What is the perfect occupation for a rat? You can explore the possibilities from A to Z in Rena Jones’ new picture book, A New Job for Dilly.In this story, a rat named Dilly seeks a job to support his passion for sour pickles. This clever alphabet book is illustrated by Lisa Oakman.
I thought it was interesting that Rena chose the misunderstood rat as the main character for her picture book, so I decided to look for some fun facts about rats. While researching, I formed a few opinions of my own as to what might be suitable employment for these talented critters…
- Rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter! They’d be perfect for getting to those hard to reach places – I’d hire one to search for that spare change hiding under the car seats.
- Rats are very social creatures, and excellent taste-testers. I think party planning would be a good career for a fun-loving rat.
- Studies have shown that rats are ticklish, and even emit “laughing” sounds when tickled. Hmm…if rats have a funny bone, maybe they’d be good at reviewing TV sitcoms or writing riddles.
- Rats are good swimmers, and can be taught to reel in objects attached to the end of a rope. That sounds like the perfect set of skills for a deckhand.
- Rats can chew through glass, cinderblock, wire, aluminum, and lead. Wow! I think a rat might have a brilliant career in etching or engraving. Or maybe one could manage to scrape the dried pancake batter off my counter.
To learn more about the adventures of Dilly, hop over to Rena’s blog. And be sure to enter to win an autographed copy of A New Job for Dilly! Just leave a comment on at least FOUR of the seven blog stops. Rena will put your name in a pot and a winner will be chosen at the end of the tour. Please make sure she has a way to contact you, and remember to reply to at least FOUR different stops to qualify...see my sidebar for the tour schedule (and click on the names to arrive at their blogs). Rena will contact the winner at the end of the tour to find out how they'd like the book to be signed. Good luck!
23 comments:
Great post, Adrienne! I loved how you tied in the facts about rats to the different job opportunities. Very clever! Thank you so much for participating in my blog tour for Dilly!
My pleasure, Rena!
I've been enjoying the other posts in the tour as well. I've learned all kinds of interesting things - even how to make red pickles!
What a fun post, I am going to catch up on the tour today.
Great rat jobs…
I had two rats as a kid. I use to dress one of them in doll clothes, so I guess you
could add model to your list.
Louise
A different, unique, and interesting blog post. I'm so glad I stopped by.
Oh, and the book is great, too.
Hi Adrienne...I found you again! Woot! Hope you are doing well. Now, I can catch up on you and your art!
**hugs** =)
Louise - A model...I love it! I can add patience to their list of virtues, too. :)
Vivian - Thanks, I'm so glad you stopped by, too. Yes, it's a cute and clever story!
Paris - Glad you found me!
Adrienne,
I loved the interesting facts about rats. Imagine Dilly getting his tummy tickled and giggling! :o) Funny!
Back again after looking at your portfolio to say that I absolutely LOVE your artwork! :o)
Fun to read about the different rat facts... very cleaver!
Interesting facts... I never knew a rat could giggle!
Aw! Rena's book looks sweet. Interesting tie-in facts, too--I will never underestimate the size of those little holes in the garage drywall again!
A delightful tour stop once again - Rat facts, fun & creative. Hmmm, career option - stage magician - perhaps doing birthday parties. Slip through the hole nobody notices in the magic sealed box, first there, then not there, then back holding the last pickle from the buffet table - crunch with a briny giggle.
Beth - Cute image...a ticklish Dilly! And thank you for the nice words about my work.
mandja - I learned quite a few things about them, too. Thanks for visiting!
Kelly - I knew they liked to play, but I didn't know about the laughing, either. :D
Ara - They are industrious little things, aren't they? :)
Kate - What a delightful idea...I love the big finish with a pickle!
Very clever posting and interesting facts to tie into the "jobs". Thanks for hosting Rena. Looks like she is doing well on her first ever blog tour. Another fact about what they can/cannot chew through - they can chew through steel wool as it cuts their jaws so if you ever holes that need plugging up - just put some steel wool in them and the rats or mice can't get through them.
Again another fun posting - see you all in the postings - E :)
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Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS), 50-state, mystery, trivia series
STATE OF WILDERNESS, Book 1 of 50 now available.
STATE OF QUARRIES, book 2 of 50 now available
STATE OF RESERVATIONS, book 3 of 50 coming 2009
WHERE WILL THE ADVENTURE TAKE YOU NEXT?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://junior-geography-detective-squad.weebly.com/
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jgdsseries/ (series newsletter forum)
Elysabeth - Interesting fact about the steel wool...and a good tip, too! Thanks for stopping by.
cute rates - but they also eat sofas, steal banana bread, and pee on chairs - bet that is not in the book ;)
Hey, it's hard to beat that whole plague rap. Nice to see that rats are finally turning the corner - starring in children's books no less!
Looks like a fun book
Rats are awesome swimmers. We used to put ours in the bathtub. True story. Weird, but true!
Congrats to Dilly & Rena! Great post!
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Rats can chew through glass.... um... eek! Now don't get me wrong, I love Dilly and all and I can't wait to get my copy of the book but a real rat? hm... not my cup of tea. (Wait - can they chew through teacups as well?) eek.
i LOVED this!!!!!
Okay, now I must have this book.........
Shelli - Eh, no one's perfect... :D
ICQB - Yeah, that's a hard one to live down! I'm sure people living in squalor had nothing to do with it...
Suzie - It is!
H Pinski - A bathtub/swimming pool for rats...I love it!
Tracy - Just because they can doesn't mean they would...I'm sure some rats have much better manners than others. :)
Vodka Mom - I bet it'd be a great one to read to your class - and learn about careers!
I will admit that my previous knowledge of rats was very limited!
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