Books › The Highway Rat
The Highway Rat
56 pages
A galloping, swashbuckling read-aloud where a greedy villain gets a clever comeuppance.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like a theatrical performance waiting to happen. It bounds along at a brisk, galloping pace, driven by an infectious, rhythmic meter that practically forces the reader to adopt a swaggering, dramatic voice. The mood is rollicking and lighthearted, wrapping a classic tale of a greedy bully in a swashbuckling, energetic atmosphere. It is a story that delights in its own mischief before delivering a deeply satisfying, clever resolution where brains triumph over brawn. The bouncy verse and repetitive refrains make it an interactive joy for young listeners, who will eagerly anticipate the villain's comeuppance. It is perfect for children who love a bit of mild, cartoonish peril paired with the comforting reassurance of a happy, well-earned ending.
- Mood
- energetic
- swashbuckling
- lighthearted
- rollicking
- Tone
- playful
- theatrical
- mischievous
- rhythmic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- greed and gluttony · brains over brawn · just desserts · the joy of sharing
- The writing
- Bouncy, infectious rhyming couplets with a galloping meter that practically demands to be read aloud with dramatic voices.
- The arc
- Moves from the thrilling mischief of a swaggering bully to the deeply satisfying triumph of cleverness and a reformed villain.
- Who it's for
- Young listeners who delight in theatrical read-alouds, mild cartoon villainy, and seeing a greedy bully outsmarted.
Content notes
- mild cartoon bullying
- theft of food
About the book
A very bad rat rides his horse along the highway stealing travelers' food, from a rabbit's clover to a spider's flies, until clever Duck introduces him to her "sister."
Description from Open Library.
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