The Road to Ratenburg

by Joy Cowley

TITLE INFORMATION
Joy Cowley is one of New Zealands best-loved
writers for children and adults, with an international
reputation. She has won a multitude of awards and
honours for her best-selling books, including:
Prime Ministers Award for Literary Achievement,
2010
Distinguished Commander of the NZ Order of
Merit, 2005
AW Reed Award for Contribution to NZ Literature,
2004
Gavin Bishop is equally distinguished as author
and illustrator. He has exhibited internationally,
from Japan to Czechoslovakia, and was an
international judge for the 2003 NOMA Concours
competition for Childrens Picture Book Illustration.
Also by Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop from
Gecko Press:
Snake and Lizard
Friends
Just One More
Also by Joy Cowley: The Bakehouse, Dunger, Speed
of Light, Stories of the Wild West Gang, The Fierce
Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate
Also by Gavin Bishop: Mister Whistler, The House
that Jack Built, There Was a Crooked Man
Ages 810 198 x 128mm 200 pages
Paperback with flaps
ISBN: 978-1-776570-75-1
Ebook available
Origin: New Zealand

curiously good books

Book suitable for ages: 8+

A charming ratty fable about family by a much-loved
writer and illustrator pair
about the book
Allow me to introduce myself: I am Spinnaker Rat, proud father of
four little ratlets, devoted husband of Retsina, patient companion to
the exasperating Roger, brave leader of a perilous adventure on the
road to Ratenburg...
Reader, this is my account of an extraordinary journey. Forced to make a new
home, our family set out for the fabled and glorious city of Ratenburg. But the
road to Ratenburg holds many dangersvicious predators, traps, hazardous
crossings. This journey would test our courage and character indeed.
This accessible story nods to international successes like The Tale of
Despereaux but with its own distinctive voice and characters.
Reviews & awards
Snake and Lizard 2008 NZ Post Book of the Year and Junior Fiction winner;
Storylines Notable Nook; LIANZA merit award, White Raven
Dunger (2013) Junior Fiction winner, NZ Post Book Awards; Junior Fiction
winner, LIANZA Book Awards; Storylines Notable Book

Chapter One

An act of remarkable
destruction

Dear Friend,
Please allow me, Spinnaker Rat of the Ship rat clan,
to give you a full account of an extraordinary journey
undertaken by one rat family . Ibeg you, do not allow our
story to bring you fear . This book has in it much danger
and some moments of sheer terror, but all of it is history,
meaning it is in the past and therefore of no threat to you .

ABOUT GECKO PRESS

Gecko Press, founded in 2005, is a New Zealand-based independent
publisher of curiously good childrens books.
Gecko Press publish award winning books for kids. We produce books from
around the world, international best selling books, and recommended books
for children.

I saw his hand come down . Hewas reaching for my

head . Theshadow of that broad palm and wide fingers
came over me with the promise of death, and I struggled
again . Then I sank my teeth into his thumb and held on .
He howled and tried to shake me off his hand . Buthis
boot was still on my tail and every movement sent great
pain through me . Atlast, he lifted his foot, gave a final
shake of his fist and I fell back on the concrete . Hisboot
rose up to crush me, but I was away like the wind,
dragging my poor injured tail behind me .
Retsina and the others were waiting in the tall weeds
at the end of the platform . I didnt want to alarm my
family, so I tried to make light of the incident, saying that
the guards thumb tasted like mouldy cheesealthough,
to tell the truth, my tail was so sore that all I wanted to do
was go away by myself and howl like a baby ratlet .
My fine tail was broken, dear friend . Iknew it . Iwould
have a lump near the end of my caudal appendage, and
forever I would be known as the Spinnaker the Ship rat
with the crooked tail .

For more information on Gecko Press, visit our website:

www.geckopress.com
43