Items related to I Was a Rat! .or the Scarlet Slippers - 1st Edition/1st...
"I was a rat!"
So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it's true. But what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge newspaper is sure of it. A lucrative fairground freak? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. A championship wriggler and a budding thief? That's the hope of Billy and his gang. A victim of "Rodent Delusion"? So says the hospital doctor.
Or just an ordinary small boy, though a little ratty in his habits? Only three people believe this version of the story. And it may take a royal intervention--and a bit of magic--to convince the rest of the world. . . .
Set against the backdrop of a royal wedding--with a pertinent parody of the press--here's Philip Pullman's youngest, funniest novel to date: a magical weaving of humor, fairy tale, and adventure.
So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it's true. But what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge newspaper is sure of it. A lucrative fairground freak? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. A championship wriggler and a budding thief? That's the hope of Billy and his gang. A victim of "Rodent Delusion"? So says the hospital doctor.
Or just an ordinary small boy, though a little ratty in his habits? Only three people believe this version of the story. And it may take a royal intervention--and a bit of magic--to convince the rest of the world. . . .
Set against the backdrop of a royal wedding--with a pertinent parody of the press--here's Philip Pullman's youngest, funniest novel to date: a magical weaving of humor, fairy tale, and adventure.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
From the Back Cover:
"Bless my soul!" said Bob. "Who are you?"When a grubby young pageboy knocks on the door of Bob the cobbler and Joan the washerwoman's house, the kindly couple hardly knows what to think. Could this delusional boy be the answer to their prayers for a little one of their own? And was he really once a rat? It seems so. He shreds his bedding, for example, and he chews his toast swiftly with his front teeth. He eats an entire pencil and bites his teacher. Despite the fact that he is a little ratty in his habits, the old couple grow quite fond of the young fellow.
"I was a rat," said the little boy.
In time, the word spreads that there's a rat-boy in town, news that intrigues everyone from the Royal Philosopher to the P.T. Barnum-inspired freak-peddler Oliver Tapscrew to a reporter from the local rag The Daily Scourge. As the harmless, well-meaning boy is transformed into "The Monster of the Sewers" through pure sensationalism and mass hysteria, Philip Pullman playfully satirizes the power of the press and society at large.
What does it mean to be human? In this often darkly comic Dickensian tale, rats start to look pretty good by comparison. But in a fairy-tale ending, Bob and Joan teach us that humans, corrupt as we are, can always take solace in toasted cheese, love, and good craftsmanship. Kevin Hawkes's black-and-white illustrations enliven the already vivacious adventure that, thanks to Pullman's ever lovely wordplay and sly satire, is every bit as enjoyable for adults as it is for young readers. (Ages 9 to 12) --Karin Snelson
"Phillip Pullman's tale is fast and clever."
-New York Times Book Review Sunday, May 14, 2000
-New York Times Book Review Sunday, May 14, 2000
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- PublisherDoubleday
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0385409796
- ISBN 13 9780385409797
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages169
- IllustratorBailey Peter
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I Was a Rat!: Or, the scarlet slippers
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Book Description Condition: Good. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbs2232523838
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Book Description Condition: Good. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). Good condition book without dust jacket. Boards are clean with little wear. Book has clean and bright contents. Seller Inventory # 9999-9990366343
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003529269
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Fair. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR002413150
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Good. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR003514745
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I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers : Second printing
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ISBN 10: 0385409796
ISBN 13: 9780385409797
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. No Jacket. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). 1st Edition. Second British printing, 1999 (same year as first printing). No jacket as issued. Pictorial boards are near fine with just minor pushing to head and tail of spine. Pages are clean and the binding is tight. Odd minor crease to the odd page. No other faults. A nice copy. All books described honestly and accurately. Paypal accepted. Seller Inventory # 000876
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I Was a Rat!: Or, The Scarlet Slippers
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(1999)
ISBN 10: 0385409796
ISBN 13: 9780385409797
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). 1st Edition. 1st edition 1st printing hardback in decorated boards, no jacket issued. Book in near fine condition with no inscriptions. Not a book club edition, ex library or a remainder. I am happy to supply scans. Seller Inventory # ABE-1634481177717
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Book Description hardcover. Condition: Good. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). Ex-library book, usual marking. Clean copy in good condition. Quick dispatch from UK seller. Seller Inventory # mon0000473649
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I WAS A RAT
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). Children's book by the author of 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. First printing. Black and white illustrations by Peter Bailey. Ex-library copy. Has a a 'Withdrawn For Sale' stamp on the front free endpaper(a blank page) and a stamp on the copyright page. Slight marking on the front free endpaper and the title page. Illustrated boards. Wear/bump damage on board edges, including the top and bottom of the exterior spine. Brown marking/staining at the bottom of pages 6 and seven. No text is affected. Slight marking on page 9(again with no effect on text). Otherwise clean pages. Strong binding. No inscriptions. Small fold on bottom corner of one page. Location: CCB1. Seller Inventory # 019556
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I Was A Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers - 1st UK Printing
Published by
Doubleday
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0385409796
ISBN 13: 9780385409797
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Bailey, Peter (illustrator). 1st Edition. 1st edition / 1st printing. No jacket as issued. Some softening of corners. Previous owners name and date (March 2001) to front end paper. Seller Inventory # P16
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