I Am a Thief!

by Abigail Rayner, Molly Ruttan (Illustrator)

Overview

When Eliza Jane Murphy—line leader, captain of the worm rescue team—impulsively pockets a sparkly green stone from her classroom’s “Exploring Green” display table, her heart crumples.

My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing!

I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw?

But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives—from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog—Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right.

A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735842892
Publisher:	NorthSouth Books
Publication date:	09/03/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,113,229
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Abigail Rayner grew up mostly in England with a couple of years in Greece thrown in. She moved to New York City in her twenties, where she worked as a reporter for British newspapers. Her books, The Backup Bunny (2018) and I Am a Thief (2019) called “Hilarious and sweet” by Kirkus Reviews (starred review), have delighted children. This is her third picture book for NorthSouth Books. She lives in New Jersey, with her husband, two kids, two cats, and lots of tasty gluten-free snacks.

Molly Ruttan is from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, where she and her twin sister grew up drawing and creating plush toys, board games, and, of course, books! Molly attended Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. She graduated with a BFA in graphic design. Her first picture book for NorthSouth, I Am a Thief (2019) called “Hilarious and sweet” by Kirkus Reviews (starred review), is a delight. She is married to Gabriel Moffat, her childhood sweetheart and a fellow musician. They have three daughters, three dogs, one cat, one rabbit, a garden, and some fish!

Editorial Reviews

"We all make mistakes and hope for the forgiveness of those we hurt. We also are all more than the worst decisions we have ever made. That message will resonate with all readers."

New York Journal of Books

Rayner creates an engaging story through Eliza’s conversations, reflections, and disarming confessional narrative... Ruttan’s expressive mixed-media illustrations use “Wanted” posters at intervals, creatively portraying Eliza, her relatives, and their pets as thieves. This entertaining, original picture book leaves plenty of room for discussion.

Booklist - Carolyn Phelan

10/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—Even the nicest of kids can be tempted to steal, and yet, as Eliza finds out after swiping her class's emerald stone, guilt is an equally powerful motivator. Even though no one notices her take it, her conscience needles her into asking her family whether they've stolen anything. After listening to each response, she comes to understand that even decent people commit minor acts of larceny; they are not rotten thieves, only human. The thing that counts most is how one responds afterward. Being an honest child, Eliza decides to admit to the act. While Rayner's extremely relatable narrative asserts that stealing is normally wrong, the tone does not condemn those who do so. In Eliza's mind, this is the case at first, but between the stellar writing and Ruttan's comical illustrations, there is underlying assurance that all will be well. A green tint pervades the pages to match the themes, and identified persons get added to a sepia "Wanted" poster, wearing the stereotypical thief's garb. Overall, because the creators focus on emotional reasons and responses, rather than logical ones, this book will resonate with kids who have taken something that is not theirs, and, because it provides an avenue for dialogue, it may convince them to think twice. VERDICT For its honest and fair portrayal of everyday acts of theft, the creators have provided an invaluable resource for educators and parents who are attempting to steer kids in the right direction.—Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ont.

School Library Journal

★ 2019-06-23
Eliza is appalled to discover that she is a thief; can she ever redeem herself?

It all starts when Eliza—Line Leader, Caring Friend, Captain of the Worm Rescue Team—swipes a sparkly stone from the table in her classroom. It wasn't her fault. The stone made her do it. But as soon as it's hers, Eliza becomes a thief. Her reflection looks back at her through a bandit's mask, and the stone, wearing devilish horns and a pointy tail, oppresses her all day. As the entire class searches for the stone, Eliza agonizes about putting it back. What if someone sees? She goes home and asks the adults in her life if they have ever stolen anything. Her father hasn't, but nearly everyone else admits to having stolen something. Still, Eliza goes to bed in tears, thinking of her disappointed classmates. The next day, she returns the stone to Ms. Delano. And rather than judge her harshly, Ms. Delano calls her…"BRAVE?" Eliza realizes that "nobody is just a thief. Everyone is a lot of things!" This humorous story speaks to anyone who has made a regrettable mistake, rounding it out with a gently ironic surprise final spread. The playful illustrations feature textured shading and expressive lines highlighting Eliza's active imagination. Eliza and her family present as white; Ms. Delano has brown skin, and Eliza's classmates are multiracial.

Hilarious and sweet, with a gentle, affirming moral. (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews