Ratscalibur

In this playful retelling of the legend of Excalibur, a kingdom of city-dwelling rats is in crisis until a stranger frees the legendary Spork in the Scone to reveal himself as their foretold hero. But Joey is actually a human boy, transformed into a rodent by a Gondorff the Gray, a talking pet rat who happens to be a powerful Ragician. Joey’s quest to find Squirrelin the Squagician is his only hope to save Ravalon and return himself to human form. Pulling in references to The Lord of the Rings, The Three Musketeers, and more, Lieb (I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President) gleefully spoofs Arthurian legend, paying close attention to the keen sense of smell leading Joey on his rodent journey. Lintern’s elegantly drafted pen-and-ink drawings bring additional humor and suspense to the furry underbelly of the cityscape. First in the Chronicles of the Low Realm, it’s a charming take on an old favorite about overcoming life’s twists and finding strength inside oneself. Ages 8–12. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (May)