Rat Fair

by Leah Rose Kessler, Cleonique Hilsaca (Illustrator)

A nearly-wordless picture book about a group of rats who mix up a sign for an Art Fair, and instead create a jolly Rat Fair. A compassionate young boy steps up to save them from the humans who would sweep their festivities away.

When a group of industrious, fun-loving rats find letters fallen from an Art Fair sign, they put the sign back together—with one small adjustment—and get to work creating a spectacular RAT FAIR. Their fair is ruined when humans sweep away everything the rats have created. Undaunted, the rats switch gears and start working on their very own Rat Art Fair. As they are wrapping up their first day of the Rat Art Fair, a human child who has been following their progress from the sidelines catches them red handed, and the rats must decide if they can trust the child. A nearly wordless tale about how misunderstandings can lead to wonderful creativity.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Art

36 pages, Hardcover

Published June 29, 2021

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sign seems to welcome two different groups to the same event - this story of tolerance based on understanding will resonate with small children. Would be a very good book to talk about as far as how we all have to 'read between the lines' before we assume we know things about another group. Art is very 'kawaii' and meshes well with the story.

[KelseAwesomeness · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE SO ADORABLE!

[Katie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being fairly new to (nearly) wordless picture books, I wasn't sure what to expect of this one, but the charming illustrations and fun concept make it a winner right from the start. Children will love the mix-up causing an Art Fair to turn into a Rat Fair, and the subtle message of empathy and friendship at the end make this a good one to read over and over again.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable, almost wordless new picture book about a group of rats who fix a broken art fair sign to read rat fair. They work to create their own fair only to have their hard work swept away by humans. They double their efforts to create a rat art fair with a little help from a young boy. A heartwarming story of friendship and creativity!

[Srividhya Venkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

RAT FAIR is an adorable nearly wordless picture book. When the wind knocks out a few letters, ART Fair becomes RAT Fair, thanks to rats who are having a funfair of their own.
But later the (human) janitor sweeps away their funfair rides. The rats are quick to adapt and instead, they begin preparing for their own RAT ART fair.
Meanwhile, a little boy rescues the rats' funfair stuff from the trash. But as he plays with them using his tiny toys, he realizes how important the things must be to the rats. So he takes the things back to the art fair the next day. But will the rats trust him?
This book lends a great opportunity to bond and have conversations with young readers, who will want to look at the delightful illustrations again and again.
The rats' resilience and the little boy's considerate thinking provide things to learn from.

[Dina Hodara-Bono · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it was very sweet. As a New Yorker, I normally hate rats...but in this case, I'll make an exception. ;)

I don't have much experience with almost wordless picture books, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But the illustrations helped move the narrative along. I smiled at the interactions between the boy and the rats.

This book has so many great concepts woven in - the importance of seeing things for another perspective, appreciating the little things in life, understanding the value of things instead of just throwing them away, and being open to trusting and befriending others - even if they are different from you.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nearly wordless story told through illustrations of a fun, adorable and industrious group of rats, and a human child. The end pages lead you into the story when the rats find letters fallen from and ART FAIR sign, and fix it to say RAT FAIR. Their first structures are swept away by humans. Then they begin creating for their very own RAT ART FAIR.
The illustrations are adorable. Without text, it is fun for readers to embellish their own version of the story.
A human child catches the rats at their project. Can they trust him? He finds a safe place for the rats to have their fair.

Kindness, Trust

[Rochelle Melander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rat Fair, a nearly wordless picture book, takes the reader on an adventure to a rat fair, happening behind the scenes of a human art fair. When a janitor cleans up the rat’s fair, the rats decide to put on a rat art fair. But starting over means trusting a human child—and that could be risky. This sweet, whimsical book will appeal to children and adults who believe in the secret lives of rats and adore watching little beings create tiny adorable things. Kessler’s imaginative tale and Hilsaca’s colorful illustrations will delight young readers!

[Marzieh Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book with such sparse text, yet carrying so many subtle messages. A group of rats fix an art fair sign that has fallen apart- so it reads rat fair. An innocent mistake leads to a flurry of activity as the rats prepare work to sell at the fair. A little boy is also excited for the fair, and preparations are in full swing. The sign is fixed the next morning, but the rats make their own corrections! So cute! Little ones will enjoy interpreting the illustrations and the compassionate surprise at the end.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet wordless picture book shows the paralleling stories of an art fair run by humans and a "rat fair"— and then a "rat art fair"—that take place during the day and night, respectively. One human child, pictured with warm, medium brown skin and brown hair, bridges the two fairs and befriends the enterprising rats (who are completely adorable and are illustrated like the fuzzies little mice). Great for a kid who can grasp a more complex storyline and has fun coming up with their own tales.

Themes: Art, Animals, Community
Age range: All ages

[Morissa Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that can be read again and again, each time with new discoveries. The story, told almost exclusively in pictures that are colorful and charming, tells of two fairs happening in parallel but intersecting worlds. Through a funny mix-up, some rats with the help of a young boy hold their own fair out of sight from adult activities. Lots to explore and interpret, this book offers a slew of opportunities for conversations and storytelling.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book says so much in only a few words. Imaginations can soar while sharing this story with children. Having the sign changed from Art Fair to Rat Fair is so creative and can inspire playing around with other words to form something fun and unique.

The rats (and their heart-shaped noses), their fair, and art are all so adorable! And I love the sweet child who helps them—and the rat’s surprise for him at the end.

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally love wordless picture books because the illustrations still tell a narrative, with room for the readers' imagination as well. Leah Rose Kessler's narrative and concept mixes perfectly with Cleonique Hilsaca's illustrations to create a sweet story about a group of rats who fix a broken art fair sign to read rat fair. I love how the human boy also gets involved, touching on the theme of friendship.

[Becky Scharnhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved reading me stories when they were little, and this nearly wordless picture book about creativity and unexpected friendship provides children the perfect opportunity to do exactly that. Children will easily be able to decipher what’s going on in the colorful illustrations and will delight in telling this sweet story.

[Kira Bigwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

When wind blows the letters off a sign reading, “Art Fair,” some passing by rodents adorably assume the sign should read, “Rat Fair.” The premise of this mostly-wordless picture book is so charming, and children will love Kessler's story and Hilsaca’s absolutely endearing illustrations. Themes of compassion, friendship and the importance of the arts, are present. Super cute!

[Karen Yin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magical experience! In Rat Fair, a nearly wordless picture book, adorable chinchilla-like rats put on a Rat Fair by transposing the letters of an Art Fair sign. When their first attempt is literally swept away, a human child notices their efforts and lends them a hand. A sweet tale of allyship that will delight readers of all ages!

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nearly wordless picture book is full of humor and heart. Perfect for littles to "read" the illustrations and marvel at how compromise is achieved between the humans and rats, and the art fair and the rat fair. And the illustrations are adorable! Rat twirling teacups? Yes, please! As a former owner of pet rats, I'm glad to see a picture book featuring these sweet and intelligent animals.

[Howard Pearlstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

With very few words, Rat Fair gives young and emerging readers the opportunity to interpret the story on the their and enhance their inference skills. The book's clever beginning (with "art fair" become "rat fair") instantly draws in the reader and the child's empathy demonstrates a great lesson for all of us. A fun and engaging story for readers and pre-readers of all ages!

[Stephanie Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, adorable book. I did wonder about wordless picture books (this one is practically wordless), as I am a word person. But the author's role in creating the concept shines through, enhanced naturally by the illustrations. Kids will love it - and they can read to you.

[Karen Hausdoerffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rats and art--what's not to love? This book is funny and fun, and the image-based format makes it great for early literacy and helping children talk about a story. Would make a wonderful resource for English Language Learners and their families.

[Marie Hoy-Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children love this book. The story is so creative and unlike any concept I’ve seen before. It’s nearly wordless and they love using the pictures as clues to make their own version of the story. The illustrations are beautiful and there’s a diverse cast of characters.

[Katrina Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, heartfelt story with adorable and inclusive illustrations, including disability representation. So much is communicated with so few words. Teachers could use it to kick off a unit on anagrams or compassion.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a strong gust of wind blows a few letters off an art fair sign, a group of adorable rats try to put the sign back together and decide it must be a rat fair.

This story is mostly told via its illustrations, which are adorable. There’s hardly any text. Good for toddlers.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute rats and chubby folks enjoying an art fair. And the rats' ears are so big. Flawless, 10/10.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun book!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a children's books with adorable rats and no mice!

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations!!!

[Gina Soldano · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and interactive for young readers! I enjoyed sharing the story with my son, he could read it as well if not better than me through the illustrations. :)

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

i can't even handle how adorable this is. It manages to tell a super compassionate, problem-solving story with almost no words. Loved it.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute illustrations, no words, sweet concept