The Highway Rat

The rollicking adventurous picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.
'Give me your buns and your biscuits!
Give me your chocolate eclairs!
For I am the Rat of the highway,
and the Rat Thief never shares!'

Life is not safe for the other animals, as the villainous Highway Rat gallops along the highway, stealing their food. Clover from a rabbit; nuts from a squirrel - he even steals his own horse's hay.

Will he finally meet his comeuppance, in the form of a cunning duck?

Shiny foil highlights on the cover makes this a special gift for toddlers
A fabulous, rollicking rhyme, in the style of the famous Alfred Noyes poem, 'The Highwayman', from the UK's number one picture book author and illustrator
Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot
Adventure, friendship and learning to be kind are at the heart of this story
The Highway Rat has been adapted into a popular animated film starring voices from David Tennant (Highway Rat), Nina Sosanya (Duck), Rob Brydon (Horse), Tom Hollander (Squirrel) and Frances de la Tour (Rabbit)
The animated film of The Scarecrows' Wedding stars voice artists including Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) voicing Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose) as Betty O'Barley, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack) as Harry O'Hay, all led by Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator.
Look out for Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2024.
Praise for The Highway Rat:
'A classic picture book ... great to read aloud' BBC Radio 4 'Front Row' 'Donaldson's ear for rhyme is unequalled and Scheffler's busy, funny illustrations make this ideal for reading aloud' Daily Mail

Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which together have sold over 25 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages. Further books illustrated by Axel include Room on the Broom, Stick Man, Zog and The Smeds and the Smoos – all of which have been made into much-loved animated films by Magic Light Pictures. Her other books include The Hospital Dog illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, The Christmas Pine illustrated by Victoria Sandøy and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures illustrated by Lydia Monks. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series illustrated by Lydia Monks which has been made into a successful CBBC series, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011–13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.