Product Description

Everything in Burglar Bill's life is stolen, from the toast, marmalade and coffee he has for breakfast to the bed he sleeps in. One night when he is out burgling, he comes across a box with holes in the lid on a doorstep. He picks it up of course and when he gets home he discovers, to his horror, that he has stolen a baby. He and the baby muddle along together until one night he is disturbed by a burglar - Burglar Betty. She is the mother of Burglar Bill's baby. Bill and Betty decide to reform and live honest lives; they return all the stolen goods, get married and live happily ever after!

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1639 in Books
• Published on: 2010-01-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Burglar Bill is the delightful story of a thief who lives off other people's fortunes, until two major events change his life forever. The first is when he steals a box only to find it contains a baby, and the second is when he, too, is burgled, by Burglar Betty. The improbable union that follows offers a convenient moral that turns both thieves into honest folk who vow to keep on the straight and narrow.

Bright illustrations (if somewhat stereotypical, with Burglars Bill and Betty in stripy shirts, eye masks and carrying swag bags!) cheer up this somewhat serious tale and break up the text for first readers. A lovely story to read together at bedtime. (Ages 4 to 7 years) --Lucie Naylor

Amazon.co.uk Teacher Review

Children need to read at home every day to practise the reading skills that they have been taught. Here are some tips to help make Burglar Bill part of your child's reading routine:

• choose a time when you and your child both want to read, sit somewhere comfortable and quiet.
• before you begin to read, get a "feel" for the book by looking at the cover, front and back and talking about it.
• let your child hold the book and turn the pages. Look at the pictures.
• look for the little details--they help the child to understand what the book is about.
• let your child "read" the book to you by talking about each picture.
• read the book again and again if you both enjoy it.

If used to support learning at home, Burglar Bill can help first readers achieve the targets for Key Stage One English: Reading. --Amanda York

Back Jacket
Who's that creeping down the street?
Who's that climbing up the wall?
Who's that coming through the window?
Who's that? ... It's Burglar Bill.

About the Author
Janet and Allan Ahlberg created some of the world's most popular picture books, including Each Peach Pear Plum and The Jolly Christmas Postman both winners of Greenaway Medals, and The Baby's Catalogue, inspired by their daughter Jessica. Janet died in 1994 and Allan, a former teacher, now lives in London.

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Customer Reviews

I'LL 'AVE THAT!
I adored this book as a child and would ask my Grandmother to read it over and over again.
The story of a burglar like nobody else can tell it. Bill spends his days sleeping and his nights as a master criminal burglar! He will steal anything, baked beans, a toothbrush, a basket!!! Until one night he picks up more than he bargained for!
This is definitely one for children of all ages. You and your child will laugh so much at the super silly Burglar Bill!

Delightful characterisation with a moral hidden in the story
We borrowed this book from a friend and it has not yet made its way back, in fact I'm here to buy another because we can't bear to let it go. There are few books I enjoy reading over and over but this is one of them. The characterisations are delightful and if you like to act (I do) are great fun to read with someone small next to you. Bill and Betty come quite naturally to realise the error of their ways and, importantly, make amends. The moral is there but it doesn't slap you round the face, after all no-one likes to be condescended to, least of all children. Bill, Betty and the baby are hilarious and their story surprising and very funny....we think this is a bit of a classic.

the ahlbergs at their best
The story of Burglar Bill, Burglar Betty and the baby was a great favourite with my children 30 years and more ago, and it's still a great favourite now that the generation moves on. Burglar Bill is not at all alarming, just the opposite, and it's nice that he finds happiness with Burglar Betty in the end. The pictures are lovely and the text is simple,direct and kindly.