The Lab Rats of Doctor Eclair

Christine Linge is a past director of the Toronto & District Parent
Co-operative Preschool Corporation, a freelance writer, and a bookseller
specializing in children’s literature.

Doctor Eclair is a kindly scientist who treats his lab rats to sports
drinks when they exercise, gives them a map and a compass when they are
put in a maze, and administers only those tests with multiple-choice
questions. When a mysterious lightning strike one day rearranges the
molecules of three rats, giving them superpowers, they put their gifts
to immediate use by saving Dr. Eclair from a lab fire. To save research
animals the world over, the rats and scientist team up to create the
perfect artificial lab rat. During the research, three baby rats
disappear, and Dr. Eclair tries to locate them by computer search
(RatScape 2.0). The adult rats find the youngsters teaching the
prototype robot rat how to play tag, with dangerous results. A daring
rescue ensues, but the prototype’s artificial intelligence has been
proven. The future for this rat-scientist team looks exciting!

Author/illustrator John Bianchi combines simple but brisk prose;
bright, cartoonlike illustrations; and a plot free of complication but
full of adventure to create a captivating literary package. His highly
accessible characters operate against a background rich in changing
perspectives. The underlying humor and upbeat sentiments make up for the
slender story line. With baby rats, robots, and superpowers, there is
something to appeal to every young reader.

As a quick and tasty reading “bite,” especially for reluctant
readers, this book is a welcome addition to Bianchi’s Bungalo Books
family. Recommended.