Description

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In this beautifully illustrated picture book from Lara Hawthorne, a mysterious creature from a secluded volcano crater explores the outside world for the very first time.

Ratty is an enormous rat who lives deep inside the crater of an extinct volcano nestled in the rain forest. One day, he spies a particularly delicious-looking fruit high in the treetops and sets out to reach it. From this high vantage point a spectacular view stretches before him—the world outside his mountain crater. In this big outside world, Ratty imagines, the fruit must be much sweeter, the bird songs more beautiful, and the other animals far more interesting and sophisticated. So he sets off in search of better things. But when he is asked to attend a dinner party by a crocodile who seems just a bit too friendly, Ratty realizes that perhaps there is no place like home after all.

Lara Hawthorne seamlessly combines story and fact in this picture book that celebrates the diversity of life and being thankful for what you have!

About the Author

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Lara Hawthorne is a graduate of Falmouth University in England. She is the author-illustrator of Herb and the illustrator of The King of Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy. Inspired by nature, myths, and legends, she creates wonderful small worlds with her distinct watercolor style. She lives in the UK.

Praise For…

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This is an enjoyable and entertaining tale, and readers will love welcoming Ratty from his home to theirs. . . . Genial jungle joy!
—Kirkus Reviews

Many of the illustrations, created with watercolor, gouache, and some digital amendments, are set on rich black backgrounds that allow the bright colors of the flora and fauna to stand out. Many of the birds and other animals depicted “are found nowhere else on earth,” making this crater a unique biome.
—Booklist