One in a series of humorous books about disgusting creatures, "The Rat" is a look at the black rat. It covers such topics as the rat's long, agile tail (it's good for balancing and picking noses), long teeth (they can chew through anything, including books) and disgusting taste in food (delicious electrical wires in tomato sauce, anyone?). Although silly and off-the-wall, "The Rat" contains real information that will tie in with curriculum.