Cirrus@Austlit

'This thought provoking but funny picture book will be thoroughly enjoyed by older students as they reflect on their own lives and see the contrast with the simple uncomplicated life of the sweet and endearing rat called Riley. Colin Thompson shows how Riley is born happy and is never anything else during his short life. He has enough to eat, a numerous and supportive family, all of whom are as beautiful as he is. His aspirations are always fulfilled as he is content with what he has and the way things are. Humans, however, want and think they need everything - they are never satisfied. The text presents the folly and shame of the way we live. The satire and gentle humour that the story is imbued with makes for a truly unusual picture book with many messages that are really lessons for life. Amy Lissiat's beautifully considered illustrations add a good deal to the interpretation of the text. They have been executed with a great deal of thought and add a further dimension to the story. Pupils will enjoy both the text and the illustrations and have a lot of fun talking and thinking about this sophisticated picture book that sets out so many things for consideration.' (Publication summary)