lovely book about finding belonging ( )

Usually when you think "Lauren Child", you think of Charlie and Lola... In this book, the main character switches from being a little girl (Lola), to being a little Rat. All is the same when it comes to style in that this book captures the child-like brain by emphasizing some words -- some in bold font, some bigger, some skinnier, some more spaced out (as if in a whisper), etc. The illustrations really set the scene for the book and what is discussed on each page, specifically. I loved this! ( )

The Pesky Rat, by Lauren Child is a story about a brown rat. The brown rat The brown rat sees other pets with their owners and longs to have a home. He even wants a name of his own. My children really loved that this book showed a number of different pets with their owners. They felt very sad for the brown rat. The brown rat writes a wanted ad to look for a owner. The ad was very cute and my children giggled when we read the ad together. Finally, the brown rat Is adopted by a man named Fortesque. Although the man, misread and thinks the brown rat is a kitten. The rat doesn't correct his new owner! Brown rat is finally home with a new name, Tiddles! I love the snarky style of Lauren Child's writing. I think she is funny to children and adults alike. ( )

That poor little pesky rat just wants to be a pet. He feels that he is not destined to be a street rat forever but no human will give the time of day. Where ever he goes he is known as that pesky rat, then he just gets shooed away. He wants a name, he wants to belong to some one. He does not care who he belongs to, he'll go to anyone. His friend Pierre has a home and he is a chinchilla so why would someone not want him? Even all of his other animal friends have homes, names and owners. That pesky rat decided to take action into his own hands and be proactive. He makes a sign saying he wants a home then waits. He waits and waits and waits and then finally! Finally that pesky rat has a home. He does not like that his owner dresses him but so what, he has a home. That pesky rat is now named "Kittycat." I loved this story and the ending was so funny. Truthfully, this story made me want a pet rat! Everyone needs a place to call home, even rats. ( )

I love how creative Lauren Child's writing is. She uses several different fonts and sizes and puts words in the most unusual places. This book is a touching story of a poor rat that longs for nothing more than to be a pet. Although his pet friends point out the downfalls of being a pet, the rat is still willing to compromise. The rat’s dreams are fulfilled when old Mr. Fortesque adopts him and finally gives him a name. So what if Mr. Fortesque thinks he’s a cat, makes him wear a sweater, and names him Tiddles. The ending will definitely have you laughing. ( )