The Snatchabook

September 2, 2013
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.

September 15, 2013
Thomas Docherty's art is the strongest element of this sweet story whose rhythm sometimes misses the mark. The story opens with a rabbit named Eliza Brown happily reading herself a bedtime story, when a creature called a Snatchabook flies into town. Beginning with Eliza's book, the Snatchabook snatches the stories of everyone reading that night--both individuals and families of charmingly illustrated forest-dwelling creatures--right out of their hands. The sometimes-uneven meter ("Tales of dragons, spitting flames; / Witches playing spooky games; / Pirates on the seven seas; / Princesses trying to sleep on peas") grates, but it only slightly diminishes the charm of the story and illustrations. Thomas Docherty successfully increases suspense by at first offering just glimpses of the Snatchabook's silhouette. When the disturbing thefts continue, Eliza sets a trap for the thief only to discover the culprit is an adorable creature with no one to read to him. Astute readers may wonder how stealing books would solve the Snatchabook's dilemma, but the resolution, in which the Snatchabook returns the stolen tomes and joins nightly read-alouds, satisfies. While the story is sweet and the illustrations darling, it's a pity it doesn't read aloud as smoothly as the books it celebrates. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2013

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.

October 1, 2013
Preschool-G In cozy little nooks carved into trees and burrowed underground, woodland folk are reading their woodland babies to sleep. Eliza Brown, rabbit occupant of burrow number three, is also tucked in for the night and settling in with a good book. But there's something on the loosea book snatcher! Eliza is determined to confront the thief and, when she does, finds . . . a wee, winged creature called a Snatchabook, who is not scary at all and longing for someone to read to him. Not a problem, thinks Eliza. After the Snatchabook returns all the stolen tomes to their rightful bookshelves, he's welcome to show up at bedtime in the forest to listen to wonderful stories. Even though the verse doesn't always have quite the right rhythm, this ever-so-sweet story begs to be read out loud. The beautifully lit illustrations are full of fun details that are sure to please little kids, and each creature, from owl to squirrel, is cute as cute can be. No doubt this one will be a hit with kids and parents alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)