A family of rats is forced to leave their home, so sets out to find the fabled city of Ratenburg. Along the way they outwit vicious dogs, tricky rat traps and sharp-beaked hawks, and make some very dangerous crossings. The rat familys adventures test their character and grow bonds between sisters and brothers, family friends, mum and dad. Narrating the tale is Spinnaker Rat, an Edwardian-style father, full of wisdom about the ways of the world, who finds himself learning more than he expected.