Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

Description

Emmy was a good girl. At least she tried very hard to be good. She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones. And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossible to keep quiet, some days.

She really was a little too good. Which is why she liked to sit by the Rat. The Rat was not good at all . . .

Hilarious, inventive, and irresistably rodent-friendly, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat is a fantastic first novel from acclaimed picture book author Lynne Jonell.

Discussion Questions

1. Rodents are also favorite characters in children’s literature. If your students have read any other books that feature rodent characters (Charlotte’s Web or Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, for example), discuss how the rats in those books are similar to or different from Rat. Why do your students think rats are such a popular animal in literature?

2. The names of Professor Vole, Miss Barmy, and Professor Capybara are significant in this story. When you begin discussing the book explain what a vole and capybara are and what barmy means. Ask your students what they think the characters who have those names will be like.

3. The Rat tells Emmy she should try being mean so that people respect her more. How can a person earn someone’s respect without being mean?

4. Ask your students: if they could feed one person in the world a cookie imprinted with the chinchilla footprint (to reverse his/her values), who would they choose? Why?

5. “Freedom has its bitter side,” the Rat says at one point (pg. 61). Ask your students what they think he means, and if they’ve ever felt that way.

6. “I wouldn’t mind being ordinary,” Emmy says on page 70. Ask your students what they think she means. Follow up by asking if students have ever felt under pressure because of something they’re good at and how they felt about it.

Lynne Jonell is the author of the novels Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls and The Secret of Zoom, as well as several critically acclaimed picture books. Her books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and a Smithsonian Notable Book, among numerous other honors. She teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center and lives with her husband and two sons in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Jonathan Bean has a master’s degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. He has illustrated several books for young readers, including Mokie and Bik. He lives in New York City.

“A droll fantasy with an old-fashioned sweep and a positively cinematic cast.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A mystery is cleverly woven into this fun and, at times, hilarious caper, and children are likely to find themselves laughing out loud . . . a delightful read.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Jonell takes readers on a merry, sometimes scary romp . . . this turns smoothly on its fanciful premise and fabulous characters.” —Booklist, starred review

“Fun and funny, this fast-paced page turner appropriately begins and ends with the unforgettable Rat in an acrobatic flip-book feature.” —Kirkus Reviews

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