Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

by Lynne Jonell
346 pages

I had noticed this book on the library shelf many times (I guess I was drawn to the illustration on the cover), but I never picked it up because it seemed like too big of a read. But, after a recommendation from a friend (thanks, Susan!), I decided to give it a try.

And, boy, was it worth it! My kids loved it and we read it so quickly that the 346 pages flew by (within three days, I think).

It's a whimsical tale of a young girl with parents she never sees and a nanny who is mean to her. In her classroom at school, there is a rat. Emmy sets the rat free and a whole world of possibilities is revealed. This book is incredibly well-written and I highly, highly recommend it.

Ocean, age 7 - "I thought that Miss Barmy was really mean and it's the best book that I've ever read and I really love it. It's a really good book. And if I tell you about it, the shrinking part of the story, because it's called Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat, if I tell you about it you won't like the story as much so I'll keep it a secret."

Ezra, age 5 - "I like how whenever the rat bites a person one time you can hear the rat and then the second time the rat bites you, you will shrink. And if the rat bites you a third time, you will turn into a rat."

(Note: Ezra just revealed what the secret was. Sorry, Ocean.)