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Ein Weihnachtsgeschenk für Walter
Walter ist keine gewöhnliche Ratte, denn er kann lesen. Kein Wunder, dass er sich nach Sir Walter Scott benannt hat! Er lebt im Haus von Miss Pomeroy, einer alten Dame, die Kinderbücher schreibt und eine herrliche Bibliothek besitzt. Dort macht Walter jedoch eines Tages eine erschütternde Entdeckung: Der Held in Miss Pomeroys Kinderbüchern ist ausgerechnet eine Maus!
Walter, der als kultivierte Ratte sehr unter dem schlechten Ruf seiner Artgenossen leidet, ist zutiefst gekränkt und beschließt, Miss Pomeroy einen Brief zu schreiben. So beginnt eine ungewöhnliche Freundschaft. Und am Weihnachtstag wartet eine wunderbare Überraschung auf Walter ...
Walter, der als kultivierte Ratte sehr unter dem schlechten Ruf seiner Artgenossen leidet, ist zutiefst gekränkt und beschließt, Miss Pomeroy einen Brief zu schreiben. So beginnt eine ungewöhnliche Freundschaft. Und am Weihnachtstag wartet eine wunderbare Überraschung auf Walter ...
61 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Wersba
42 books15 followersBarbara Wersba was born in Chicago, moved to California, and then to New York City. She attended Bard College, and after graduating returned to Greenwich Village to study acting with Paul Mann. She received an honorary doctorate from Bard. In 1994, Wersba founded The Bookman Press, a small-press publishing company. She lives in Sag Harbor, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 20, 2023
It is a very sweet and moving short children's book. Identity discovery and an allegory for friendship, love, and connection.
And the art work by Donna Diamond is delightful. You will shed a tear.
5 🌟
And the art work by Donna Diamond is delightful. You will shed a tear.
5 🌟
January 29, 2023
This charming tale of Walter the rat made me laugh out loud at a few parts. Walter was born knowing how to read, and he fills his lonely days exploring literature. He lives in the home of Miss Amanda Pomeroy, a writer who has written numerous children's books with a mouse as a hero. Miss Pomeroy is also lonely, Walter can feel her loneliness, and he reaches out to her with a note to say hello and tell her that he lives in her house too. She knows he does, and her reply is to stop eating her expensive biscuits. Thus begins a tentative friendship where Walter tries to figure out why Miss Pomeroy is so lonely and grumpy, and why the bio on the back of her books says she likes gardening and cooking, when Walter knows that's not true. (The garden is a tangled mess, and Walter cringes to think of eating her dinner leftovers of TV dinners). Walter complains to her about mice being the hero of so many books, and she recommends a few classics with rats, which he reads with pleasure. The conclusion is on Christmas Day with a delightful exchange of presents, and the beginning of a new companionship between Walter and Miss Pomeroy.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
July 6, 2010
Thanks to my Goodreads friend Krista’s cats, I read this book. The cats enjoyed it so I figured it must be a good book.
This book is so charming that I as I was reading there were times I could barely stand it. It was very amusing and also extremely lovely and it definitely got to me emotionally. I ached for and felt affection for both the main characters.
This is a very text heavy long story picture book. I’d call it an illustrated novella more than a picture book.
The story is continually and unexpectedly funny, very funny in parts. There is one somewhat gruesome reference that managed to be funny too: “…Walter, had committed only one crime. In a moment of hunger and confusion he had eaten two of his offspring, but he had been only eight months old at the time – a young, impetuous rat – and he had never done it again.” I also enjoyed how the author bio information is one of Miss Pomeroy’s children’s books (about mice) was no longer accurate. It made me think about the validity of those author bios on book covers. I loved the book within the book which is also titled “Walter: The Story of a Rat” and how it comes to be written.
I loved Walter (a lonely rat who can read, and write) and Miss Pomeroy (a solitary children’s books author), but I’m afraid this book won’t win me over to rats in the house (I have had them in my apartment building, luckily never right in my unit except long ago under the cabinet covered kitchen sink) any more than Charlotte's Web reduced my fear of spiders. But Walter, and Miss Pomeroy too, are heroes in this book.
I enjoyed all the references, made by Walter, to many books, mostly those written for adults in the first 2/3 of the book and then to children’s books in the latter 1/3 of the book.
The illustrations are beautifully fitting in gray tone. There are not illustrations on every page and on the pages that have them, they are relatively small and take up much less room than the text story. But the pictures that are there greatly enhance the story.
And, in the end, I really think this is a book for young adults and adults. It’s fun to be familiar with all Walter’s quotes from various books, books that most kids won’t know until they’re adolescents or adults.
Extra credit for this unusual story of a friendship between a rat and a woman seem nothing but amiable and sweet, and not at all disgusting.
Oh, quite a bit of accurate information about rats is included too, though not the ability to read & write parts, obviously.
This book is so charming that I as I was reading there were times I could barely stand it. It was very amusing and also extremely lovely and it definitely got to me emotionally. I ached for and felt affection for both the main characters.
This is a very text heavy long story picture book. I’d call it an illustrated novella more than a picture book.
The story is continually and unexpectedly funny, very funny in parts. There is one somewhat gruesome reference that managed to be funny too: “…Walter, had committed only one crime. In a moment of hunger and confusion he had eaten two of his offspring, but he had been only eight months old at the time – a young, impetuous rat – and he had never done it again.” I also enjoyed how the author bio information is one of Miss Pomeroy’s children’s books (about mice) was no longer accurate. It made me think about the validity of those author bios on book covers. I loved the book within the book which is also titled “Walter: The Story of a Rat” and how it comes to be written.
I loved Walter (a lonely rat who can read, and write) and Miss Pomeroy (a solitary children’s books author), but I’m afraid this book won’t win me over to rats in the house (I have had them in my apartment building, luckily never right in my unit except long ago under the cabinet covered kitchen sink) any more than Charlotte's Web reduced my fear of spiders. But Walter, and Miss Pomeroy too, are heroes in this book.
I enjoyed all the references, made by Walter, to many books, mostly those written for adults in the first 2/3 of the book and then to children’s books in the latter 1/3 of the book.
The illustrations are beautifully fitting in gray tone. There are not illustrations on every page and on the pages that have them, they are relatively small and take up much less room than the text story. But the pictures that are there greatly enhance the story.
And, in the end, I really think this is a book for young adults and adults. It’s fun to be familiar with all Walter’s quotes from various books, books that most kids won’t know until they’re adolescents or adults.
Extra credit for this unusual story of a friendship between a rat and a woman seem nothing but amiable and sweet, and not at all disgusting.
Oh, quite a bit of accurate information about rats is included too, though not the ability to read & write parts, obviously.
June 22, 2010
What a cute story! I read this one aloud to my cats. They loved it! Walter is a rat who loves to read, living in the house of an old lady who writes children's books. Will Walter and Miss Pomeroy ever be friends? I hated for the story to end. It was so descriptive, a gentle story, and Donna Diamond's soft gray illustrations perfectly matched the mood. As Walter himself pointed out, you don't often see stories where rats are depicted in a positive light. Recommended for all readers, human and rodent!
June 11, 2021
This is the most wonderful book I've ever read about rats. The story and illustrations are both incredibly beautiful, challenging all the negative stereotypes about the brown Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). There is so much magic and creativity between these pages. It's a fantasy tale about a lonely older woman, a children's book author named Amanda Pomeroy, and an aging rat named Walter who lives in her house and loves to read. They start writing back and forth to each other and instantly become friends. It's like a love letter to both rats and books, my two favourite things.
October 18, 2025
"Liebe Miss Pomeroy,
danke, dass Sie mir geschrieben haben. Ihr Brief war kurz, aber ich habe mich sehr darüber gefreut. Wie schon gesagt, ich heiße Walter, und mein lateinischer Name ist Rattus Norvegicus. Ich lebe seit sechs Monaten hier und habe keine Freunde. Auch keine Verwandten. Ich lese alle Ihre Bücher und hoffe, Sie haben nichts dagegen. Ich stelle sie immer an Ihren Platz zurück.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Walter (benannt nach Sir Walter Scott)"
This is the third rat that made me cry. They are out to get me...
danke, dass Sie mir geschrieben haben. Ihr Brief war kurz, aber ich habe mich sehr darüber gefreut. Wie schon gesagt, ich heiße Walter, und mein lateinischer Name ist Rattus Norvegicus. Ich lebe seit sechs Monaten hier und habe keine Freunde. Auch keine Verwandten. Ich lese alle Ihre Bücher und hoffe, Sie haben nichts dagegen. Ich stelle sie immer an Ihren Platz zurück.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Walter (benannt nach Sir Walter Scott)"
This is the third rat that made me cry. They are out to get me...
July 11, 2010
What a wonderful, wonderful book. Walter is a very literary rodent, much given to the apropos snippet of poetry. When he busted out "My candle burns at both ends" I whooped with laughter. The central conceit works so well here. Walter lives with an author and is dismayed to learn that her books are about mice. The story of the odd and awkward relationship between the woman and the rat is both poignant and amusing. The illustrations resonate at the exact same frequency as the prose. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Lisa Vegan for her review, which led me to this book. I'd never have found it otherwise.
My thanks to Lisa Vegan for her review, which led me to this book. I'd never have found it otherwise.
August 5, 2018
This book is often described as a children's book, however, whilst this is one description it vastly underestimates its depth and pathos. It is outstanding as an adult book both in physical quality and content. Both the child and adult within you may enjoy this at the same time! Unforgettable on the first and every subsequent reading.
January 1, 2009
This is a lovely little book, that is very hard to categorize. It is short and has a literate rat as a main character, but it is certainly not a children's book. Recommended for misanthropes and those with lonely artistic hearts.
February 7, 2008
This lovely children's chapter book is about an elderly rat who lives in the home of a writer of children's books. He is intrigued by Miss Pomeroy and her loneliness, but is also hurt because she writes a series of books about heroic mice, with nary a rat to be found: "Walter sat on Miss Pomeroy's ladder studying these books, and he did not know whether to laugh or cry. He felt betrayed -- for why had Miss Pomeroy chosen to write about mice when she could have just as easily chosen rats? How could she not have known that rats are more interesting than mice, more intelligent, and more adaptable? To put it bluntly, how could she not have known that rats are more magnificent?"
Walter wants to make contact with Miss Pomeroy, so that he can ask her about why she has neglected rats so (in truth, he's rather angry), but he doesn't want to come right out and ask her first thing, so he writes her his first note: My name is Walter. I live here, too. And the pair embark on what turns into a wonderful friendship. The drawings, by Donna Diamond, are great -- she clearly has a pet rat or has spent a lot of time with one, because all the poses are wonderfully ratty.
Walter wants to make contact with Miss Pomeroy, so that he can ask her about why she has neglected rats so (in truth, he's rather angry), but he doesn't want to come right out and ask her first thing, so he writes her his first note: My name is Walter. I live here, too. And the pair embark on what turns into a wonderful friendship. The drawings, by Donna Diamond, are great -- she clearly has a pet rat or has spent a lot of time with one, because all the poses are wonderfully ratty.
August 5, 2013
This is a wonderful story of an unlikely friendship between a rat and a human. As a children's story, it's a nice account of an elderly rat finding a home with an elderly woman, and it's cute because Walter breaks the stereotypes that humans have about rats. Walter loves to read and was born with the ability to when no other rat around him was. It's a fun story, but as an adult reading it, I see that there's so much more than the surface. It's a story about breaking barriers and not allowing misconceptions and preconceived notions to get into the way of love and friendship. People are different, and they're allowed to be. Walter and Miss Pomeroy don't try to change each other. They try to make each other better and accept each other for who they are rather than for what they are. There are many life lessons in this small book that both children and adults can appreciate.
I highly recommend this book to children (and therefore to parents) but also to anybody who enjoys stories of unconventional friendships.
My only complaint about the book is that the ending was somewhat abrupt and anticlimactic. But it was also beautiful, so I can overlook that.
I highly recommend this book to children (and therefore to parents) but also to anybody who enjoys stories of unconventional friendships.
My only complaint about the book is that the ending was somewhat abrupt and anticlimactic. But it was also beautiful, so I can overlook that.
November 13, 2010
I loved this book! It’s a beautifully-told story about the friendship between a lonely writer and a lonely rat. It’s funny and poignant with great illustrations and really good writing--just an all-around wonderful tale. I just bought a copy to give to a friend. I think I’ll buy one for myself, too.
December 14, 2014
weird...my review disappeared...i enjoyed this story that about readers and writers...short sweet easy read...does the description say something about 'children's literature' this that the other? sometimes labels help and as often they just make me want to drive faster, get out of dodge. onward, upward.
August 19, 2009
A sweet story of a rat named Walter who learns to read and write (and he reads all the good stuff too) and befriends a solitary writer. I bought it for my boyfriend's son, but read it before I gave it to him. I need my own copy.
August 12, 2009
This book is a perfect example as to why we should never judge a book by its cover OR its title for that matter! I found it to be a tribute to both writers and readers as well as a charming story about friendship and acceptance.
September 29, 2012
I LOVED this story--it touched my heart and imagination beyond what I can express. Everyone should read this book!I hope there will be sequels--I would love to see these two friends have many adventures together and I wish they lived next door to me.
March 24, 2014
Awwwwwwh. A cute, 50-page story (seriously, with illustrations!) about an unexpected friendship. Oh, and it almost made me feel bad about the hundreds of rats I cursed while living in the city this summer...
April 25, 2018
I ordered this book from my library after reading about the author passing this past February. I had never come across her work--not being a fan of YA problem fiction. this book, though, I like. books about books.
June 19, 2019
The title doesn't do justice to this fine book. Walter is a rat who loves to read and lives with a children's author.
November 25, 2008
I thought this book was absolutely ADORABLE!!
Walter is an extrodinary rat. He has the power to read. This is most unusal for any animal, and soon he becomes an avid reader of anything he can find. Then one night he moves away from his famly to begin a life of his own.
Little does he know it will be a very long while before he can settle down permentitly...
Almost seven years later, as you can imagen, Walter the rat is quite elderly. His fur and whiskers are gray, and his tail drags on the floor from frequent tiredness.
However, he still loves to read anything he can get his paws on. So that is why he moves into the house of a human writer of children books.
The is a quite, short, cute story of how Walter and the human--Mrs. Promkey--become friends through letters. They live in the same house, but Walter has had enough experisne with humans to know if they saw him they would probably scream. So he decides to write her a letter, and she writes one back, and he writes another one...
As you can imangen, this devolops are strong, very firm bond between human and rat. I thought this story was adorable, and I hope you do, too.
Walter is an extrodinary rat. He has the power to read. This is most unusal for any animal, and soon he becomes an avid reader of anything he can find. Then one night he moves away from his famly to begin a life of his own.
Little does he know it will be a very long while before he can settle down permentitly...
Almost seven years later, as you can imagen, Walter the rat is quite elderly. His fur and whiskers are gray, and his tail drags on the floor from frequent tiredness.
However, he still loves to read anything he can get his paws on. So that is why he moves into the house of a human writer of children books.
The is a quite, short, cute story of how Walter and the human--Mrs. Promkey--become friends through letters. They live in the same house, but Walter has had enough experisne with humans to know if they saw him they would probably scream. So he decides to write her a letter, and she writes one back, and he writes another one...
As you can imangen, this devolops are strong, very firm bond between human and rat. I thought this story was adorable, and I hope you do, too.
December 30, 2024
Ich möchte bitte auch einen Walter :D Was für eine süße, kurzweilige und schöne Vorweihnachtliche Geschichte für Erwachsene! Die Idee dahinter ist einfach so schön. Außerdem bin ich total für eine Rehabilitierung von Ratten <3
May 17, 2012
I love this book for so many reasons! First, it is a beautiful way to illustrate the relationship between writers and readers - there is a direct line of communication, a pure conversation, that exists in this relationship and this book. Walter, a rat that devours any literature he can get his tiny paws onto, has begun living in the Long Island home of Miss Amanda Pomeroy. Miss Pomeroy is an old lady that is that does little more than write books and stay inside her home by herself, no family that is mentioned throughout the entire story. Walter and Miss Pomeroy develop a very unique relationship through letters and small gifts that they leave for one another, each making an impact on the life of the other in an unexpected yet heartwarming manner!
When trying to teach students about fantasy, about various literary elements, or just simply trying to give them something to connect to when teaching them how literature is a direct line of communication between a writer and a reader, this book is it!!!! So cute, a new favorite in my literature collection!
When trying to teach students about fantasy, about various literary elements, or just simply trying to give them something to connect to when teaching them how literature is a direct line of communication between a writer and a reader, this book is it!!!! So cute, a new favorite in my literature collection!
April 24, 2013
One year I bought about 25 copies of this book and gave it to my family and friends for Christmas. It is a story that will appeal to people who love books, who admire writers, and who love plucky underdogs (underrats?) who have had trouble being understood in life. Most of my friends fall into those categories (as do I) so you see why I thought it would have broad appeal.
I would compare it to "Charlotte's Web" and the Narnia books as a book that will appeal to children older than seven as a story, but it will mean something deep and touching to their parents. It is a slightly melancholy book, but the author finds the sunshine peaking through the clouds, so to speak. In the midst of a somewhat melancholy life there is friendship, and art, and kindness.
My copy is going on my shelf of very special books you read and re-read throughout your life, next to E.B. White, the Narnia books, and "The Little Book Room," by Eleanor Farjeon.
I would compare it to "Charlotte's Web" and the Narnia books as a book that will appeal to children older than seven as a story, but it will mean something deep and touching to their parents. It is a slightly melancholy book, but the author finds the sunshine peaking through the clouds, so to speak. In the midst of a somewhat melancholy life there is friendship, and art, and kindness.
My copy is going on my shelf of very special books you read and re-read throughout your life, next to E.B. White, the Narnia books, and "The Little Book Room," by Eleanor Farjeon.
October 17, 2011
I came across this book as I was browsing the shelves at Chapters the other day and was intrigued by the illustrations first but, upon reading the synopsis I had to get it! This is the story of a rat that can read - suspend your disbelief - and who, fortuitously, lives in the house of an author. An author who happens to write books for children. About mice.
It's a lovely story that explores both the love of literature and relationships between living creatures, be they rat or human. I'm definitely glad that I followed my instinct on this one!
It's a lovely story that explores both the love of literature and relationships between living creatures, be they rat or human. I'm definitely glad that I followed my instinct on this one!
February 23, 2017
"Klein aber fein" - das trifft nicht nur auf den Protagonisten, eine Ratte namens Walter, zu, sondern auch auf das Buch selbst. Nicht weltbewegend aber herzerwärmend und eine Freude für jeden Buchliebhaber. Selbst mein Sohn (5), bei dem ich dachte das Buch wäre vielleicht doch noch zu anspruchsvoll und lang(weilig) für ihn, hörte mir gebannt zu und wollte unbedingt bis zum Ende weiter mitlesen. Das perfekte Weihnachtsgeschenk für alle anderen - und einen selbst.
December 2, 2015
One of my favorite books ever. I read it at least twice a year just for the good feeling it gives me when it is over.
I first read years ago to my class when I taught 4th grade. Walter, The Story of a Rat, is a story about friendship plain and simple and beautiful. It is a book that gives you hope, and leaves you with a overwhelming feeling of contentment. I read it at least once a year and it never loses its appeal.
I first read years ago to my class when I taught 4th grade. Walter, The Story of a Rat, is a story about friendship plain and simple and beautiful. It is a book that gives you hope, and leaves you with a overwhelming feeling of contentment. I read it at least once a year and it never loses its appeal.
July 18, 2012
Excellent children book. Walter, the Story of a Rat, It's a story of An unlikely friendship develops between Walter, a literate rat and Amanda Pomeroy, elderly writer of children's books. Both are very lonely . It's a story about the vulnerability and fragility of friendship and love. Walter the rat is smart, witty and sophisticated. A fun enjoyable read.
April 17, 2013
I loved this book because it teaches about the importance of equity and treating others equally - even if you're the only one doing so! I would use this as a journal activity in answering, "Why is it important to treat everyone with kindness" or "Why was everyone mean to Walter? What should they have done differently?"
November 1, 2015
I loved the story of Walter, who tries so hard to overcome his natural inclindations as a rat, who loves books and writing, and who needs companionship. In fact, I sort of wished I could have a Walter living carefully in my attic, but I own two cats—or they own me—and it just wouldn't work out for anyone.
October 26, 2017
Yarım saatte okuyup bitirdiğim çok çok tatlı bir çocuk kitabı. Bir puanı isimden kırıyorum, orijinal ismi "Walter: The Story of a Rat" olan bir kitabı neden böyle abes bir isimle çevirdiniz? Öncelikle yazara, sonrasında "cici ve sevgi dolu bir isim koymazsak veliler almaz" dediğiniz için müşterilerinizin zekasına hakaret bence. Miss Pomeroy çok kızardı.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews