The Three Robbers - Softcover

Ungerer, Tomi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0689715110 ISBN 13: 9780689715112

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1991

Synopsis

Three fierce robbers with big black capes and tall black hats are prowling the countryside in the dead of night. They carry a blunderbuss, a pepper-blower, and a huge red axe, terrorizing and stealing from everyone. The robbers store their loot high on a mountain in secret cave. They have trunks full of gold, jewels, money. watches, wedding rings, and precious stones.One dark night, the three robbers stop a carriage carrying a little girl whose parents have died. Unhappily on her way to live with a wicked aunt, Tiffany is thrilled to see the robbers, but when they take her to their hideout, she isn't the least bit impressed by their great wealth -- much to their chagrin!The droll text and big, dark illustrations make The Three Robbers fun to read, and what little Tiffany does to change the robbers' thieving ways will delight young readers.

About this title

Review

"Watch the children, the subversive is back."―New York Times

"Tomi Ungerer has been proving the pen is mightier than the sword for six decades... [A] style marked by great originality of illustrative technique, and a use of language that refused to patronise his young readers."―Dazed & Confused

"His work was dark, wild, sometimes frightening. Maurice Sendak, a friend of Ungerer's, thought him the most original children's book writer of his time."―Sunday Telegraph

"Has delighted children around the world with his scarily enchanting style."―The Independent

"Phaidon Press [...] are in the process of bringing Tomi back into print with a distinction all of their own. In a reprint programme which is being carried out with careful attention to all aspects of printing and design, they have already given us excellent editions of The Three Robbers, Moon Man, Adelaide, the Flying Kangaroo and a handsomely revised and expanded edition of Far Out Isn't Far Enough, while last year they published the first edition in English of Otto."―Books for Keeps

"Maurice Sendak described Ungerer's work as passionate and personal - it's marvellous and it's cuckoo and it's that kind of veracity that's always made for good children's literature"―The New York Times, Outside In, Inside Out

"You can see his work repeated by lots of illustrators, it's just so strong and graphically interesting, as in The Three Robbers. His images attract both adults and children and I can see the pictures without remembering the titles. It's art - illustration at the highest level."―The Times

"Good news for children and fans of illustration alike... This story of three black-hatted, cape-wearing thieves and their unexpected encounter with a little orphan girl has lost none of its charm. It's all inky shadows and night-sky blues, making for a refreshingly dark tale for youngsters... Robbing loot has never looked like so much fun."―Creative Review

"Dark and delightful."―Grafik

"Tomi Ungerer is highly original. This is a famous book, illustrated in a bold, simple graphic style. The robbers steal a girl called Tiffany, who asks them what they want to do with the money they've accumulated. Suddenly, as if by a miracle, they become good." ―Axel Scheffler, author of The Gruffalo, The Times, Saturday Review

About the Author

Tomi Ungerer is one of the world’s most famous and best-loved children’s authors. An illustrator, writer, designer, toy-collector and archivist of human absurdity, his work spans storybooks, poster designs, political campaigns and film. He is a recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen prize for illustration, and the Musée Tomi Ungerer, devoted exclusively to his work, opened in Strasbourg in 2007.

Edition details

• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0689715110
• ISBN 13: 9780689715112
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 39