Let’s be real, people: rats conjure up some pretty scary images.
- Bubonic plague.
- The villainous rat in The Lady and the Tramp
- Professor Ratigan (The Great Mouse Detective)
- Any filthy, dangerous, unsavory part of town always = rats
Even Templeton the rat in Charlotte’s Web was grouchy and had to be bribed into bringing back written materials to inspire Charlotte’s pig-saving efforts.
Rats have earned a reputation in stories and popular culture as villains, tricksters, or creatures to avoid.
But I’ve spent years learning about rats, and the truth is they deserve a much better reputation. These tiny, feared creatures are actually incredible once you get to know them.
When I was creating the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City, I needed an animal that was intelligent, adaptable, and believable in a sprawling fantasy city. What could be more perfect for that environment than rats?
Let’s dive into these marvelous little creatures!
Rats Are Incredibly Intelligent
Rats are among the smartest animals in the world.
They can solve puzzles, learn complicated tasks, remember solutions for long periods of time, and even navigate mazes with remarkable speed. Researchers have even taught rats to drive tiny cars, proving just how adaptable and curious they can be.
That intelligence made them a natural fit for my story. I wanted readers to enjoy an animal sidekick that exemplified a “Disneyfied” level of intelligence, but was actually all based on reality. Rats really are that smart!
Rats Show Empathy
One of my favorite discoveries was learning that rats genuinely care about one another.
Studies have shown that rats will help trapped companions—even when there is no reward waiting for them. They’ve even been observed sharing food with other rats in need. (We’re not talking boring food; we are talking CHOCOLATE CHIPS, PEOPLE! That is true love.)
That’s a far cry from the selfish, greedy image many people have of them.
The rats in my story show deep empathy, anticipate positive and negative emotions, and respond to other characters’ needs without thought for their own safety.
Rats Love Collecting Treasures
Real rats are natural collectors.
Whether it’s food or interesting little objects, they’ll often carry things back to their nests and build hidden collections.
As a little girl, I actually had a concern that a rat might show up one day and drag my favorite stuffed bunny away, and I would never see her again.
Now as an adult, I see the likelihood of that happening was minimal. But as a fantasy writer, that’s incredibly fun to imagine, as well as useful to the plot. I even worked this collecting habit into the Imperial legend of “Abbot the Rat-catcher“, where it became an important part of the story.
Rats Are Dedicated Groomers
Despite what many people assume based on their living environments, rats are remarkably clean animals.
They spend an astonishing 20–30% of their day grooming themselves and other members of their group. They even clean their food before eating it.
The rats in Willomina Tip have to scurry and crawl through the dark and sometimes unsavory corners of the Imperial City, but they frequently stop to clean themselves before moving on to the next scene.
Rats Can Form Strong Bonds with Humans
Pet rat owners have known this for years.
Rats recognize their favorite people, remember experiences for long periods of time, enjoy playing, and often seek out affection from the humans they trust.
They’re curious, social, and surprisingly affectionate animals.
I majorly played into this side of my rats’ natures. My rat characters are deeply affectionate, loyal, and quick to respond to their friends’ needs. (And they really do save the day multiple times.)
How Rats Inspired Willomina Tip
I’ve spent years reading about how intelligently and wonderfully God designed rats; they are almost fantasy creatures with “magical” abilities in their own right. I knew this series was the perfect opportunity to give these remarkable little creatures a chance to shine.
Instead of creating another fantasy story where rats exist only to frighten the heroes, I wanted readers to meet characters who were clever, resourceful, loyal, and unforgettable.
Judging by the responses I’ve received from readers, that decision has paid off. My little rat friends have become some of the most memorable characters in the book.
While I enjoyed all of the side characters, my favorite of the new friends that Willomina made was Lady Rose, who is precious and needs to be protected. You’re just going to have to read the book to find out who she is. 😉
— E.F.B., Willomina Tip reviewer
Meet the Rats of Willomina Tip
If you’re ready to discover a fantasy adventure filled with floating cities, hidden tunnels, mysterious treasures, and some unforgettable rat companions, I’d love to introduce you to the world of Willomina Tip: Lost in the Imperial City.
You just might find yourself rooting for a rat before the story is over.