Robert the rat gets his wish to become human when a fairy godmother transforms him into a coachman to chauffeur Amadea to the ball, but trouble starts when the spell ends at midnight, in this Cinderella story told from an unusual point of view. Recommended.

One of the rats that was turned into a coachman by Cinderella's fairy godmother tells his story.

Before Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters moved into Lancastyr Manor she was known as the beautiful Lady Rose de Lancaster. Then her stepmother forced her to become a kitchen maid and renamed her. At first the rats of the manor figure her for a lack-wit and take pity on her by bringing her food and a special family heirloom. But when Cinderella's stepmother finds a way to prevent her from attending the ball, the rats join forces to help her. The night of the ball is filled with magic and secrets-not least of all who Lady Rose will choose as her Prince Charming. A Margaret Ferguson Book

“I Was a Rat!” So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it’s true. But what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge is sure of it. A victim of “Rodent Delusion”? The hospital nurse says yes. A lucrative fairground freak? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. A champion wriggler and a budding thief? That’s what Billy thinks. Or just an ordinary small boy, though a little ratty in his habits? Only three people believe this version of the story. And it may take a royal intervention—and a bit of magic—to convince the rest of the world. Set against the backdrop of a Royal Wedding—and a playful parody of the press, I Was a Rat! is a magical weaving of humor, fairy tale, and adventure.

Text includes thirty poems from the Cinderalla story, bringing to life the voices of well-loved characters and of those whom we do not usually hear from.

«Cinderella» by Charles Perrault, Charles Welsh and illustrated by Michael Bychkov.