Very enjoyable, short easy book I read as a reward for finishing a dense memoire. Interspecies relationships, developing friendship through correspondence, producer/consumer influence. A kids' book but with some pretty big words and references to a lot of literature.

weird...my review disappeared...i enjoyed this story that about readers and writers...short sweet easy read...does the description say something about 'children's literature' this that the other? sometimes labels help and as often they just make me want to drive faster, get out of dodge. onward, upward.

It is a very sweet and moving short children's book. Identity discovery and an allegory for friendship, love, and connection.
And the art work by Donna Diamond is delightful. You will shed a tear.
5

What a cute story! I read this one aloud to my cats. They loved it! Walter is a rat who loves to read, living in the house of an old lady who writes children's books. Will Walter and Miss Pomeroy ever be friends? I hated for the story to end. It was so descriptive, a gentle story, and Donna Diamond's soft gray illustrations perfectly matched the mood. As Walter himself pointed out, you don't often see stories where rats are depicted in a positive light. Recommended for all readers, human and rodent!

I loved the story of Walter, who tries so hard to overcome his natural inclindations as a rat, who loves books and writing, and who needs companionship. In fact, I sort of wished I could have a Walter living carefully in my attic, but I own two cats—or they own me—and it just wouldn't work out for anyone.

I ordered this book from my library after reading about the author passing this past February. I had never come across her work--not being a fan of YA problem fiction. this book, though, I like. books about books.

Thanks to my Goodreads friend Krista’s cats, I read this book. The cats enjoyed it so I figured it must be a good book.

This book is so charming that I as I was reading there were times I could barely stand it. It was very amusing and also extremely lovely and it definitely got to me emotionally. I ached for and felt affection for both the main characters.

This is a very text heavy long story picture book. I’d call it an illustrated novella more than a picture book.

The story is continually and unexpectedly funny, very funny in parts. There is one somewhat gruesome reference that managed to be funny too: “…Walter, had committed only one crime. In a moment of hunger and confusion he had eaten two of his offspring, but he had been only eight months old at the time – a young, impetuous rat – and he had never done it again.” I also enjoyed how the author bio information is one of Miss Pomeroy’s children’s books (about mice) was no longer accurate. It made me think about the validity of those author bios on book covers. I loved the book within the book which is also titled “Walter: The Story of a Rat” and how it comes to be written.

I loved Walter (a lonely rat who can read, and write) and Miss Pomeroy (a solitary children’s books author), but I’m afraid this book won’t win me over to rats in the house (I have had them in my apartment building, luckily never right in my unit except long ago under the cabinet covered kitchen sink) any more than Charlotte's Web reduced my fear of spiders. But Walter, and Miss Pomeroy too, are heroes in this book.

I enjoyed all the references, made by Walter, to many books, mostly those written for adults in the first 2/3 of the book and then to children’s books in the latter 1/3 of the book.

The illustrations are beautifully fitting in gray tone. There are not illustrations on every page and on the pages that have them, they are relatively small and take up much less room than the text story. But the pictures that are there greatly enhance the story.

And, in the end, I really think this is a book for young adults and adults. It’s fun to be familiar with all Walter’s quotes from various books, books that most kids won’t know until they’re adolescents or adults.

Extra credit for this unusual story of a friendship between a rat and a woman seem nothing but amiable and sweet, and not at all disgusting.

Oh, quite a bit of accurate information about rats is included too, though not the ability to read & write parts, obviously.

This is the most wonderful book I've ever read about rats. The story and illustrations are both incredibly beautiful, challenging all the negative stereotypes about the brown Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). There is so much magic and creativity between these pages. It's a fantasy tale about a lonely older woman, a children's book author named Amanda Pomeroy, and an aging rat named Walter who lives in her house and loves to read. They start writing back and forth to each other and instantly become friends. It's like a love letter to both rats and books, my two favourite things.

I LOVED this story--it touched my heart and imagination beyond what I can express. Everyone should read this book!I hope there will be sequels--I would love to see these two friends have many adventures together and I wish they lived next door to me.

I loved this book! It’s a beautifully-told story about the friendship between a lonely writer and a lonely rat. It’s funny and poignant with great illustrations and really good writing--just an all-around wonderful tale. I just bought a copy to give to a friend. I think I’ll buy one for myself, too.

I love this book for so many reasons! First, it is a beautiful way to illustrate the relationship between writers and readers - there is a direct line of communication, a pure conversation, that exists in this relationship and this book. Walter, a rat that devours any literature he can get his tiny paws onto, has begun living in the Long Island home of Miss Amanda Pomeroy. Miss Pomeroy is an old lady that is that does little more than write books and stay inside her home by herself, no family that is mentioned throughout the entire story. Walter and Miss Pomeroy develop a very unique relationship through letters and small gifts that they leave for one another, each making an impact on the life of the other in an unexpected yet heartwarming manner!

When trying to teach students about fantasy, about various literary elements, or just simply trying to give them something to connect to when teaching them how literature is a direct line of communication between a writer and a reader, this book is it!!!! So cute, a new favorite in my literature collection!

One year I bought about 25 copies of this book and gave it to my family and friends for Christmas. It is a story that will appeal to people who love books, who admire writers, and who love plucky underdogs (underrats?) who have had trouble being understood in life. Most of my friends fall into those categories (as do I) so you see why I thought it would have broad appeal.

I would compare it to "Charlotte's Web" and the Narnia books as a book that will appeal to children older than seven as a story, but it will mean something deep and touching to their parents. It is a slightly melancholy book, but the author finds the sunshine peaking through the clouds, so to speak. In the midst of a somewhat melancholy life there is friendship, and art, and kindness.

My copy is going on my shelf of very special books you read and re-read throughout your life, next to E.B. White, the Narnia books, and "The Little Book Room," by Eleanor Farjeon.