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jmitschke's review
4.0
I really enjoyed it, particularly because I also loved the Highwayman as a kid, and I can imagine doing some great voices for the animals, but I wonder if the repetition would wear thin for a storytime/read aloud .
spikecooper's review
5.0
One year old Spike destroyed the library copy out of love and enthusiasm. Bought them a new one and got to keep the, um, customized version. Still read it often, it’ll never get tiring.
snowelf's review
4.0
A new book from [a:Julia Donaldson|103243|Julia Donaldson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1224775572p2/103243.jpg] about outwitting the bad guy, very much in the spirit of the [b:The Gruffalo|1013383|The Gruffalo|Julia Donaldson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329674496s/1013383.jpg|999507], and the rhymes are pretty rollicking. I adore her collaborations with [a:Axel Scheffler|52071|Axel Scheffler|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1320949919p2/52071.jpg] and I particularly enjoy the color palette in this one, a new favorite!
stefhyena's review
3.0
Simple yet effective (and likeable) story of a bully who gets his desserts when someone stands up to him. It has gorgeous pictures and a well-crafted rhyme.
Children seem to respond to it with delight too
Children seem to respond to it with delight too
summermsmith's review
3.0
This is based off of The Highway Man but it didn’t have the same magic that their other books have for me. It could be I need to read it again. It was still good just not as good as The Snail and the Whale and Room on the Broom.
jmshirtz's review
5.0
A wonderful cautionary tale about the perils of greed. Great verse and an excellent ending.
tashrow's review against another edition
5.0
The creators of The Gruffalo return for an uproarious version of a beloved poem. Beware, for the Highway Rat is coming and he’s out to steal everyone’s snacks. He rides along with food dropping out of his saddlebags, accosting poor travelers at sword point, demanding their goodies. He steals clover from a rabbit who has nothing else, a leaf from some ants, even hay from his own horse. Eventually though, the Highway Rat meets his match in a juicy-looking duck who directs him into a cave where the echo seems to promise food. Then the Highway Rat rides no more.
I love a good riff on a traditional poem, and this one is very clever. Those familiar with The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes will particularly enjoy the play Donaldson makes with its form. She incorporates familiar phrasing like “And the Highway Rat went riding – riding –riding – riding along the highway.” Somehow her other words which are quite different from the poem have a similar rhythm and evoke the poem effortlessly.
Scheffler’s illustrations have a wonderful bold quality to them. The Highway Rat is truly a bad guy and his naughtiness is clearly shown in his actions and his aspect. His googly-eyed horse is a pleasure, almost always making eye-contact with the reader and sharing the joke of this evil rat riding on his back. The rich colors of the landscape add a depth to the illustrations that is very welcome.
The tale of an evil highwayman (or rat) makes for a great read. Add in strong illustrations and the play on a well-known poem, and you have picture book magic. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
I love a good riff on a traditional poem, and this one is very clever. Those familiar with The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes will particularly enjoy the play Donaldson makes with its form. She incorporates familiar phrasing like “And the Highway Rat went riding – riding –riding – riding along the highway.” Somehow her other words which are quite different from the poem have a similar rhythm and evoke the poem effortlessly.
Scheffler’s illustrations have a wonderful bold quality to them. The Highway Rat is truly a bad guy and his naughtiness is clearly shown in his actions and his aspect. His googly-eyed horse is a pleasure, almost always making eye-contact with the reader and sharing the joke of this evil rat riding on his back. The rich colors of the landscape add a depth to the illustrations that is very welcome.
The tale of an evil highwayman (or rat) makes for a great read. Add in strong illustrations and the play on a well-known poem, and you have picture book magic. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
alyce6d980's review against another edition
4.0
Another great Julia Donaldson release. Our little girl actually chose this herself for the storyteller to read out - she grabbed it off of the shelf and took it over, and the bookseller was more than happy to humour her! - and she made a solid choice. The repetition involved the older children, while the rhyming scheme and the gorgeous illustrations (as always a favourite aspect of Donaldson's books) kept the younger children interested too.
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