There are new neighbors—rats—in the apartment building. The bunnies are initially excited to hear about their new neighbors, but Vern (a sheep) thinks rats are untidy. Walter and Matilda (pigs) confirm: Rats are, indeed, incredibly messy. Smelly, too. And according to Lars and Astrid (polar bears), not only are rats messy and smelly, they also like to steal food. As the animals deliver the news to the rest of the residents, trundling down each flight of stairs in a cumulative pattern, their paranoia and prejudice only increase as they feed off one another’s unfounded fears. Of course, when they finally meet Bertram and Natasha, they’re charmed by their hospitality and lovely home and embarrassed to have judged their new neighbors before meeting them in a humorous yet timely story that cautions against forming and spreading negative, preconceived notions of newcomers. (Ages 4–7)

New neighbors have moved into the ground floor of a bustling apartment building. The bunnies upstairs are excited, but what will the other residents think? Sarah McIntyre's funny, light-hearted tale reveals there's no room for prejudice.

The bunnies upstairs are thrilled to find out that rats have moved into the first-floor apartment. But when other neighbors discover the news, excitement soon turns to jitters, panic, and worse! As the residents descend the stairs to investigate, the rats prepare a yummy dessert. Will all of the animals make the rats leave, or can fear be conquered with delicious, homemade cake?