Rats!
by Mary Conway Kolka
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · Identity / Self-Acceptance / Community / Courage
Ron the rat is tired of his name being used as an insult — so he and his friends set out to change what the word means.
Project Overview
Rats! by Mary Conway Kolka follows Ron, a little rodent who refuses to let a single word define him or his community. Stung by the way people use “rats” as an expression of frustration and failure, Ron rallies his friends to show the world a different story — one of courage, teamwork, and the kind of quiet dignity that transforms perception. Mary Conway Kolka writes with humor and heart, keeping the story genuinely funny while its message lands with real weight.
The illustration challenge was making Ron immediately lovable and sympathetic — rats carry a significant image problem in children’s media, and the art needed to overcome that instinctive reaction quickly, giving Ron an expressiveness and warmth that made readers root for him from his very first appearance on the page.
Role
- Character design (Ron and his rat community)
- Full book illustration
- Expressive anthropomorphic animal character design
- Visual comedic timing and emotional arc illustration
- Print-ready file preparation
Selected Double-Page Spreads (Final Book Layout)
Author’s Feedback
Agus didn’t just illustrate my book – he added a whole new layer of magic to it. If you’re looking for someone who’s not just an illustrator but a true partner in your creative journey, you’ve hit the jackpot with Agus. My story wouldn’t be the same without his incredible talent and spirit.
Mary Conway Kolka – Author of Rats!
Book Details
ISBN-13
979-8987384145
Publisher
Self Published
Publish Date
December 8, 2022
Age Range
3 – 8 years
Page Count
33 pages
Format
8.5″ x 11″ Paperback, eBook
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