Most people think of rats as nasty disease-ridden animals. But people keep rats as pets, and rats are also kept in laboratories as test subjects.
Cats are known for chasing and killing rats. It has been said that cats and rats are incapable of getting along with each other, but the same has been said about dogs and cats. I know that dogs and cats can be friends; I have three dogs and eight cats, and they all love each other. So why couldn’t cats and rats get along?
In The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats, the rats have a job to do. The cats keep an eye on them to ensure they are having fun while doing their job of helping to cure diseases. When these rats escape from their cages, the cats help the doctors round them up and see that they return to work.
There is a moral to the story: Don’t let the opinions of others keep you from finding out the truth for yourself.
Whether the book is read to a child or the child reads the book alone, it will be enjoyed. The story is humorous by itself, but the illustrations by Gary McCluskey are cute. His colorful pictures show the cats and rats at work and play, and they illustrate just how the cats and rats have fun. I think my favorite illustration is the one towards the end of the story where the white rats are wearing doctors’ jackets. They are playing cards with a sick cat while caring for him. The very last illustration of a Christmas tree made up completely of rats standing in a pyramid is another one I really thought was cute.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you would like to purchase a copy of this book for yourself or your children, I have provided an Amazon link below. I have also provided a link for the first book in this series.
Amazon Links:
The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats
The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats
Recommended Articles:
Constance Corcoran Interview – Cats, Rats, and Silly Hats
The Christmas Cats Fear for the Deer – a Review
Favorite Sentence:
White rats are heard, but seldom seen.
About the Author:
Constance Corcoran Wilson writes books for adults as well as children. She has many years of writing experience, having written for several newspapers and blogs. Books in her Color of Evil series include The Color of Evil, Red is for Rage, and Khaki=Killer.
She wrote the books in the Christmas Cats series with her young granddaughters in mind. She lives with her husband in Chicago, Illinois.
http://www.conniecwilson.com/
https://twitter.com/Connie_C_Wilson
http://www.weeklywilson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/connie.c.wilson?fref=ts
http://pinterest.com/conniecwilson/
This looks like an interesting book to read. Not your usual kids book.
What age do you think it is aimed for?
She wrote this book for her granddaughters, who were four years old at the time. It is written in a Dr. Seuss style rhyme, so younger kids would enjoy having it read to them, and older kids would enjoy reading it on their own.