Lost and found in the city

Readers can scurry along with a sweet-natured rat, its siblings, and its metropolitan scavenger pals on their nocturnal adventures in this peppy chapter book series kickoff by Higgins (the Good Dog series). Extra Cheese Scratchy Paws Sniffs-a-Lot, aka Ratnip, enjoys a cozy existence living in a defunct pizza parlor located in the bright, loud City. Playing games like Bubble Pop at home are plenty fun, but for Ratnip, nothing tops the thrill of hitting the streets at night, dodging humans while seeking out tasty trash can treats and shiny trinkets to decorate its round treasure room (formerly a pizza oven). But the excitement reaches new heights when Ratnip finds a "Brand New, Totally Interesting, Super Special Thing I'd Never Seen Before"--a cell phone--and hatches a scheme with friends Rochelle the cockroach, pigeons Jinny and Ian, and black alley cat Katy to return the "black rectangle" to its human owner. Steinfeld (Kid Musicians) matches the novel's upbeat tone with thick black--lined illustrations depicting amiable interactions between friendly faced critters. Gentle humor and credulity-straining ingenuity weave an energetic tale that zips headlong into its sequel. Publishing simultaneously: Pizza Dreams Do Come True. Ages 5--9. Illustrator's agent: Alex Gehringer, Bright Agency. (Feb.)

K-Gr 4--This series debut follows the adventures of a city-dwelling rat named Extra Cheese Scratchy Paws Sniffs-a-Lot--better known as Ratnip--who, along with his siblings Marsharita, Anchovy, Pepperoni, and Veggie, lives in a pizza shop. Ratnip enjoys scavenging for "treasures" like bubble wrap and shiny objects. During one of his dumpster dives, he finds a cell phone, which he dubs "The Thing." When the phone rings, displaying a photo of a human he recognizes, Ratnip enlists the help of some animal friends to locate the person and return the phone to its rightful owner. This leads him on an entertaining adventure that emphasizes the value of honesty and the joy of helping others. The book's large text and frequent illustrations make it ideal for early chapter book readers. The plot, while straightforward, is engaging and well paced, with expressive artwork that depicts humorous movement and sound effects, such as "Fwomp!" or "HAHAHA." Ratnip's journey underscores a positive message: sometimes, helping a stranger can be just as rewarding as keeping a treasure. VERDICT A delightful addition to early chapter book collections, especially for young readers who enjoy humorous animal tales.--Kirsten Caldwell