I Am a Thief! - by Abigail Rayner (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A ... story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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"

...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.-- "School Library Journal"

*Starred Review. This humorous story speaks to anyone who has made a regrettable mistake, rounding it out with a gently ironic surprise final spread...Hilarious and sweet, with a gentle, affirming moral.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

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. --Carolyn Phelan "Booklist"

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!