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Ship Rats
“Bigs hunt us, they hurt us and they trap us. They spoil our food and make us sick. You can’t be friends with a Big. Bigs hate us. They want us all gone. Now I want you gone too!”
– Black Spot
Three young rats set out on an adventure which will take them around the world.
Born in a busy dock, sisters Rip, Lu and Preen join the crew of the Hydromyst, a Dutch ship sailing in the time of pirates, trade wars and wind.
Despised by the human sailors and distrusted by Black Spot, the dangerous Skipper of the rats, the three sisters have to win their place on the ship by undertaking a series of trials.
Lu’s friendship with a young stowaway will put all three sisters at risk - but worse is to come for everyone on board when the ship sails into a terrible storm.
Will the three sisters ever make it back to port?
Sea Rats is the first part of a trilogy charting the adventures of three rats and the human companions they meet along the way.
This book supports the APOPO Foundation which trains “Hero Rats” to save human lives. Visit www.apopo.org for details.
– Black Spot
Three young rats set out on an adventure which will take them around the world.
Born in a busy dock, sisters Rip, Lu and Preen join the crew of the Hydromyst, a Dutch ship sailing in the time of pirates, trade wars and wind.
Despised by the human sailors and distrusted by Black Spot, the dangerous Skipper of the rats, the three sisters have to win their place on the ship by undertaking a series of trials.
Lu’s friendship with a young stowaway will put all three sisters at risk - but worse is to come for everyone on board when the ship sails into a terrible storm.
Will the three sisters ever make it back to port?
Sea Rats is the first part of a trilogy charting the adventures of three rats and the human companions they meet along the way.
This book supports the APOPO Foundation which trains “Hero Rats” to save human lives. Visit www.apopo.org for details.
- GenresChildrens
ebook
Published April 13, 2017
18 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Rhian Waller
11 books38 followersRhian spends a lot of her time lost (in thought, in books, in general).
She has had numerous short stories and poems published in zines.
Her first book, Eithe's Way, won the Write Factor Shortlist award and was published by the Write Factor in 2013.
Ship Rats, her first children's book and part one of the Rat Tales Trilogy, was self-published to raise funds for APOPO HeroRATs. It won the Gold Wishing Shelf award for the 5-8 age category for 2017.
Collectively, the trilogy has raised more than £1,500 for the organisation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 10, 2019
Ship Rats by Rhian Waller was a great tale (or tail?) that was full of adventure. Sister rats Rip, Preen, and Lu suddenly find themselves on an exciting journey across the ocean fraught with danger and unforgettable characters. A wonderful read for both animal and ocean lovers alike! (I suppose land lubbers can get into it too) :)
August 29, 2017
Fun, exciting, and expertly written! I adored this book, as did my 9-year-old daughter. Waller does an excellent job of mixing fact and fun throughout this multi-faceted story. She is skilled at writing for children, adding in funny quips that entertain an adult and make a child feel well-understood. An excellent read!
February 15, 2018
Ship Rats is an amazing work about the rats. I loved the way how brilliantly the author described their thoughts, fear and communication.
July 9, 2017
I spent many years as second grade teacher. When analyzing a children’s book, my perspective will forever be colored by that lens. Kids are savvy readers,so it’s a challenging thing to write a book that appeals to them. It needs to be accessible, but not so dumbed down that it becomes boring. Ship Rats does a great job of walking that fine line.
Here, you have anything you could want in a children’s book - a fast moving adventure story to keep kids turning the page, opportunities to expand their knowledge about topics they may be unfamiliar with (in this case, rats and sailing), and characters who possess traits that worth aspiring to. It reminded me a bit of The Tale of Despereaux in its choice of an animal cast (rats here, instead of mice), the view of humans, and the way in which it breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader.
My students were primarily in the 7 to 8 year old range. The plot, characters, and general vibe of the book would definitely interest them. The tools provided by the author, such as a glossary and character list, are also excellent additions to aid the reader. The age range listed on the book is 5-8. However, I feel that only my advanced readers would be able to tackle the lexile of the words and specialized vocabulary. While this would make for a great read aloud for any child willing to listen, I would consider third through fifth graders (8 - 10 year olds) as a better audience for independent reading.
Even as an adult, I enjoyed this book. The three rat protagonists were well crafted. I admired Lu’s pluckiness and courage and Rip’s intelligence and ferocity, but personally identified with Preen’s longing for cleanliness and safety. The story line was creative and flowed quickly, not bogged down with any extraneous scenes, dialogue, or description. There were a few areas that could have perhaps used a bit more fleshing out, but that’s the adult in me talking. I’m not the target audience.
A strong solid effort. If I had the choice, I’d actually rate it a bit above four stars.
Here, you have anything you could want in a children’s book - a fast moving adventure story to keep kids turning the page, opportunities to expand their knowledge about topics they may be unfamiliar with (in this case, rats and sailing), and characters who possess traits that worth aspiring to. It reminded me a bit of The Tale of Despereaux in its choice of an animal cast (rats here, instead of mice), the view of humans, and the way in which it breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader.
My students were primarily in the 7 to 8 year old range. The plot, characters, and general vibe of the book would definitely interest them. The tools provided by the author, such as a glossary and character list, are also excellent additions to aid the reader. The age range listed on the book is 5-8. However, I feel that only my advanced readers would be able to tackle the lexile of the words and specialized vocabulary. While this would make for a great read aloud for any child willing to listen, I would consider third through fifth graders (8 - 10 year olds) as a better audience for independent reading.
Even as an adult, I enjoyed this book. The three rat protagonists were well crafted. I admired Lu’s pluckiness and courage and Rip’s intelligence and ferocity, but personally identified with Preen’s longing for cleanliness and safety. The story line was creative and flowed quickly, not bogged down with any extraneous scenes, dialogue, or description. There were a few areas that could have perhaps used a bit more fleshing out, but that’s the adult in me talking. I’m not the target audience.
A strong solid effort. If I had the choice, I’d actually rate it a bit above four stars.
August 10, 2017
This charming and exciting children’s story about a group of very young white rats, who stray aboard a wooden sailing ship and become involved in all kinds of adventures as it journeys across the high seas, is obviously written by a person who has kept them as pets. I can say that as someone who also had pet white rats as a teenager and whose daughter was equally captivated by these clean and clever pet creatures. The story is fast moving and full of challenging incidents that the three central characters, Lu, Rip and Preen, must face and overcome. There is a main adversary, Black Spot, a wild rat who is the leader of a gang aboard the ship who forces the young trio to take a number of special tests in order to prove they are not “pets”. He is particularly unpleasant and meanwhile of course the human crew, who the rats call the Bigs, display all the usual fears and prejudices against rats. And who, incidentally, express their misogyny about women aboard ships when a young Swedish girl is found as a stowaway.
Rhian Waller includes lots of curious, and often amusing, terms and new words in a “ratty” sense which will appeal to young readers of around 8 to 11 years I would guess. I especially like the word “rittens” used to describe baby rats as opposed to “kittens” the usual appellation. I also applaud the fact that the author wishes to use money from the sales of the book to support the HeroRATS of an organisation that uses trained rats to find the hidden landmines from various wars. The book would greatly benefit from the inclusion of a number of illustrations throughout the story as it is aimed at children. Otherwise, I can recommend it as an interesting and intriguing tale that is definitely different.
Rhian Waller includes lots of curious, and often amusing, terms and new words in a “ratty” sense which will appeal to young readers of around 8 to 11 years I would guess. I especially like the word “rittens” used to describe baby rats as opposed to “kittens” the usual appellation. I also applaud the fact that the author wishes to use money from the sales of the book to support the HeroRATS of an organisation that uses trained rats to find the hidden landmines from various wars. The book would greatly benefit from the inclusion of a number of illustrations throughout the story as it is aimed at children. Otherwise, I can recommend it as an interesting and intriguing tale that is definitely different.
March 21, 2018
Great book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about Lu, her sisters, and their adventure at sea. The story was interesting and the characters lovable. The way the author conveyed how rats think and speak was perfect for children and hopefully will help them better appreciate these often misunderstood animals. The fact that the series will benefit a non-profit organization makes it even better.
Five stars for an amazing story!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about Lu, her sisters, and their adventure at sea. The story was interesting and the characters lovable. The way the author conveyed how rats think and speak was perfect for children and hopefully will help them better appreciate these often misunderstood animals. The fact that the series will benefit a non-profit organization makes it even better.
Five stars for an amazing story!
June 26, 2018
This is a good adventure for children told from the viewpoint of rats aboard a ship. The author says ages 7 to 9, but I feel this book would appeal to an older audience above age 9. It is a great idea and a fun book of adventure that would be great for parents to read chapter by chapter as a bedtime tale.
August 24, 2017
I enjoyed Ship Rats very much. It's written in clear, fresh language easy for reading by or to children of around 7 or 8 upwards, I'd reckon. I think it's an appealing mix of fantasy and real life, full of adventures wittily told, all leading to a satisfying climax. The pace is great and each chapter gives you appetite for the next. I like the way it manages to intermingle the human and animal stories without stretching credibility or over-anthropomorphising (right word?), and I love the inventiveness of language. Really unusual, well worth having on your children's bookshelf. Hope there will be more to follow.
January 5, 2019
This book is well-written, easy to read, and has cute illustrations spread throughout it. It flows well from chapter to chapter and never failed to keep my interest. It is a sweet little read filled with family, adventure, and brave little rat sisters. This book pulled me right into Rhian Waller's well-crafted world of rats. Reminiscent of The Tale of Despereaux, Ship Rats introduces us to a version of our own world as seen and experienced through the eyes of a rat. There is familial love, heroism and even a bit of treachery experienced within these pages. You'll find yourself flying through the pages as you root for Lu and her sisters to succeed.
This book is written for middle-school age children, but I don't think that means adults can't enjoy it as well, seeing as I quite liked it. If you have a child who enjoys books about animals and/or adventure stories or find you yourself enjoy a nice sweet young adult novel every now and again, think about giving this book a try. I had fun reading it, and would definitely check out the next book in the series.
This book is written for middle-school age children, but I don't think that means adults can't enjoy it as well, seeing as I quite liked it. If you have a child who enjoys books about animals and/or adventure stories or find you yourself enjoy a nice sweet young adult novel every now and again, think about giving this book a try. I had fun reading it, and would definitely check out the next book in the series.
February 10, 2018
I enjoyed this children’s adventure story and look forward to reading more in this trilogy.
Three young rats (rittens -reworded from kittens), Lu, Rip and Preen, are sisters who unwittingly join the crew of a Dutch sailing ship which sets sail for Jamaica.
The little rats are immediately likeable and have their own very different personalities and traits. Lu has courage, Rip is fiercely loyal and courageous, and Preen likes to be clean and safe. Their different characters are tested to the limits when the ship’s resident leader of the wild rats, Black Spot, sets them three challenges that they must win to be accepted on board as wild rats, rather than pets. As Lu, Rip and Preen work against the clock to meet the challenges, the pace heightens with the arrival of a terrible storm with the added challenge of avoiding the Bigs (humans).
Beneath the book’s storyline, and in particular through Kree (a rat code of conduct) there are messages about, family, loyalty, trust, bullying, and survival through teamwork. The reader will also learn a lot about rats along the way. I particularly liked that this book raises funds for and supports the APOPO Foundation which trains “Hero Rats” to save human lives. I had never heard of this charity.
An adventure story for young children which includes some life messages as well as some facts about rats and sailing to expand their knowledge. A pleasurable read.
Three young rats (rittens -reworded from kittens), Lu, Rip and Preen, are sisters who unwittingly join the crew of a Dutch sailing ship which sets sail for Jamaica.
The little rats are immediately likeable and have their own very different personalities and traits. Lu has courage, Rip is fiercely loyal and courageous, and Preen likes to be clean and safe. Their different characters are tested to the limits when the ship’s resident leader of the wild rats, Black Spot, sets them three challenges that they must win to be accepted on board as wild rats, rather than pets. As Lu, Rip and Preen work against the clock to meet the challenges, the pace heightens with the arrival of a terrible storm with the added challenge of avoiding the Bigs (humans).
Beneath the book’s storyline, and in particular through Kree (a rat code of conduct) there are messages about, family, loyalty, trust, bullying, and survival through teamwork. The reader will also learn a lot about rats along the way. I particularly liked that this book raises funds for and supports the APOPO Foundation which trains “Hero Rats” to save human lives. I had never heard of this charity.
An adventure story for young children which includes some life messages as well as some facts about rats and sailing to expand their knowledge. A pleasurable read.
August 3, 2017
A Charming Tale of Rats of Daring Do
"You are too big to be a mouse," said the girl in a quavering voice. "And your tail is bald. But you haven't bitten me yet. You must be a nice creature."
Lu and her sisters Preen and Rip, find themselves separated from their family and off in the wide world on a shipboard adventure. There they have to contend with avoiding the 'Bigs' (humans) and the despotic ruler of the rat colony Black Spot who sets them tests to prove they are true rats and not pets. On board the ship is also a little girl who is stowing away...
This is a wonderful children's story. It would be the perfect bedtime read-aloud. It is well written, warm and with just enough tension and danger to make it gripping. The choice of female characters, all brave and believable, adds to the appeal of this lovely book.
My only real criticism is that sometimes the authorial voice might be a little too strong - but then it is clearly meant as a read-aloud, so having the storyteller as a presence in the story is not really too much of an issue.
Very highly recommended to anyone looking for a new bedtime favourite for reading to their children.
"You are too big to be a mouse," said the girl in a quavering voice. "And your tail is bald. But you haven't bitten me yet. You must be a nice creature."
Lu and her sisters Preen and Rip, find themselves separated from their family and off in the wide world on a shipboard adventure. There they have to contend with avoiding the 'Bigs' (humans) and the despotic ruler of the rat colony Black Spot who sets them tests to prove they are true rats and not pets. On board the ship is also a little girl who is stowing away...
This is a wonderful children's story. It would be the perfect bedtime read-aloud. It is well written, warm and with just enough tension and danger to make it gripping. The choice of female characters, all brave and believable, adds to the appeal of this lovely book.
My only real criticism is that sometimes the authorial voice might be a little too strong - but then it is clearly meant as a read-aloud, so having the storyteller as a presence in the story is not really too much of an issue.
Very highly recommended to anyone looking for a new bedtime favourite for reading to their children.
August 7, 2017
Rhian Waller's "Ship Rats: A Story of Heroism on the High Seas" is about three little sister rats who end up on a ship that sets sail. It's a nicely written book that teaches youngsters about bullies, teamwork, and sailing ships in a way that will keep children enthralled. The concepts are easy for young ones to understand, and the individual characterization of each rat is distinct and well done.
December 25, 2018
A heartwarming, enjoyable read for all ages.
The curiosity of a little rat Lu leads her and her sisters into an unexpected adventure far from their home and Mum Rat. Along the way, they make friends with some rats--plus Lu with a human girl, tackle some challenges, and be heroes together.
Though I can't say I completely agree with the author's view of rats, this story does make me see rats in a different way. With young readers as target audience, this story is very easy to follow. A slight twists in the story keeps the readers' attention. I really like the idea of kree that keep the rats at peace anytime they have problems and the friendship of Lu with the human girl Runa.
I received a free copy of this book in accordance with the terms of For Love of a Book's Advanced Review Opportunity program.
The curiosity of a little rat Lu leads her and her sisters into an unexpected adventure far from their home and Mum Rat. Along the way, they make friends with some rats--plus Lu with a human girl, tackle some challenges, and be heroes together.
Though I can't say I completely agree with the author's view of rats, this story does make me see rats in a different way. With young readers as target audience, this story is very easy to follow. A slight twists in the story keeps the readers' attention. I really like the idea of kree that keep the rats at peace anytime they have problems and the friendship of Lu with the human girl Runa.
I received a free copy of this book in accordance with the terms of For Love of a Book's Advanced Review Opportunity program.
July 29, 2017
Well-paced and accessible children's book that would be a good read for any adult. It's a good introduction to ships for the young, and although the fantasy elements are missing, I can't help but he reminded of Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Reepicheep.(Yes, I know these are rats and Reepicheep is a field mouse, but...). I loved Waller's creation of a rat "culture" and the only drawback- which is minor- is the author breaking the fourth wall and commentating/explaining items from the author's perspective. Maybe that is more common in children's books, but it's not pervasive and did not diminish the overall quality of the book. I would highly recommend.
July 8, 2017
Ship Rats by Rhain Waller is a cute little story about rats that save the day. It is meant for children ages 6 to 8 and while I think the story itself would appeal to that age group, it seems like the reading level may be a bit advanced for first through third graders.
I thought the writing in this book was good, the rat characters were likeable, and the ending was as expected and satisfying. There was nothing spectacular here, just a good solid story for kids. I think it would be a fine read aloud book for young children.
I liked that along with the story of three sister rats, the author gives the reader some interesting facts about both ships and rats. I also appreciate the fact that the book is a fundraiser for an organization that trains rats to sniff out land mines.
I thought the writing in this book was good, the rat characters were likeable, and the ending was as expected and satisfying. There was nothing spectacular here, just a good solid story for kids. I think it would be a fine read aloud book for young children.
I liked that along with the story of three sister rats, the author gives the reader some interesting facts about both ships and rats. I also appreciate the fact that the book is a fundraiser for an organization that trains rats to sniff out land mines.
January 18, 2018
The author of this book is a friend of mine, so I started reading it expecting it to be cute and well written. It is actually brilliant and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would (no comment on the writer's skill - I'm just not a typical reader of children's books!)
This is a tightly-plotted, beautifully written, surprisingly informative and well characterised little book. The rats are such engaging and believable characters - they behave like real rats, not your typical anthropomorphised ones, because they /are/ real rats. Despite being (I imagine!) perfect for children, this book never oversimplifies and comes complete with a glossary of nautical terms. The history, nauticalia and rat facts are woven so seamlessly into the story that it never feels forced or too complicated for children to take in.
I actually got a bit emotional reading the exciting 'finale' scene. I'd thoroughly recommend this lovely book as a charming and riveting read for kids and adults alike, and it's also being sold to aid a great cause.
This is a tightly-plotted, beautifully written, surprisingly informative and well characterised little book. The rats are such engaging and believable characters - they behave like real rats, not your typical anthropomorphised ones, because they /are/ real rats. Despite being (I imagine!) perfect for children, this book never oversimplifies and comes complete with a glossary of nautical terms. The history, nauticalia and rat facts are woven so seamlessly into the story that it never feels forced or too complicated for children to take in.
I actually got a bit emotional reading the exciting 'finale' scene. I'd thoroughly recommend this lovely book as a charming and riveting read for kids and adults alike, and it's also being sold to aid a great cause.
July 4, 2017
"Ship Rats - A Story of Heroism on the High Seas" has a very unique and interesting premise - stowaway rats on a ship! Usually it's a human, but in this case it's rats. These rats have all sorts of troubles which they have to manage throughout the book. The troubles are not the usual icky rat kind of trouble. These troubles are the truly endearing, charming types of troubles. They bring an entirely fresh and loving perspective to the term 'rat'. There's also lots of adventure - more than enough to keep a young reader trapped when reading this book.
Rhian Waller is a true 'rat whisperer'. Somehow, she understands the inner workings of a rat's mind. It's not turning them into little humans. It's giving voice to the minds and souls of rats, and writing is her mode of communication. After reading this book, I'm finding that I love rats. How about that?
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rhian Waller is a true 'rat whisperer'. Somehow, she understands the inner workings of a rat's mind. It's not turning them into little humans. It's giving voice to the minds and souls of rats, and writing is her mode of communication. After reading this book, I'm finding that I love rats. How about that?
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 29, 2019
A lovely, engaging and exciting book to read to your child or have your child read for themselves.
Waller says rats are prone to adventure because they are brave and bright. They are also small enough to pick up in one hand. When you are that size, even crossing a room can be a challenge. In knowing this, we recognise how daunting the world is for Lu the rat, and her two brave sisters, as she struggles to survive on a ship where people and other rats would prefer she were not aboard.
This is the first book in a series of adventures and is a great, well-written introduction with a clear flow that includes intrigue, excitement, sisterly-love and double-cross. I would highly recommend Ship Rats - A Tale of Heroism On the High Seas to those who love reading to their children. It clearly deserves 5 stars, and I am sure Waller’s other books in the series deserve the same.
Now to the next.
Waller says rats are prone to adventure because they are brave and bright. They are also small enough to pick up in one hand. When you are that size, even crossing a room can be a challenge. In knowing this, we recognise how daunting the world is for Lu the rat, and her two brave sisters, as she struggles to survive on a ship where people and other rats would prefer she were not aboard.
This is the first book in a series of adventures and is a great, well-written introduction with a clear flow that includes intrigue, excitement, sisterly-love and double-cross. I would highly recommend Ship Rats - A Tale of Heroism On the High Seas to those who love reading to their children. It clearly deserves 5 stars, and I am sure Waller’s other books in the series deserve the same.
Now to the next.
July 4, 2017
Ship Rats is the kind of thing I would have loved to read as a kid!
On the face of it an adventure story, but reading as an adult you can also see a lot of educational stuff in there as well, which will hopefully go some way towards redressing the negative stigma that's still attached to rats. Children reading this will learn how wonderful and clever rats really are, and that they can be heroes too (as attested to by the charity that a proportion of the book sales will go towards).
I'd recommend this to any child who loves to read - in fact, I've already given copies to a few young people of my acquaintance!
On the face of it an adventure story, but reading as an adult you can also see a lot of educational stuff in there as well, which will hopefully go some way towards redressing the negative stigma that's still attached to rats. Children reading this will learn how wonderful and clever rats really are, and that they can be heroes too (as attested to by the charity that a proportion of the book sales will go towards).
I'd recommend this to any child who loves to read - in fact, I've already given copies to a few young people of my acquaintance!
June 17, 2018
Great story could use better artwork.
August 31, 2018
Ship Rats is an adventurous tale of intrigue, humor and all-out fun. Who knew rats could have an agenda other than eating everything in sight? In this story, they are not only hilarious and loyal to their code of honor, i.e., the ‘kree,’ but also territorial and highly competitive. Ship Rats reads similar to a picture book as scenes fade in and out. The ship scenes are excellent! Sails toss to and fro as rats scamper across decks, displaying their unique personalities. The story is wildly funny too as the privileged rats find themselves engaged with wild rats. It quickly becomes a game of survival of the fittest in the midst of the ‘Bigs,' also known as humans. Ship Rats have character; some are prideful, others are curious, and some might be funny or mean. For the most part, they manage to steer clear of close-call after close-call and of course, the elders ensure the safety of their young, i.e., the rittens, in attempts to provide guidance that is often ignored. Maybe, rats can have a lifestyle outside of the ‘Bigs.' The escapades of Lu and Pew are especially interesting as the two bring to mind a ‘Tom and Jerry,’ type of interaction. If Ship Rats were to incorporate colorful illustration, the stories would come to life for young children, allowing them to see the interaction on every page and a storyteller might add their own voice inflection of character as they show children pictures that represent each scene. With that being said, Ship Rats is very entertaining with or without pictures. Readers will be able to visualize scenes with imagination as the story is very-well written. Ship Rats is fun, entertaining, and interesting; this book could easily fall into the category of media arts.
June 30, 2018
Ship Rats is a surprising book about "rittens." Not kittens, mind you but young rats. While the topic of rats is not usually a desirable subject, especially in the tropics where people are getting seriously ill from lungwort disease (a brain infection) due to rats, this book has an innocence that is indeed charming. The rittens accidentally end up on a large sailing ship and must survive the mean king rat there, the drunk, nasty sailors and the storms that arise unexpectedly throughout their trip. The rittens have a lot to overcome.
To live in harmony, the rittens must live by kree. This is an honor system of keeping one's word and not holding onto grudges. It means working through conflict and then letting go. What a great message to send to children when reading this book out loud. It is an opportunity to teach children about conflict resolution. Also, the sailing journey to the new world teaches the children about history. The sailing map in the back of the book and the word glossary adds to the lessons inherent in this book.
The sketches are lively and amusing. Well done. One word of caution: it is important that this book ends with family reunification. Yes, loyal friendships are made on the boat trip, but most children have a great fear of losing their parents.
And of course, rats are extremely smart and family oriented, but they are dangerous to humans. Unfortunately, that must be part of the lesson, too. Even accidentally touching the urine of a rat can be deadly. Ask any farmer.
Still and all, this is an exciting book for children. It is visually exciting, full of adventure, and imparts great lessons in a fun way.
To live in harmony, the rittens must live by kree. This is an honor system of keeping one's word and not holding onto grudges. It means working through conflict and then letting go. What a great message to send to children when reading this book out loud. It is an opportunity to teach children about conflict resolution. Also, the sailing journey to the new world teaches the children about history. The sailing map in the back of the book and the word glossary adds to the lessons inherent in this book.
The sketches are lively and amusing. Well done. One word of caution: it is important that this book ends with family reunification. Yes, loyal friendships are made on the boat trip, but most children have a great fear of losing their parents.
And of course, rats are extremely smart and family oriented, but they are dangerous to humans. Unfortunately, that must be part of the lesson, too. Even accidentally touching the urine of a rat can be deadly. Ask any farmer.
Still and all, this is an exciting book for children. It is visually exciting, full of adventure, and imparts great lessons in a fun way.
April 15, 2018
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards www.thewsa.co.uk. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Ship Rats
Author: Rhian Waller
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 22
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
22 thought the cover was good or excellent.
22 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
16 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
22 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Fantastic setting and memorable characters, mostly rats!!!’ Teacher, aged 43
‘I love this book. The rats were cool. I liked the adventure they had and how clever they were.’ Boy, aged 8
‘Well-written with tons of pace. The beginning grabbed you, and the ending was exciting. Perfect for kids aged 7 – 9.’ Teacher, aged 56
‘What a lovely writing style. Excellent balance of pacey, fun happenings and cleverly woven-in description. There’s even a bit of humour. Young children will enjoy this very much.’ Parent, aged 36
‘I liked all the strange words and trying to work out what they meant.’ Girl, aged 9
‘I think it will help children to think about how important it is to face up to a difficult challenge.’ Boy, aged 8
To Sum It Up:
‘A fast-paced, fun adventure – with rats! A Gold Medal Winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Ship Rats
Author: Rhian Waller
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 22
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
22 thought the cover was good or excellent.
22 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
16 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
22 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Fantastic setting and memorable characters, mostly rats!!!’ Teacher, aged 43
‘I love this book. The rats were cool. I liked the adventure they had and how clever they were.’ Boy, aged 8
‘Well-written with tons of pace. The beginning grabbed you, and the ending was exciting. Perfect for kids aged 7 – 9.’ Teacher, aged 56
‘What a lovely writing style. Excellent balance of pacey, fun happenings and cleverly woven-in description. There’s even a bit of humour. Young children will enjoy this very much.’ Parent, aged 36
‘I liked all the strange words and trying to work out what they meant.’ Girl, aged 9
‘I think it will help children to think about how important it is to face up to a difficult challenge.’ Boy, aged 8
To Sum It Up:
‘A fast-paced, fun adventure – with rats! A Gold Medal Winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
September 1, 2017
Ship Rats is a charming, entertaining tale of three young rats who find themselves aboard a ship, fighting for their survival. As someone who would be much more likely to run from a rat than to have one for a pet, I found myself cheering for the heroes of the story as Rhian Waller created very cute, feisty, and likeable animal characters.
The sisters, Lu, Pip, and Preen, don’t plan on sailing away on a ship, but when circumstances find them doing just that, they are forced to learn on the fly and to try to keep themselves from being tossed overboard when Black Spot, the leader of the rat gang on board, decides they are pet rats and not worthy of a spot on the ship. While the sisters are forced to undertake some harrowing tasks set forth by Black Spot, they are also on the lookout for Bigs (humans), and on a nearly constant search for food.
The story is well written and should appeal to kids in the primary grades. While the kids are engrossed in the story, they will also learn facts about rats and about ships as Waller includes several educational tidbits throughout.
There are several mentions of alcohol and drinking, sometimes to excess, in the story. I’m guessing it’s an accurate portrayal of life aboard a ship, but parents should be aware that there may be questions to answer from younger children.
According to the author, a portion of the proceeds from the book are donated to an organization that trains rats to sniff out land mines. Bravo!
The sisters, Lu, Pip, and Preen, don’t plan on sailing away on a ship, but when circumstances find them doing just that, they are forced to learn on the fly and to try to keep themselves from being tossed overboard when Black Spot, the leader of the rat gang on board, decides they are pet rats and not worthy of a spot on the ship. While the sisters are forced to undertake some harrowing tasks set forth by Black Spot, they are also on the lookout for Bigs (humans), and on a nearly constant search for food.
The story is well written and should appeal to kids in the primary grades. While the kids are engrossed in the story, they will also learn facts about rats and about ships as Waller includes several educational tidbits throughout.
There are several mentions of alcohol and drinking, sometimes to excess, in the story. I’m guessing it’s an accurate portrayal of life aboard a ship, but parents should be aware that there may be questions to answer from younger children.
According to the author, a portion of the proceeds from the book are donated to an organization that trains rats to sniff out land mines. Bravo!
August 20, 2018
It used to be considered bad luck to have a female on board a ship. This story is about four girls on board a Danish schooner, the Hydromyst, enroute to Jamaica. One, the “big” (that's ratspeak for human) is a little girl stow-away in search of her father. The other three are very young rats, or rittens, who accidentally ended up onboard the departing ship on their very first time out from behind the skirting board in the customs office. The rest of the cast includes the crew of the Hydromyst, and the on-board rat community. The king of the rats, Black Spot, is a “rat” in every sense of the word, hated even by the rats, but he’s the undisputed king, enthroned on a coil of rope. Lu and her two sisters have to earn their right to stay on board and not be - well - drowned like rats, which is what Black Spot is determined to see happen.
From the point of view of the human crew, these aren't talking animals, though the rats understand each other just fine. Lu and the stow-away human girl also come up with their own way of understanding each other. In the end, it's these two who save everyone, bigs and rats alike from drowning like latter.
Rhian Waller writes from a solid knowledge of both ships and rats. Great story, deserving of five stars.
From the point of view of the human crew, these aren't talking animals, though the rats understand each other just fine. Lu and the stow-away human girl also come up with their own way of understanding each other. In the end, it's these two who save everyone, bigs and rats alike from drowning like latter.
Rhian Waller writes from a solid knowledge of both ships and rats. Great story, deserving of five stars.
January 25, 2018
Five Category Rating System:
Concept: Star
Writing: 1/2 Star
Structure: 1/2 Star
Credibility: Star
Character: Star
-------------------------
Total: 4 Stars
Audience Suitability: Preteen and older
"Ship Rats" follows three young rats through their adventures aboard an eighteenth century sailing vessel.
What I did not like:
Even assuming that this book was written for children, terms and circumstances were explained excessively. The story would have carried better without them. The narrative shifted too mercurially between rat and human point of view. This made it difficult to maintain suspension of disbelief.
What I did like:
It was obvious that the writer did more than the necessary research into rats and ships. The characters and environments were all convincing. The writing was good, when not over-explaining. After the first few pages every time I put down the book, I found myself wanting to pick it up again. (A very good sign that most books cannot achieve.) If a few typos and the criticisms noted above were addressed, I would give this book five stars.
I would recommend this unusual adventure story to young and old without reservation.
Concept: Star
Writing: 1/2 Star
Structure: 1/2 Star
Credibility: Star
Character: Star
-------------------------
Total: 4 Stars
Audience Suitability: Preteen and older
"Ship Rats" follows three young rats through their adventures aboard an eighteenth century sailing vessel.
What I did not like:
Even assuming that this book was written for children, terms and circumstances were explained excessively. The story would have carried better without them. The narrative shifted too mercurially between rat and human point of view. This made it difficult to maintain suspension of disbelief.
What I did like:
It was obvious that the writer did more than the necessary research into rats and ships. The characters and environments were all convincing. The writing was good, when not over-explaining. After the first few pages every time I put down the book, I found myself wanting to pick it up again. (A very good sign that most books cannot achieve.) If a few typos and the criticisms noted above were addressed, I would give this book five stars.
I would recommend this unusual adventure story to young and old without reservation.
September 5, 2017
This story is endearing and teaches valuable moral lessons on how to stand up for what you believe is right and to meet challenges head on. The setting is quite unique, that aboard a cargo ship from a few hundred years ago.
The juxtaposition makes me wonder, though. The vocabulary, although the prose is quite simple and succinct, could at times knock this book out of its intended audience, middle grade readers. I'm not sure that a book on talking rats aboard a traditional wooden ship would interest middle grade readers these days. If I shared the interest the author obviously demonstrates in this book, I could overcompensate for my lack of personal interest in the story, but as it stands, it is neither I, nor what I think is the target market, are vested in the background for this story.
This might work for younger readers, though, if the book was written at a level for them, i.e. ages six to nine.
The juxtaposition makes me wonder, though. The vocabulary, although the prose is quite simple and succinct, could at times knock this book out of its intended audience, middle grade readers. I'm not sure that a book on talking rats aboard a traditional wooden ship would interest middle grade readers these days. If I shared the interest the author obviously demonstrates in this book, I could overcompensate for my lack of personal interest in the story, but as it stands, it is neither I, nor what I think is the target market, are vested in the background for this story.
This might work for younger readers, though, if the book was written at a level for them, i.e. ages six to nine.
December 8, 2017
This is a likeable adventure of three sister rats who find themselves on board a sailing ship bound for Jamaica. The prose is well written and easy to follow. The writer identifies in an uncomplicated fashion the various parts of the ship and the crew and integrates these descriptions seamlessly into the plot. (I can forgive the odd occasion where it becomes a little too technical.)
The tale is told in a sensitive, loving manner, and it’s obvious the author is well versed in the subject matter. Rats don’t hold grudges, we are told, but there is one rat on board who wants to be rid of the three newcomers to his fiefdom. There is action aplenty as our heroine rat, Lu, and her sisters accept the five challenges from the leader of the ship’s rats, Skip, to show they can “sneak, steal, scrap, swim and scale” in order to remain aboard.
The climax is a high action sequence that is easy to visualise and gets you involved.
All in all a delightful short story. I highly recommend it.
The tale is told in a sensitive, loving manner, and it’s obvious the author is well versed in the subject matter. Rats don’t hold grudges, we are told, but there is one rat on board who wants to be rid of the three newcomers to his fiefdom. There is action aplenty as our heroine rat, Lu, and her sisters accept the five challenges from the leader of the ship’s rats, Skip, to show they can “sneak, steal, scrap, swim and scale” in order to remain aboard.
The climax is a high action sequence that is easy to visualise and gets you involved.
All in all a delightful short story. I highly recommend it.
September 7, 2017
Adventure. Excitement. Charm. Ship Rats was a joy to read.
The pace was fast, as is needed to hold the attention of children- and most adults. Some of the stylistic choices were perfect for conveying the fantastic sense of being in a rat’s world. The plot held my attention, and mingled the rat and human/big elements cleverly.
The rats, especially the sisters, were characters with admirable traits, all with distinct personalities. Runa was a darling little girl who added solid connection between the rats and bigs.
It was so refreshing to see a story with rats in a positive light. I’ve had several pet rats and I can attest that, as the story indicates, they are clean very intelligent. I can easily recommend this for children of ages, and even adults, like myself, who enjoy a lighthearted adventure.
The pace was fast, as is needed to hold the attention of children- and most adults. Some of the stylistic choices were perfect for conveying the fantastic sense of being in a rat’s world. The plot held my attention, and mingled the rat and human/big elements cleverly.
The rats, especially the sisters, were characters with admirable traits, all with distinct personalities. Runa was a darling little girl who added solid connection between the rats and bigs.
It was so refreshing to see a story with rats in a positive light. I’ve had several pet rats and I can attest that, as the story indicates, they are clean very intelligent. I can easily recommend this for children of ages, and even adults, like myself, who enjoy a lighthearted adventure.
December 3, 2017
A wonderful story about rats, adventure and smarts.
This entertaining story is about three rat sisters that accidentally fell out of their home and lured unto a huge ship. They found themselves having to use smarts and cunning to fight for their survival. The well-written tale shown from the rats perspective, endeavours to provide a new view on rats and also encapsulates great morals that should be taught to any child. Filled with fun facts I believe children closer to age ten will enjoy the story more but the younger ages may need some help reading it.
With this fast pace read kids are sure to enjoy the adventure as the three rittens (this term so cute) Lu, Preen and Rip discover more about themselves.
Overall the story was really enjoyable and I do look forward to future tales.
This entertaining story is about three rat sisters that accidentally fell out of their home and lured unto a huge ship. They found themselves having to use smarts and cunning to fight for their survival. The well-written tale shown from the rats perspective, endeavours to provide a new view on rats and also encapsulates great morals that should be taught to any child. Filled with fun facts I believe children closer to age ten will enjoy the story more but the younger ages may need some help reading it.
With this fast pace read kids are sure to enjoy the adventure as the three rittens (this term so cute) Lu, Preen and Rip discover more about themselves.
Overall the story was really enjoyable and I do look forward to future tales.
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