Book Review: Roland Rat Annual No. II

The rodent superstar's sophomore annual from 1985

For a certain generation of children, Roland Rat remains a superstar. In the mid-1980s, it was impossible to escape David Claridge’s self-assured rodent phenomenon. As well as infamously saving TV-am, a highly lucrative industry sprung up around Roland Rat. There were soft toys, pencil cases, crisps, videos, soaps, mugs and, of course, a series of annuals. And, today, I’m going to turn the pages of the Roland Rat Annual No. II from 1985.

A year or two ago, I was browsing through one of those quaint ‘community library’ things which have started springing up in old phone boxes and bus stops, when I spotted a glint of the 1980s in the corner of my eye. And, my word, it was the 1985 Roland Rat annual. Best of all, it was free. Sure, it’s not a priceless collectible, but it’s always good to get something for nothing. Anyway, it’s been collecting dust on my shelf for ages, so let’s dust it down and see what lies within.