating, makes me want to perish

the concept of a colony of rats working together with a little old lady mouse to go on summer vacation: fantastic, whimsical, a childhood-defining masterpiece

this book was one of my mom's favorites when she was growing up, and i read her same copy when i was growing up, and that is a lovely adorable experience even to a cynical nightmarish grump like me.

part of a series in which i review books i read a long time ago with a veil of nostalgia and very little useful information

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rats are the better humans maybe.

When I read this story aloud to students a few years ago, I remember thinking it is one of these crossover novels that speak to children and adults on different, but equally satisfying levels.

There is the human intrusion into the natural state of biology.

There is the inevitable fallout.

There is the fable.

There is the fantasy about community building.

There is the hardship and the there is the perseverance to deal with it.

There is good old adventure and storytelling.

What else can one ask of a children's book?

It also has RATS!

[Zoë]

[Book #38 for my grad school Children's Lit class]

[¸¸.•*¨*•♫ Mrs. Buttercup •*¨*•♫♪ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When you’ve lived in a cage, you can’t bear not to run, even if what you’re running towards is an illusion.”



I grew up watching Don Bluth's animation movie The Secret of NIMH, and I had no idea this was a book. Then I found this little second-hand book on Amazon and I knew I had to read it! This story is just so much fun. I love those children's books told from the perspective of animals, because it really forces you to change your point of view when approaching a story (those poor mice really live every single day of their life avoiding to get killed! No wonder they get heart failure poor little creatures).



As I said, this book was a lot of fun bur honestly, I like the movie more. It might be because of Don Bluth's genius; but I also didn't like the illustrations in the book (all mice and rats look exactly the same) and I didn't think the author did such a great job imagining how a rat would think and act in this particular situation. I don't think I will go on with the series, but I still love this story because of childhood memories, so I can't help but rating this book so high. I have a soft heart ahah!

[Cherisa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly thoughtful book about education, ethics, community and obligations to ourselves, our family, our tribe, and the larger world. Even prejudice. Led to good conversations with my twin 10yo granddaughters, with whom I read it on a beach vacation. We all loved it.
Newbery winner, and rightly so.

[The Captain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahoy there me mateys!  Here I take a second look at a previously enjoyed novel and give me crew me second reflections, as it were, upon visitin' it again . . .

In the last couple of days, I had to take a road journey and decided to listen to an audiobook on the way.  I wanted something I had previously read before and saw this one was available from the library.  The First Mate had never heard of it and I was appalled.  I adored the 1982 movie and the book when I was little but hadn't read or watched it in over a decade or more.  I got excited to revisit it.

Absolutely no disappointment here!  For those who don't know the story, Mrs. Frisby is a field mouse with four children.  Her son Timothy gets pneumonia and cannot be moved from their winter home.  The problem is that the farmer is about to plow the fields.  If Mrs. Frisby doesn't find a solution about what to do for Timothy then he will die.

When I was little I was mostly fascinated by the rats of NIMH and how they came to be.  While I still enjoyed that section, this time I was much more focused in Mrs. Frisby's journey and her kindness and determination.  She is just a regular mouse but her love is her strength and I was surprisingly very moved by her adventures.  It was also nice to revisit old friends like Justin and Jeremy.  I did think it was interesting that even in the world of rodents that the males held all the power and made all the decisions.  I didn't notice that as a child.  So it be even more extraordinary that a older widowed mother mouse is the hero.  I was more inclined to think the rats saved the day when I was little.  Now I know where the true strength lies.

I very much enjoyed the audiobook and thought Barbara Caruso did an excellent job with this one.  After listening to this I very much want to rewatch the movie.  I will wait until the First Mate and I are back together and order him to watch it with me.  Arrrr!

Side note: Goodreads listed this as a series and I was confused.  Turns out the author's daughter wrote two additional books in the series.  No offense but I like this book as a standalone!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached this with the usual trepidation you get when going back to a childhood favourite after nearly four decades away... deep breath... but I needn’t have worried. This book is every bit as charming, moving and, let’s be honest, a teeny bit scary as I remembered. If you like an intelligently written children’s book that provides some food for thought, you could do a lot worse.

I can’t help but wonder if James Herbert read this before he wrote ‘The Rats’, though... brrr...

[Andrew Gillsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love this story! The animated movie is one of my clearest memories of childhood.

It helps that I am a devoted rat-dad, but I'd recommend it even for those who still harbor prejudices against these noble creatures.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much as a young teen, I read it over and over and over. This is probably the book that started me off on my lifelong love of fantasy, together with Watership Down.

I re-read this as part of my MacHalo Reading Challenge 2016, 4. Re-reading a childhood favourite.

The beginning was a little boring and the very traditional gender roles of the mice annoyed me a bit at first. But once Mrs. Frisby met the rats and they told her their story, the book picked up a lot. I had forgotten a lot of the storyline. Some parts were pretty exciting, others emotional. There was drama, angst, a good plot, suspense... A nice rollercoaster.

In the end I liked the story so much that I wouldn't mind reading a sequel, to find out how the story continues for our heroes.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was my second-grade teacher who read this to us in class, like a chapter a day, or something.
I was so into this book, I made my mom take me to the library where I checked it out so I could read ahead to find out what was coming. But I didn't want the entire thing spoiled, so I only read a chapter ahead.
In fifth grade, this was available through RIF and I remember seeing the copy on the folding table among all the many other free books. I snatched it up so fast, grabbing up from under my taller classmates, swiping like Swiper has never swiped. It was the movie edition which means it was the same story but with pictures from the Don Bluth film adaptation in middle. I adored that movie ("A sparkly!"), my family and I had seen it at the Drive-In and have been quoting it ever since.
I loved this book as it was read and as I read ahead. I loved it when I got it from the RIF table. I loved it every time I read it. It's deeper and more nuanced than the animated film, of course. Scarier, too. It's a wonderful story with some science, some mystery, and a lot of bravery.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captivated me from start to finish when I read it - for the first time - as an adult. It's such a beautiful story of courage and morality and heroism. It's hard to imagine anyone not being moved by "The Rats of Nimh" and its characters are well-developed and not easily forgotten. I thought about this book for days afterward, and I was sad when it ended.

There are really two stories going on at once; O'Brien cleverly brings the two together slowly by revealing their connection detail by detail through an absorbing flashback. The entire book's tone is one of being invited into a secret that only you, the reader, are accepted into. The science aspect is interesting and makes the animal characters even more realistic and memorable. I've read reviews about what the author's intention was, pointing to the various themes - from science playing with nature to self-determination to morality - present in the story. This ambiguity make "The Rats of Nimh" all the more interesting.

[Donna Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great children’s literature, of the sort that is rarely seen today. Mr. O’Brien teaches the concepts of true heroism, of doing brave things when you are terrified, of sacrificing oneself for others. He includes the concepts of self-betterment through learning, and of the comfort of being loved. How friendships are forged. How communities are built.
Actually, it’s just the story of a mouse who is trying to care for her sickly son. But that’s the beauty and mystery of great storytelling. Mr. O’Brien teaches all of those concepts while telling a simple child’s story about a mouse. I wish great concepts were taught in this way more frequently. What a beautiful tale to read.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was delightful. The age difference between myself and the target audience was not at all an issue for enjoyment. It felt like the Secret of Nimh movie I loved in my childhood, followed along with the main story. Mrs. Frisby makes me realize how many strong single mother figures I had in stories and entertainment as a child. I guess it helped shape my high view of them in my life now as a single mother.

I loved getting more details about the time Jonathan and the rats spent at NIMH, and I will continue to read the other accounts in the series. This is such an interesting take on animal testing and turning it into a sci-fi/fantasy account.

4 stars.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this several times as a kid. I was most fascinated by the experiments at NIMH (a real government organization!) and would read just those chapters over and over. It’s an intelligent book and expects young readers to understand it. It is not condescending to the young audience.

At fifty years old, the book shows traditional gender roles that some may find offensive. Yet Mrs. Frisby, a housewife mouse with no special enhancements from NIMH of her own, shows amazing courage, strength, and composure. She is a truly strong female and doesn’t have to act like a male to be so.

Language: None
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Mild
Harm to Animals: Some mice are blown away in an air duct and presumed dead. The cat gets drugged periodically. Some rats die of accidental electrocution. A couple rats die of poison gas. Rats and mice are experimented on.
Harm to Children: None
Other (Triggers): Mild sexism

[Yigal Zur · Rating 4 out of 5]

brilliant saga of educated rats

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was the best book about rats and mice I have ever read!!! It was fun and the story line was great. I kind of feel bad for them now.... (not that bad where I want to save them or have one as a pet) Great characters and a mommy mouse that loves her family so much she will put her life in jeopardy to save them. Feel good book full of imagination.

[Chaplain Steven Walle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I read it in the forth grade and it has stuck with me ever since.
It is about a group of rats which have been biologicly altared to be highly intelegent. They form there own cyvalization and such. There is a family of mice involved as well wherein there is a love story of sorts. I highly recommend this book to all ages.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot about the lab testing element of the plot, and even though it's done well and makes sense and is interesting and all that, it's still kind of depressing and takes up too much of the narrative's time. But I do live for little woodland animal communities, so.

[BAM the enigma · Rating 3 out of 5]

How is it these rats can illuminate their entire underground nest with Christmas lights, but every year thousands of Americans cannot decorate their trees???

[Francesca Calarco · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a specific brand of children’s book that is simultaneously wholesome, while containing legitimate sci-fi horror elements, then look no further than Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

I’ll admit, I recently found myself re-watching Don Bluth’s film adaptation The Secret of NIMH, which peaked my curiosity to seek out the source material. While I first saw this film as an adult, I cannot say that this story evokes much childhood nostalgia for me as it does for the many others who grew up with the brave, widowed Mrs. Frisby and the ingenious, yet secretive rats.

Unraveling as a story within a story, there are a lot of really interesting characters presented who each provide missing pieces for the “secret” storyline, and/or serve to better contextualize the greater world of sentient animals living on the farm. My only critique would be that given the large cast of rodents (and birds) in such a small book, I was given just enough plot cheese to nibble on without ever really feeling full on complete character development.

My nitpicking (of a children’s book) aside, I’m sure the intended audience would still very much enjoy a tale like this. The entirety of my own childhood was filled with talking animals, and this is a truly unique story that any kid (or adult) with such proclivities could appreciate. Long live rat civilization.

[C. (Never PM. Comment, or e-mail if private!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw “The Secret Of Nimh” at a birthday sleepover party. If it was in grade 6, I was 11 years-old; sensitive enough to have compassion for sad elements and still a baby to be spooked by dark moments. It is this August that I finally read Robert C. O’Brien’s original book 38 years later. I afterwards watched my videotape with my spouse. We were touched but not blown away. It changed in fundamental ways from the storybook, which is unforgettable. We happen to be in the birthday party week-end of my 49th year, this November 2021!

Oh my, you cannot know how profound, enlightening, and intellectual the discourse is, until you read it for yourself! Do not dismiss this formidable 1971 treatise about misunderstood animals by imagining a cute “Disney” tale. If I ignore my knowledge of “animal communication”, that all species, minds, and languages are equal via telepathy; the concept of chemically enhancing brains was interesting. These artificially augmented rats and mice had clothing and books but burrowed into nature’s houses. A farmer was going to level the field where Mrs. Brisby lived, during an illness when her toddler could not go out in cool weather. She was urged to consult an owl, who.... (you see what I did there) directed her to rosebush rats.

I have always revered mysteries and poignant emotions. Meeting the owl riveted me in the book and 1982 film but nothing awed me more than a widow making discoveries about her husband, Jonathan. The message is staggering! Rats do not gather food and are sustained by stealing. Their new intellect affords the occasion to change that. Domestic felines in reality love the wilderness but these educated fictional rats can no longer abide sewers. Robert’s philosophical depth in a so-called children’s story amazed me!

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Newberry Award winning book for 1973, and this was there main reason I wanted to read it. Normally it's a mixed bag with books that win this award for me, but this time I can say this book deserved the award. This is a really good book.

This is an interesting introduction to science-fiction for young readers. I mean rats and a few mice with special intellectual properties that want to build their own successful community... What's not to be interested in? The story has aged really well because there isn't anything to date it, like mentioning popular fashion choices of the time, so really anyone can read it.

I only have 3 small complaints. The first complaint is that the pacing of the story can be a bit slow. Still that could be due to the fact books were written at a slower pace in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The second complaint is that I'm not super happy that we don't know what happened to Justin the Rat either. I like the idea of him and Mrs. Frisby getting to know each other better. Lastly, what happened to Jenner!? Were 6 or 7 rats killed? Is he alive or dead? There are so many unanswered questions that we'll never know because Mr. O'Brien died before he could write a sequel. His daughter did continue the series but as her own writings, which I'm not counting as a true continuation since Mr. O'Brien didn't have any say for those books.

Back to this book... In my opinion, it might be better to read this book by oneself instead of in a group. As this book is a pretty easy read to breeze through. Personally I listened to the audiobook with my fiance for our reading dates. The narrator was quite nice to listen to and seemed to match the story well. However you choose to read this story you'll be happy.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leskeksi äskettäin jääneen hiirirouva Frisbyn nuorin lapsi Timothy sairastuu vakavasti jokakeväisen muuttopäivän alla, ja hukka uhkaa periä koko perheen, sillä maanviljelijän aura uhkaa jyrätä heidät kaikki, ellei apua saada jostakin. Viisaan pöllön, valkean hiirivanhuksen ja nuoren variksenpoikasen avustamana hiirirouva tutustuu läheisen ruusupensaan alla asustaviin rottiin, jotka eivät olekaan mitä tahansa pienjyrsijöitä. Frisby pääsee osalliseksi suuresta salaisuudesta, joka sivuaa myös hänen omaa perhettään.

Robert C. O'Brienin "Hiirirouva ja ruusupensaan viisaat" (WSOY, 1977) on lasten fantasiaromaani, joka kuuluu lapsuuteni suurimpien lukuelämysten joukkoon. Kiitos siitä taitaa olla kuulua kummitädilleni, joka tuli aikanaan minulle kirjaa suositelleeksi. Lukuelämys oli niin suuri, etten sittemmin uskaltanut kirjaan tarttua uudestaan. Pelkäsin ajan kullanneen muistot, kuten niin monelle muulle vanhalle lastenkirjalle on käynyt.

Syytä pelkoon ei ollut. Yli kaksikymmentä vuotta myöhemmin "Hiirirouva" oli kaikkea sitä mitä olin sen muistellutkin olevan: jännittävä ja vähän surumielinen lastenromaani, joka jää mielikuvitusta upeasti kutkuttavalla tavalla avoimeksi (ilmeisesti englanniksi sarja jatkui pitempään, mutta tämän yksittäisen suomennoksen voi aivan hyvin lukea itsenäisenä teoksena). Suuri seikkailu ei kaipaa kokonaisen maailmankaikkeuden pelastamista, vaan joskus riittää kirjaimellisesti ruohonjuuritasolla liikkuminen.

Valitettavasti kirjaa ole enää kirjastomme kokoelmissa montaa kappaletta, mutta lupaan siitä huolimatta tehdä kaikkeni, että tämä mestariteos löytäisi mahdollisimman monta lukijaa myös vastaisuudessa. Ja tehkää te muutkin samoin!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was just ok for me. I enjoy a story from an animal's perspective, so that part was cool. But the sci-fi aspect of this turned me off a bit. I love how the rats banded together to help the mice, and the backstory behind that (although that's the bit that brought in the sci-fi aspect).

I also alternated between reading and listening to this. Am I the only one who finds Barbara Caruso's narration prissy and annoying lol. Not sure, but I think when I go back to reread the first three Anne of Green Gables series, I will be sure to choose other narrations. There is just something about her voice that makes me feel like I'm on the floor in kindergarten class at story time. Just bugs me. Which didn't improve my rating for this one.

Anyway I'm glad I read it. I thought for sure I'd read it as a kid, but nothing in this rang any bells, so maybe I never did.

[DivaDiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a kid a long time ago. I was probably 10 or 11, but I don’t remember really. I also had only very vague memories of the book and 2 odd specific ones: that the mice had to move their house to the lee of the stone, and of the hysterical shrew. I also knew I had really loved it.

I’m really glad I decided to read this to my son and that they had it at the library.

It’s quite exciting as stories go and the rats’ story within a story was wonderful. It is so well written that it was a pleasure to read aloud.

I would almost give it a 5, so 4.5* My son is now asleep, so I’ll add what his favorite bits were tomorrow.