by Julia Donaldson
Published by Scholastic
This rhyming tale follows a greedy rat who steals food until he is outsmarted and reformed. A clear morality tale, it illustrates that selfishness leads to downfall and that repentance is necessary for redemption. The story is told with humor and ends with a satisfying sense of justice. Though the main character starts off as a rogue, his journey and comeuppance open the door for discussing sin, consequences, and change. Great for teaching about honesty, generosity, and transformation.