Ratty's big adventure

Ratty, a Bosavi woolly rat, lives inside an extinct volcano in Papua New Guinea. After spotting a large, appetizing piece of fruit high in a tall tree, the rodent climbs and observes an amazing scene outside the crater. Though his rain forest home has always provided him with plenty of food, water, and shelter, he imagines that everything is "BIGGER, BETTER, FRUITIER" on the other side. Ignoring warnings from friends, Ratty decides to explore the alluring new land. His attempts to make friends in the "beyond" are largely ignored . . . until one long, green, toothy critter congenially invites the newcomer to dinner (don't worry--Ratty has luck on his side). Many of the illustrations, created with watercolor, gouache, and some digital amendments, are set on rich black backgrounds that allow the bright colors of the flora and fauna to stand out. Many of the birds and other animals depicted "are found nowhere else on earth," making this crater a unique biome. Information about the unusual setting is offered at the book's conclusion.

It's a big, beautiful--sometimes dangerous--world out there. Exploring the themes of "the grass is always greener" and "big fish in small ponds," this book follows a Bosavi woolly rat who climbs a tree to eat a piece of fruit and inadvertently spots the jungle landscape beyond his home inside the volcano crater in Papua New Guinea's Mount Bosavi. Suddenly dissatisfied with his usual homegrown meals, Ratty comes to the realization that, "There must be BIGGER, BETTER, FRUITIER things out there!" and sets off to find them. The journey, which involves a long trip along a stream and into a river, is less enjoyable than Ratty thought it would be, and he's repeatedly rebuked by various unfamiliar animals--until he meets a crocodile, who is only too happy to invite the naïve rat to dinner. Thanks to a deus ex machina in the form of a group of friendly bats, Ratty survives the dinner-party-for-one and makes it home, where he reflects on the value of his home. The story treads familiar ground, but it does it well, and the illustrations--a mix of gouache and watercolor with digital tweaks--enhance the tale. Additional backmatter provides more information on Mount Bosavi and the species that call it home. This is an enjoyable and entertaining tale, and readers will love welcoming Ratty from his home to theirs. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Genial jungle joy! (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.