The Highway Rat Early Reader
The Highway Rat Series
on Goodreads (3,061)
What’s inside...
The Highway Rat Early Reader is a captivating tale of a ravenous rat who craves buns, biscuits, and all sweet things. He takes whatever he wants, but his thieving ways catch up with him when a clever duck tricks him into a humbling experience. This story, adapted from the original picture book for early readers, is written in a clear and simple format for children who are learning to read.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the Highway Rat change his ways at the end of the story?
Why is sharing important, and how did sharing affect other characters in the book?
How do you think the other animals felt when the Highway Rat took their things?
What would you have done if you met the Highway Rat?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, altering your voice for the Highway Rat and the other animals to keep your child engaged.
After reading the book, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene, which can help them think more deeply about the story's events and messages.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at pivotal moments, pausing your reading to discuss their ideas. This makes the reading session interactive.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations your child may encounter, like sharing with friends, to help them connect with the story on a personal level.
Encourage your child to ask their own questions about the story, which can foster curiosity and deeper understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of sharing
Explanation: The Highway Rat steals food from other animals until he learns the hard way that sharing brings more happiness than taking what isn't his.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their belongings with friends and siblings to foster better relationships and promote a caring environment.
Example Lesson: Consequences of greed
Explanation: The rat’s greedy behavior leads to his downfall, showing that selfishness and greed can have negative outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of moderation and the negative effects of wanting more than they need.
Example Lesson: Redemption and second chances
Explanation: After being caught and facing consequences, the Highway Rat changes his ways, which illustrates the power of redemption and forgiveness.
Real-World Application: Children learn that making mistakes is human, but it’s crucial to learn from them and make amends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: Through the rat’s journey, children see how his actions affect other characters, teaching them to consider others' feelings and be kind.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to understand the impact of their actions on others and to practice empathy and kindness in their daily interactions.