Hurray for Ethelyn - Hardcover

Brainy and bespectacled rat Ethelyn, an aspiring brain surgeon, earns the respect of her fellow "ratlettes" in a fast-paced tale especially helpful to those adjusting to a new school. When Ethelyn arrives at Cheddar Gables College, she is ostracized by the other students and dejectedly retires to her "dormousery" for the night. Things go from bad to worse: first, she is frightened by a ghost (albeit one propelled by suspiciously rodent-like feet) and later, she is unjustly accused of stealing the principal's cheese. Just as Ethelyn implores her brother to rescue her, she is granted the opportunity to confront the ghost, solve the mystery of the stolen cheese, use her medical know-how and win over her heretofore inimicable peers. Cole's ( Cupid ; The Silly Book ) spindly-legged, goggle-eyed creatures are silly and likably gawky; and speedy--if somewhat jarring--turns of plot command attention. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Ethelyn is a brainy ratlet who wins a scholarship to Cheddar Gables College, an exclusive boarding school. She's so smart that all the other girls are jealous; they dress like a huge ghost, pull off a caper stealing the principal's expensive French cheese, and blame her. Her younger brother comes to her aid, the two expose the culprits, and Ethelyn saves the day when one of the rotten rats gets stuck in a tight spot. Appropriately painted in smudgy watercolor cartoons of murky browns, grays, greens, and muted yellows, the characters retain their rattiness even though some are bespectacled and all are dressed in uniforms. A light, action-packed adventure with clever dialogue, humorous illustrations, and brains winning out in the end. --Denise Krell, New York Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.