DOUBLE SIGNED AND DOODLED IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION.

DONALDSON, Julia; [Axel SCHEFFLER, Illus.] ~ The Highway Rat. Double signed by Author and Illustrator.

FIRST UK PRINTING. Alison Green Books, London: 2011

Large 4to., illustrated laminate boards featuring the Highway Rat astride a horse, and a number of other animal characters; together in the repeat dustwrapper (unclipped, £10.99 to front flap) with circular gold sticker 'By the creators of the Gruffalo' to the upper panel; decorative purple endpapers; copiously illustrated throughout with illustrations in full colour, all by Scheffler; THE BOOK a fine copy, THE WRAPPER similarly fine. The wrapper is protected in a removable mylar cover. First UK edition, first printing, with full number line 1-10. This copy double signed by both the author and illustrator in black ink to the title page, and dated in the year of publication, '1. 10. 2011'. The illustrator has additionally provided a doodle of the highway rat, in his hat, to the lower right hand corner. A wonderful copy of this popular children's story by Donaldson, inspired by 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes, which tells the tale of a greedy rodent who steals the wares of all the animals he encounters along his way, until a brave duck gets the better of him. Donaldson's nineteenth collaboration with Scheffler, it followed on not only from the tremendous success of 'The Gruffalo' (1999) and 'The Gruffalo's Child' (2003), but also other bestselling works which included 'Room on the Broom' (2002), 'The Snail and the Whale' (2003) and 'Stick Man' (2008). On Christmas Day 2017, the BBC adaptation was released, starring David Tennant in the title role. Donaldson later wrote that the work was a "particular favourite of mine. Although the Rat is such a rotter, I can’t help having a soft spot for him." Increasingly scarce with these attributes, particularly so in fine condition.

Hardcover
CONDITION: Fine
JACKET: Fine