Items related to I Was a Rat! : Or the Scarlet Slippers
Synopsis
"I was a rat!"
So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it's true. But what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge newspaper is sure of it. A lucrative fairground freak? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. A championship wriggler and a budding thief? That's the hope of Billy and his gang. A victim of "Rodent Delusion"? So says the hospital doctor.
Or just an ordinary small boy, though a little ratty in his habits? Only three people believe this version of the story. And it may take a royal intervention--and a bit of magic--to convince the rest of the world. . . .
Set against the backdrop of a royal wedding--with a pertinent parody of the press--here's Philip Pullman's youngest, funniest novel to date: a magical weaving of humor, fairy tale, and adventure.
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Review
"Bless my soul!" said Bob. "Who are you?"When a grubby young pageboy knocks on the door of Bob the cobbler and Joan the washerwoman's house, the kindly couple hardly knows what to think. Could this delusional boy be the answer to their prayers for a little one of their own? And was he really once a rat? It seems so. He shreds his bedding, for example, and he chews his toast swiftly with his front teeth. He eats an entire pencil and bites his teacher. Despite the fact that he is a little ratty in his habits, the old couple grow quite fond of the young fellow.
"I was a rat," said the little boy.
In time, the word spreads that there's a rat-boy in town, news that intrigues everyone from the Royal Philosopher to the P.T. Barnum-inspired freak-peddler Oliver Tapscrew to a reporter from the local rag The Daily Scourge. As the harmless, well-meaning boy is transformed into "The Monster of the Sewers" through pure sensationalism and mass hysteria, Philip Pullman playfully satirizes the power of the press and society at large.
What does it mean to be human? In this often darkly comic Dickensian tale, rats start to look pretty good by comparison. But in a fairy-tale ending, Bob and Joan teach us that humans, corrupt as we are, can always take solace in toasted cheese, love, and good craftsmanship. Kevin Hawkes's black-and-white illustrations enliven the already vivacious adventure that, thanks to Pullman's ever lovely wordplay and sly satire, is every bit as enjoyable for adults as it is for young readers. (Ages 9 to 12) --Karin Snelson
From the Back Cover
"Phillip Pullman's tale is fast and clever."
-New York Times Book Review Sunday, May 14, 2000
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCorgi
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 0552211176
- ISBN 13 9780552211178
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages176
- IllustratorPeter Bailey
- Rating
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I Was a Rat!.Or, The Scarlet Slippers: World Book Day (Winner of the Smarties Prize and the Carnegie Medal): World Book Day Edition
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Peter Bailey (illustrator). I Was a Rat!.Or, The Scarlet Slippers: World Book Day (Winner of the Smarties Prize and the Carnegie Medal): World Book Day Edition This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780552211178
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I Was a Rat!.Or, The Scarlet Slippers: World Book Day (Winner of the Smarties Prize and the Carnegie Medal): World Book Day Edition
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Peter Bailey (illustrator). This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780552211178
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I Was a Rat!.Or, The Scarlet Slippers: World Book Day (Winner of the Smarties Prize and the Carnegie Medal) Pullman, Philip and Bailey, P.
Seller: Hay-on-Wye Booksellers, Hay-on-Wye, HEREF, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Peter Bailey (illustrator). Minor shelf wear, some edges do have some scuffs, otherwise book content is in very good condition. Seller Inventory # 33909-9
Quantity: 1 available