Rat is happy in his hidey-hole with his treasures. Who could want more than a red velvet slipper to snuggle down into at night, a yellow marble that catches the setting sun just right, and a shiny (but empty) sardine can with an Imperial Sardine watching over Rat and all he does?

One night, right outside his hidey-hole, Rat hears a cry for help. Reading the slogan on the sardine can once again that day, he knows he must…

Make the Good and Noble Choice!!

and he peeps out of the hole in the wall. A large white owl has his foot caught in a mouse trap that is nailed to the barn floor. Flapping his wings in panic, he cries out again for help.

Rat’s not sure about this. He’s been around for a while and knows all about traps and owls and their sharp claws and beaks. But the owl is young. He’s frightened.

Rat creeps closer, knowing he should make the good and noble choice and free the bird. Will it be a mistake though? Will the owl gobble him up?

Rat makes a decision, only to feel let down afterwards. He’s pleased he’s still alive in his velvet slipper in his hidey-hole, but disappointed all the same. Until the young owl returns….

The first in a new series about story, unlikely friendships, making the right choice and doing the right thing, this gorgeous hardback by multi award winning author Kate DiCamillo would make a perfect gift. Illustrated in full colour, it is just the right length for emerging readers and has a twist on the wise owl scenario.

The young owl found by Rat doesn’t know much about anything. Returning after being freed by Rat, this owl has questions however and also wants to do the right thing by Rat. Rat finds it’s nice to share what he knows with Owl, including a fable he once heard about a Lion, a Mouse and a deal made between them.

Looking forward to the next in this series, and seeing what story is shared within another unlikely friendship.

Author – Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator – Carmen Mok

Age – 6+

See more reviews of books by Kate DiCamillo here

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(2024, Walker Books Aust, Animals, Courage, Friendship, Series, Owl, Rat, Stories, Fables, The Lion and the Mouse, Kindness, Trust, Repaying a good deed, Barn, Trap, Rescue, Doing the right thing, Unlikely Friendships)