The Highway Rat

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Find out about the highwaymen of the past. What did they do? Do you know the names of any famous highwaymen? One of the most noticeable differences is the inclusion of additional scenes to expand the narrative, such as the Highway Rat’s encounters with other animals. The Highway Rat, voiced by David Tennant in the film, is a greedy rodent who robs travelers of their food. Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.

The Highway Rat is described as a ‘baddie’ and a ‘beast’. Can you think of any other words that might be used to describe him? Look at the use of rhyming words in the story. Can you think of other words which rhyme with the ones used? As mom who was an English Lit major, I LOVE this cheeky little book...it's a retelling of/homage to Alfred Noyes' poem "The Highwayman" (without all the, you know, shooting and death and ghosts and whatnot). My son loves the great rhythm, and at two, fills in the words at the end of each stanza. The fact that it's a long poem makes it a fun read-aloud, and it's great to start to expose little ones to poetry concepts at an early age, from a literacy standpoint. Plus, it's just fun.

If you loved ‘The Highway Rat’, you might also enjoy other works by Julia Donaldson, like ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘Room on the Broom’.

Write a diary entry from the point of view of the Highway Rat. What does he do each day? How does he feel about it? As a parent, you might be wondering if ‘The Highway Rat’ is suitable for your children. Rest assured, both the book and the movie are excellent choices for kids. While there is currently no video game adaptation of ‘The Highway Rat’, it’s not hard to imagine how the story could be translated into an interactive medium. One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.

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Imagine that one of the animals in the story is being interviewed by the police. What would they tell the police about their encounter with the Highway Rat? Throughout my academic journey, I delved into the rich history of cinema, analyzing groundbreaking films and studying the techniques used by master storytellers. Did you know that ‘The Highway Rat’ was inspired by Alfred Noyes’ poem ‘The Highwayman’? Or that the book has been translated into over 20 languages? These are just a few of the many fascinating facts about ‘The Highway Rat’. Cosplay tips: How to dress like your favorite ‘The Highway Rat’ characters

Now, as a seasoned movie critic and writer, I'm thrilled to share my insights and recommendations with you. We will uncover the book summary, the differences between the book and the movie, and delve into the picturesque locations that inspired the film’s creators.The story teaches valuable lessons about greed and kindness, presented in an engaging and entertaining way.