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The Heist
Wally and Bo get a harebrained idea to rob a bank. What could go wrong? This children's book combines amusing illustrations with clever rhymes to delight young children, and provides a message that kids should stay in school.
34 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2025
About the author
Stanford Apseloff
24 books28 followersI grew up with an identical twin, Glen, so from day one, my world was surreal. Perhaps that's why I like Salvador Dali, Michael Cheval, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
My parents were both English professors, and our modest home had books everywhere. We had an old black-and-white TV that competed, but my parents made sure the books won.
Without me realizing it, my parents forced me to become creative. If I wanted to learn magic tricks, I couldn’t buy them from a catalog; I had to figure out how they worked and make them myself. My parents got an old piano from a neighbor who was moving out of state, and in the void created by restricted television, that piano sitting in our living room beaconed me to play. If I wanted to draw, my mother would sketch whatever I wanted—I vividly remember witches on a broomstick—so that I could learn how to do it.
As an adult, I developed a love for nature/wildlife photography and incorporated that into my early writings. Later, via an odd series of events, I discovered the artist Michael Cheval, and we became friends. I wrote two books about his artwork (Michael Cheval’s Dreams and Michael Cheval’s Magic) and a novel, The Third Syzygy, featuring characters from Cheval’s artwork. Michael Cheval illustrated that novel with dozens of drawings.
I find creative projects and I write, not because it’s a discipline I wish to pursue, but because that’s what makes me tick. I’m not happy unless I’m creating something, experiencing the pleasure of watching it take shape. If others enjoy the finished product, that’s a bonus.
My parents were both English professors, and our modest home had books everywhere. We had an old black-and-white TV that competed, but my parents made sure the books won.
Without me realizing it, my parents forced me to become creative. If I wanted to learn magic tricks, I couldn’t buy them from a catalog; I had to figure out how they worked and make them myself. My parents got an old piano from a neighbor who was moving out of state, and in the void created by restricted television, that piano sitting in our living room beaconed me to play. If I wanted to draw, my mother would sketch whatever I wanted—I vividly remember witches on a broomstick—so that I could learn how to do it.
As an adult, I developed a love for nature/wildlife photography and incorporated that into my early writings. Later, via an odd series of events, I discovered the artist Michael Cheval, and we became friends. I wrote two books about his artwork (Michael Cheval’s Dreams and Michael Cheval’s Magic) and a novel, The Third Syzygy, featuring characters from Cheval’s artwork. Michael Cheval illustrated that novel with dozens of drawings.
I find creative projects and I write, not because it’s a discipline I wish to pursue, but because that’s what makes me tick. I’m not happy unless I’m creating something, experiencing the pleasure of watching it take shape. If others enjoy the finished product, that’s a bonus.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 18, 2025
“The Heist” harkens back to the children’s books of yesteryear, when masters like Dr. Seuss would thrill readers with his wonderful rhymes and memorable illustrations. Fans of the good doctor will appreciate the thought that went into constructing the rhyming couplets, and will hurriedly turn page after page to get to the next set, but not before pausing to peruse the original artwork by young Evan Apseloff, where comic, geometrized people and objects, in a takeoff of the cubist style, express simple emotions clearly. The story itself is basic: two lazy and stupid friends drop out of school, bored and penniless, decide to rob a bank, and soon get what is coming to them. They are perfect examples of the Dunning-Kruger effect, where people overestimate their abilities resulting in big trouble. Though the story is essentially a simple morality play, much smarter folks are subject to the same psychological flaw, typically causing greater problems as they are often in a position of actual power to affect others. As for the story, sadly, many criminals share a similar background with the protagonists. As the fun facts at the end of the book states: 75% of state prison inmates did not complete high school and many are caught through their own unavoidable carelessness.
April 1, 2025
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This was rather odd. I read it with my 4-year-old nephew who quickly lost interest. Though it was sweet of the author to have his son illustrate the story, the weird drawings held no interest to us. The story itself was just strange for a children's book. It wasn't awful, but it's definitely not something I would read again.
This was rather odd. I read it with my 4-year-old nephew who quickly lost interest. Though it was sweet of the author to have his son illustrate the story, the weird drawings held no interest to us. The story itself was just strange for a children's book. It wasn't awful, but it's definitely not something I would read again.
April 28, 2025
This is a cute little book about inept criminals. Liked the characters and the illustrations. Not sure that it will deter anyone from a life of crime but it might make someone decide that school isn't so bad.
May 1, 2025
Stay in school
I first thought I wouldn't like this book, thought it was too negative. Then I realized this book would be great for 4-6th graders. It gives lots of information and talking points about why it is important to do your best in school.
I first thought I wouldn't like this book, thought it was too negative. Then I realized this book would be great for 4-6th graders. It gives lots of information and talking points about why it is important to do your best in school.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews