Isabelle and the Crooks

‘They are sneaky, they are stealthy. They are cunning. They’re the Crooks!’ This is how this wonderfully quirky book opens, all supposing the reader gets past the endpapers, simply littered with objects ranging from ruby rings to swag bags, crowbars, pocket watches, gold cups and flashlights. Fans of Chris Mould’s characteristic style of illustration will revel in the book as page after page his stunningly artistic skills are revealed. Isabelle is a very good little girl who would never dream of breaking the law. Every time she is asked to join her extended family’s stealthy night-time burglarising, Isabelle replies in the negative. So, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday her family tiptoe out, despite Isabelle’s protesting, bringing home big booty. But on Friday they return home with the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London! Isabelle feels sure the Queen will be very sad to be missing Her precious jewels. Alone, she attempts to return them all, but is caught, arrested, interviewed by the Queen, then locked in jail. The Crooks to the rescue? The tension is built up beautifully with both text and Mould’s humorous, highly detailed illustrations. And the final sting in the tail is just perfect. A book to make the reader smile all the way through, before returning to page one to study again the superb pictures on every spread. Highly recommended.