Notes

23 pages, colour illustrations
New Zealand author/illustrator
Summary: Exploring the science and issues around vivisection is a hard task but we think that the Six-Foot Rats manages to convey the scientific invalidity of animal experimentation in an amusing way that is easy for children to understand, doesn't talk down to them, and most importantly, won't give them nightmares. All profits from the book will go towards funding NZAVS anti-animal testing campaigns. A lab rat's job is being poked, prodded, and tested on in every way. It's not an easy job but one rat is happy to do it...until he learns the truth! The Six-Foot Rats was written to introduce children to the place animal testing has in our society. Whilst the topic of animal testing is a serious and often upsetting one, The Six-Foot Rats instead focusses on the fundamental truth (stressing the FUN), as understood by even the lab rat: animals are not humans and it is strange and bizarre to compare the two. The Six-Foot Rats is written for 6-10-year-olds but can be enjoyed by everyone! The characters are cute and lively and this book can be read as a bedtime story with no worries of tears or nightmares! Unlike many of the lab animals in New Zealand, the heroes of our book have a happy ending that will inspire and uplift children!