I Was a Rat! Or, The Scarlet Slippers and The Scarecrow and his Servant

Philip Pullman, Peter Bailey

$34.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Everyman Paperbacks
18 November 2025

Fantasy & magical realism (Children's&YA); Young Adult Galaxy

Series: Everyman's Library CHILDREN'S CLASSICS

A must-have for every child's library- two enchanting tales by the best-selling author of Northern Lights, in a special hardcover omnibus edition with newly colourised illustrations.

'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 attraction? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. Or is Roger just an ordinary little boy? Only three people believe this version of the story, and it may take a royal intervention-and a bit of magic-to convince everyone else. A playful parody of the press, I Was a Rat! is a magical weaving of humour, fairy tale, and adventure.

When, in A Scarecrow and His Servant, a bolt of lightning brings Scarecrow to life, he proves to be a courteous but pea-brained fellow with grand ideas. He meets a boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant and the two embark upon a terrifying series of adventures-including battles, brigands, broken hearts, and treasure islands. But little does the Scarecrow know that he is being followed by a family who desperately wishes he'd never sprung to life.

Two stories of myth, magic and adventure from the master teller of tales.

By: Philip Pullman
Illustrated by: Peter Bailey
Imprint: Everyman Paperbacks
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 212mm, Width: 162mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 577g
ISBN: 9781841599557
ISBN 10: 1841599557
Series: Everyman's Library CHILDREN'S CLASSICS
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 18 November 2025
Recommended Age: From 8 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Philip Pullman was born in Norwich and educated in England, Zimbabwe, Australia and Wales. He studied English at Exeter College, Oxford. His first children's book, Count Karlstein, was published in 1982. To date, he has published thirty-three books, read by children and adults alike. His most famous work is the His Dark Materials trilogy. These books have been honoured by several prizes including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Book Prize, and (for The Amber Spyglass) the Whitbread Book of the Year Award - the first time that prize had been given to a children's book. Pullman has received numerous other awards, including the Eleanor Farjeon Award and the Astrid Lindgren Award. He was knighted in the 2019 New Year's Honours List for Services to Literature.

Reviews for I Was a Rat! Or, The Scarlet Slippers and The Scarecrow and his Servant

Full of hilarious, loveable characters * Sunday Times * Sound morals are seldom so entertainingly delivered, and the language, pace and drama make it perfect for reading out loud. * The Guardian (I Was A Rat!) *