RAT FAIR

Cuddly rats get creative around rearranged letters on a sign.

When a letterboard advertising an art fair falls into disarray, a group of rats organizes a rat-sized fête, complete with pennants, popcorn, and carnival rides. Hilsaca’s sweet, pastel-hued cartoon illustrations drive the story, which is almost entirely devoid of text. They depict rats who are clever, smartly dressed, and fluffy, with anthropomorphic smiles and large ears evocative of the manga character Hamtaro. Under softly glowing string lights they paint, juggle, and twirl in teacups until a custodian brushes away their stalls and replaces the letters—but never fear, a child attending the humans’ art fair above saves the Ferris wheel and stalls. The child returns the next day to help with the new-and-improved rat art fair, as under cover of night the rats have painted, knitted, and sculpted away to continue the festivities. The tale comes to an end with one talented rat gifting a portrait to the child, who has brown skin and dark hair. Other humans pictured are diverse in skin tone and hair textures and styles. The child’s father (also brown-skinned) uses a wheelchair, and when the family is pictured eating tamales at home, a chair lift features unobtrusively in the background. The child’s mother presents White.

An inviting and inclusive story for all—even rats.