The Snatchabook
by Helen Docherty (Author)
It's bedtime in the woods of Burrow Down, and all the animals are ready for their story. But books are mysteriously disappearing. A rabbit named Eliza Brown decides to stay awake and catch the book thief. It turns out to be a little creature, the Snatchabook, who has no one to read him a bedtime story. All turns out well when the books are returned and the animals take turns reading bedtime stories to the Snatchabook, embodying a wonderful message of forgiveness for kids.
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Publishers Weekly
What if all the bedtime books suddenly disappeared? That's the curious nighttime incident in the snug forest animal community of Burrow Down, and it's up to an intrepid rabbit named Eliza Brown to find the culprit. Her discovery is the adorable eponymous critter, a cross between an insect and a bat (with a leonine tail for good measure), who promptly throws himself on Eliza's mercy: "I know it's wrong, but can't you see--/I've got no one to read to me!" Eager to make "his full amends," the Snatchabook is welcomed into Burrow Down's homes, and is last seen "perched happily on someone's bed.../ listening hard to each word said." Although the creatures are a mite too cute and the verse overly singsong, the husband-and-wife team of the Dochertys have a winner in this heartwarming tribute to the essential role of bedtime reading in the lives of families. Thomas Docherty's watercolor cartoons are quite splendid, especially for the impressive use of lapis blue to set the nocturnal scenes. Ages 3-6. (Oct.)
Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1--With rhyming text reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's work, this book refuses to be read silently. A Snatchabook, a lonely creature who loves books, is loose in Burrow Down. Books are disappearing every night, and "Eliza Brown at Number 3/was keen to solve the mystery./She planned one night to lie in wait/and use a pile of books as bait./Long hours passed without a peep/(she'd nearly fallen fast asleep)/when, suddenly, Eliza heard/a flap of wings: /a bat?/a bird?" Once the Snatchabook is discovered, Eliza quickly hatches a plan, resulting in a satisfying ending. The gorgeous illustrations are a perfect match for the lively text. This book is a fabulous fit for both storytime and one-on-one reading. Children will be begging for this book to be read to them every night-clever ones will claim they want to keep the Snatchabook happy. A first purchase for libraries everywhere.--Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Stories in rhyme
Forest animals
Books and reading
