The Alphabet Thief

Richardson and Bikadoroff reveal just how important letters are as the eponymous Alphabet Thief—who looks one part witch, one part rogue musketeer—goes on a crime spree, stealing one letter at a time. The result: madcap linguistic chaos, which Richardson describes with glee in rhymes that never take a false step: “The Alphabet Thief stole all of the I’s./ The maid was made mad in a glance./ And artists at easels would rather have measles./ Than find that their paints were now pants.” Bikadoroff’s airy ink-and-watercolor portraits are just as much fun, and the book’s small trim size and big sense of fun make it a smart pick for language lovers of any age. Ages 5–9. (Mar.)