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Never thought a rat could be sweet, but I changed my mind after meeting Maria Ritter's Wilhelm.
That's why I'm pleased to partner with iRead Book tour to introduce to you Wilhelm, who's featured in Ritter's new tale (tail -:D!) for middle graders, The Adventures of Wilhem, a Rat's Tale. Read on to learn more about the book, meet the author, read my review, and enter by 5 April for a chance to win a print or digital copy of this book (open to US residents only). Good luck and happy tales/tails! 
Book Title: The Adventures of Wilhelm: A Rat’s Tale by Maria Ritter Illustrator: Teri Rider Category: Middle-grade Fiction, 210 pages Genre: Children's Fantasy Publisher: PartnerPress Release date: August 2018 Tour dates: March 11 to 29, 2019 Content Rating: G (This is a clean children's book with no expletives, violence, sex or drugs.) Book Description: Young Wilhelm leaves home and travels the world. He not only discovers the value of different cultures and the importance of family and friendship, but he also overcomes obstacles with courage and cleverness. He returns home with deep respect for all creatures on this earth and a new sense of rat identity and purpose.
To follow the tour and read reviews, please visit Maria Ritter's page on iRead Book Tours.
Buy the Book:
About the Author:
Maria Ritter is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in La Jolla, California. She is the author of Return to Dresden (2004), an autobiographical reflection on her childhood in Germany during and after World War II. It is a healing memoir that confronts national guilt for the Nazi past and weaves the broken pieces of loss and grief into a healing tapestry. Connect with the author: Website
MY REVIEW
Maria Ritter’s adventure for middle-graders, The Adventures of Wilhelm, a Rat’s Tale, is a travelogue that follows young Wilhelm as he leaves home to explore the world rodent-style. On his way, he encounters characters ranging from scientists and gnomes in Sweden to opera rats singing at Oktoberfest in Germany and church mice on a tour bus meeting the Pope in Italy. Wow! These and more comprise the ratly world Ritter brings to life, where garbage is good and trash is nice. Wilhelm gets into unique rodent predicaments at every stop on his journey. As a service rat in a Swedish hospital, he stuns doctors by diagnosing sick children by sniffing out sources of their ailments with his nose. Wilhelm’s antics expand with every diverse culture he meets. Tongue-in-cheek travelogue snippets are a hoot, though not all kids might catch them. I couldn’t stop chuckling over Wilhelm’s grandmother, who is introduced as the ratriarch of his German rodent family. The author provides a glossary after each chapter to explain vocabulary. She also adds discussion questions at the end of the book, so kids can reflect on what they’ve read. Subtle themes help children rethink the meaning of “despised” creatures, who are symbols of society’s marginalized people. This is especially prominent as the Pope addresses Wil and other “despised and hated animals” visiting him in Rome: "We are connected as creatures to live together on this planet, and I will continue to help you all by preaching ... that we must share our gifts fairly among us all. This way, you will not have to live in fear."
Some middle-graders may not make the cognitive leap from this cute fable to its real-life implications, yet children are still exposed to positive moral lessons. As an adult, I appreciate Ritter’s book as an allegorical novella about prejudice and the journey to acceptance.
Weighing in at 210 pages, I recommend The Adventures of Wilhelm to upper-elementary graders, who are strong readers interested in world culture. Wilhelm also appeals to adults who want a short travelogue that nudges assumptions about social inequities with humor and wisdom. Disclosure: I was given an advance review digital copy of this book and wish to share an honest, unbiased opinion of my reading experience. 
4 Comments
carol baldwin
3/12/2019 07:50:01 pm
My granddaughter would like this book, I think. Thanks for the review and opportunity to win a copy. 3/13/2019 11:31:54 am
Good luck with the giveaway, Carol!. Both you and your grand would enjoy traveling, chuckling, dining, and learning with Wilhem -:DD 3/13/2019 11:41:22 am
I enjoyed hearing about this MG book. Nice review Cat. 3/17/2019 12:11:08 pm
That cover is so eye-catching and colorful, Rosie. Thanks for journeying along with Wilhem! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat Behind the pagesa newsletter for bibliophiles on writing, books and cool stuff readers love
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