Tiny Cops and Robbers

by Joel Stewart

Wanted - the tiny robbers are on the loose! They are a mischievous lot, always looking for something they can take, especially if it is mummy's glasses, daddy's socks, or even grandpa's wig! But don't worry, here come the tiny cops! They've polished their boots, shined their badges, and now they're ready for action! Which is a good thing, because the tiny robbers are after something really BIG this time! A charming, timelless picture book from the creator of the hit children's television series The Adventures of Abney and Teal

32 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2016

About the author

Joel Stewart is a writer and illustrator of children's books. He spent the earliest years of his life in a commune in the wilds of Yorkshire, and spent the rest of his childhood in the north of England. He now lives and works in London UK.

Alongside his own picture books and chapter books, he is known internationally as an illustrator for contemporary authors such as Julia Donaldson, Carol Ann Duffy, Jeanne Willis, and Michael Rosen, and for classic texts by authors such as Hans Christian Andersen, Lewis Carroll and J.M Barrie.

He is also known as the creator/director of the hit children's animation series The Adventures of Abney & Teal, which he created, co-wrote, and directed under the guidance of Anne Wood and Ragdoll Productions LTD (creators of Tellytubbies and In the Night Garden).

Joel works in a variety of media, including digital, always with a love of drawing at the centre.

Reviews

[Mathew]

Anyone of a certain age might be forgiven for thinking this an reboot of the classic Ahlbergs picturebook (Cops and Robbers)and although this is not the case, this is certainly an homage to that masterpiece. Our narrator is a baby’s teddy bear (Big Ted), who introduces us to the house's denizens: Mum, Dad, Grandpa, Baby, a band of tiny villains who delight in stealing socks, glasses and wigs along and an equally-tiny constabulary to keep them at bay.

Whilst other reviews have complained about busy pages, with action dotted all over and speech bubbles accompanying the short narrative, I see this more as a ‘seek and explore’ picturebook. Stewart (creator of the Abney & Teal stories) invites the young reader to discover the robbers and their shenanigans and leaves plenty of other hidden gems to find. There is something of Janet Ahlberg in his illustrations too with him lovely sense of character and perspective throughout.

[Munro's Kids]

Super charming! Miniature cops and robbers engage in a household chase, stealing and recovering various kinds of loot (socks, wigs, teddy bears). Meanwhile, the regular-sized humans around them go about their evening peacefully. Quick narration, funny bits of dialogue, and colourful, kinetic illustrations all add up to an entertaining read.