Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar

by Emily MacKenzie

Overview

Some rabbits dream about lettuces and carrots, others dream of flowering meadows and juicy dandelions, but Ralfy dreams only of books. In fact, he doesn't just dream about them, he wants to read them ALL THE TIME—even if it means he has to STEAL them. Soon his obsession sends him spiraling into a life of crime!

This laugh-out-loud funny story is the perfect gift for book lovers everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681192208
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/03/2016
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	327,206
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Emily Mackenzie is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer based in Edinburgh who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art. Working mainly with ink, digital collage, and screen printing, Emily's illustrative work draws from childhood memories, an inquisitive nature, and a vivid imagination. As well as drawing, Emily loves knitting and generally gets very excited about anything bright and colorful! This is Emily's first picture book.

www.emilymackenzie.co.uk www.facebook.com/emilyillustrator

Editorial Reviews

"Quite clever . . . This sweet tribute to libraries and reading has lots of child appeal and deserves a place in every collection." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher

08/01/2016
K-Gr 2—This is the endearing tale of Ralfy, a little rabbit who can't get enough to read. While other rabbits dream of lettuce and carrots, Ralfy dreams of nothing but books. When he's not reading, he's making lists of his favorites (The Catcher in the Vegetable Patch, The Hoppit) and lists of books he wants to read (The Rabbit with the Dandelion Tattoo, A Hutch with a View). While it is unlikely that most children will get most of the references, they are indeed quite clever (A Tale of Two Warrens, One Flew over the Rabbit Hutch). Then, Ralfy begins sneaking into houses and reading other people's books; next, he's nabbing novels and pinching poetry. Arthur, who also loves to read, discovers gaps in his bookshelves along with half-eaten carrots and lies in wait one night. He spots Ralfy, but no one believes his story about a bunny book thief. However, when Ralfy sneaks into Officer Puddle's house, he is captured and identified in a lineup because all the other rabbits wearing "I Love Books" T-shirts grab the carrots from the conveyor belt while Ralfy goes for the books. Arthur feels sorry for Ralfy, and comes up with the perfect solution, taking Ralfy to a place where he can borrow all the books he wants. The volume is accompanied by charming, child-friendly cartoon-type illustrations with lots of details that enhance the humor. VERDICT This sweet tribute to libraries and reading has lots of child appeal and deserves a place in every collection.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

School Library Journal

2016-05-14
Can someone love reading too much? This is the story of how one book lover gets himself into a pickle through his passion for books.While other rabbits are doing the normal things rabbits do, Ralfy Rabbit's appetite for books leads him to a life of crime. He loves books so much that he sneaks into his neighbors' houses to read them, stealing his favorites along the way. When young, white, redheaded Arthur, another bibliophile, notices that his most beloved books have started disappearing from his shelves, Ralfy's pilfering days are numbered. Arthur wants to stop the book burglar. This rascally rabbit is caught "read-handed" when his next victim is, unfortunately for him, Officer Puddle. The police lineup to identify the culprit is hilarious. Ralfy's punishment fits the crime, and justice is served with compassion. MacKenzie combines story and illustration with brightness, action, and intrigue, keeping the pace moving while endearing this fluffy burglar to readers. Much of the illustrative humor is geared toward older bookworms, with famous titles adapted to long-eared persuasions: Warren Peas, for example, and The Rabbit with the Dandelion Tattoo, ensuring that adults will stay as engaged as little listeners will. This will be a raving favorite for fans of books about books as well as older readers who can appreciate the library humor. (Picture book. 4-10)

Kirkus Reviews

The silliness is infectious, with MacKenzie's adorable, up-to-date art paying not a lick of homage to Beatrix Potter.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo