Right on Your Tail!

by Cam Higgins, Allison Steinfeld (Illustrator)

Overview

Ratnip goes for the gold in a citywide race in this third book of the chapter book series from the author of Good Dog.

Ratnip is entering the City Race, where critters race through the streets by climbing up poles, scurrying along telephone wires, and jumping across fences. Ratnip has his eye on the prize, but his competition is tough—especially the REAL gym rat! Can Ratnip prove himself fastest critter in the city?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Ratnip chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665963510
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	05/27/2025
Series:	Ratnip , #3
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Cam Higgins wrote her very first book about a cat who lived in an alleyway when she was eight years old. As a child, she loved visiting a neighboring farm and seeing all the animals. Now Cam has a pup of her own, who is very mischievous, and she still loves writing about animals. Cam lives in New York City with her two children, her husband, and Laila the dog.

Allison Steinfeld grew up in Connecticut where she spent hours getting lost in her library books. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her two very fluffy cats. When not providing essential head scratches and belly rubs, she finds time to illustrate books like the Wait! What? series and the Kid Legends series.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1 DODGE THE TRASH

 

 

  It was a very windy night in The City. The branches shook, and the windowpanes rattled in the pizza parlor where I lived with my family.

  I don’t know about you, but I love windy nights. That’s because I get to play one of my favorite games, Dodge the Trash!

  The rules of the game are simple: Don’t get hit by any of the trash that flies your way!

  I stepped outside onto the sidewalk with my brothers, Pepperoni and Veggie.

    We got into position, crouching low to the ground. Our fur stood straight up, our ears were tucked back, and our bellies scraped the pavement.

  WHOOOSH! Suddenly, a huge cardboard box came tumbling down the sidewalk, carried by the wind.

  “Whoa!” Pepperoni squeaked.

  We all scuttled out of the way in the nick of time.

  Next, an empty juice bottle rolled toward us. My brothers and I all leaped into the air, and the bottle rolled beneath our paws.

“This game is easy-cheesy, saucy-squeezy!” Veggie said.

  His squeaks were cut off by another big WHOOOOSH. A shiny piece of paper blew our way.

  I narrowed my eyes to see what it was. Could it be a candy wrapper? I gather those for my treasure collection.

    But as the paper flew closer, I picked up a greasy scent that told me it was just a burger wrapper.

  Veggie and Pepperoni scurried out of the way, but I was too late.

    THWAP! The wrapper blew right into me, covering my face.

  “Argh!” As I tried to pull the wrapper off my face, my brothers laughed.

    “The game is called Dodge the Trash,” Pepperoni said. “Not Get Smacked in the Face by Trash!”

  Another burst of wind howled by. It swept the burger wrapper—and ME—right into the air!

  The wind tossed me upside down and untangled me from the wrapper. For a moment, I was glad to be free.

  But then I began falling straight toward the ground.

    I somersaulted in the air, trying to get my feet below me. Somehow, I managed to land on my paws.

  “Whoa!” Pepperoni and Veggie cheered. “You looked like a super rat!”

  “Yeah,” a mysterious voice chimed in. “A super DUPER rat!”