Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book is written by the host of Rate Your Story who just joined The Seymour Agency as an AGENT (huge congratulations to you, Lynne Marie!), and she’s offering a super cool giveaway choice to one lucky winner: some Macaroons by mail or a Book or a Mentoring Session. Wow! The book launches September 5th – please make sure you leave a comment for a chance to WIN.

THE PALACE RAT
Written by Lynne Marie
Illustrated by Eva Santana
Published by YeeHoo Press (September 5, 2023)
Ages: 4-8
Themes: Independence, making choices, friendship
Synopsis:
Perfect for fans of Kevin Henkes’ Mouse Adventures and Leo Lionni’s Frederick, or young readers taking their first steps towards independence!
Henri is a palace rat living as the pampered pet of King Louis the XVI! He’s waited on paw and foot . . . but not everybody is happy about it. When a dastardly plan by the royal staff casts Henri out to the streets, he must find his own way safely home. Country mice take Henri in and kindly show him their ways of living. To survive, Henri will eat field strawberries, fashion new clothes out of rags to match the latest Parisian styles, and sleep on grass nests, dreaming of his return to the palace.
In no time, Henri will become a popular figure, spinning rich and colorful tales of palace life for growing audiences. Yet every great tale must have a happy ending . . . and when the time comes for Henri to determine how his own story will conclude, will he choose to stay with his new friends on the street or return to his regal life of comfort?
Why I Love This Book:
1. I love the old folktale feel combined with the Country Mouse/City Mouse theme.
2. I love the illustrations.
3. I love the message of treasuring friendship over finery.
RELATED ACTIVITIES

Here are some adorable mouse and rat craft activities to create with your kids. Some of them are puppets…and you and your children can act out the story – role playing the different parts. Role-playing with puppets is a fabulous way to open discussions about sensitive topics. You will find detailed instructions for the crafts right here: https://www.kidsartncraft.com/rat-crafts-activities-for-kids/
Thank you for spending your precious time with us. Please remember to leave a comment for a chance to win the giveaway: Winner’s choice of delicious macaroons mailed to your home or a copy of the book (when it launches in September), or a Mentoring Session with the talented Lynne Marie.
And also remember that we can let authors and illustrators know we love their books by:
Buying them – THE PALACE RAT is available for PRE-ORDER!
Reviewing them on Amazon and Goodreads (place it on your Goodreads WANT-TO-READ shelf).
Tell friends about them (please share this post on your social media…that helps spread the word).
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.
I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!
Love the colorful cover and the message of friendship!
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Awww, thanks @Helen! Yes, I agree about the cover! And friendship rocks! It also has a subtle theme about the value of storytelling 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
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Congratulations, Lynne Marie, on your latest book and your new chapter as an agent!
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Thanks Stephanie! I appreciate your time and thoughts!
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I haven’t seen a book like this in a while! Big congratulations on your new role–very exciting!
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Thanks @Kamilla I hope you enjoy the storytelling and themes! Have a royal day!
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This sounds great, and I can’t wait to find out his happy ending!
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Thanks @Happilyheggledy! I hope you enjoy the story and themes! Have a Royal day!
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I can’t wait to see how Henri gets through all of this. Congrats on your new position and having your book out for the fall.
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Thanks, @readmybook2022 I hope you enjoy the story and themes! Have a Royal day!
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Looking forward to reading this one out loud! Big week for Lynne Marie!
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Thanks, @robincurrie1! Nice to see you over here! I hope you enjoy the story and themes! Have a Royal day!
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I can’t wait to read The Palace Rat. It has the feel of a much-loved classic tale. Congratulations, Lynne Marie!
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Thanks, @Joyce Uglow. I hope you enjoy the story and themes! Have a Royal day!
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This sounds like the plot is so rich! I look forward to reading it.
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Thanks @WhitneyMyers – I think you will enjoy the nod to the value of storytelling. I hope you enjoy the story and themes! Have a Royal day!
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I’m anxiously awaiting The Palace Rat. I read this story years ago when it was a fledging manuscript. Congrats, Lynn! 🎊🎉 It’s been a long time coming! Yay!
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YES! Thank you for being on it’s long and winding path to success! I appreciate the role you played in it’s evolution! Best, LM
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I’m definitely putting this on my to read list. I love the original folktale. This one seems better 🙂
Congratulations, Lynn Marie!
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I hope you enjoy it, @RachelleBurk – please feel free to let me know your thoughts! http://www.literallylynnemarie.com
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Congratulations on many levels, Lynne Marie. The Palace Rat looks adorable with a classic feel and important themes.
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Awww thanks, Rose! I appreciate your thoughts! I hope you enjoy it! Have a Royal Day!
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So excited to read and congrats on becoming an agent.
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Thanks so much for your congratulations! It’s a fun week of celebrations! Have a Royal day!
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Congratulations on your beautiful book, Lynne! I love the premise and the layers to it.
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Thanks @HilaryMargitich! I hope you enjoy the threads 🙂 Have a Royal day!
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Congratulations, Lynne! Sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it to learn what Henri chooses to do at the end.
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Awww, thanks, @KimALarson! I hope you enjoy it and agree with Henri’s choice. Have a Royal day! LM
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So happy to see Henri will have a life on bookshelves everywhere. A charming story and adorable character will be so loved. Congrats, Lynne.
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Awww thanks so much, @DeeKnabb! So nice to see you here! Have a Royal day!
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I love both of your comp titles. Here’s to another successful book for you!
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Awww, thanks so much Rinda! I appreciate your thoughts. Have a Royal day!
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You are BUSY, Lynne Marie! Congratulations on the newest addition to your library!
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Thanks so much, Wendy! This one was a long time coming LOL
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Congratulations, Lynne Marie! How exciting!
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Thanks so much, Lauri! It’s been an exciting week! Have a Royal Day!
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Congratulations on your book! I’m excited to learn how a pampered rat learns to adapt to a humble life and find his own happy ending.
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Yes! I had so much fun working that part out! Hope you like it! Have a Royal day!
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Looking forward to reading your next best seller! This is a stellar year for you!
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