Burglar Bill has to find ways of entertaining and looking after the baby - feeding him beans, playing the piano to him, trying to change his nappy, teaching him to talk. The very stereotypical type - with a black-and-white striped top, a bag of loot over his back, and a mask over his eyes.

The improbable union that follows offers a convenient moral that turns both thieves into honest folk who vow to keep on the straight and narrow. It's interesting to note that a number of online reviews criticize the fact that Bill and Betty were never punished for their transgressions, leading me to wonder whether this issue has ever caused the book to be challenged, when it comes to inclusion in school and public library collections. I find amusement in the fact that my issue isn't with the Willingly Be A Criminal Without Consequence, though that is a problem, but with the fact that it's teaching very typical media versions of relationships, which always bothers me.Anyway, gosh, Burglar Bill is totally defined by his whole burglar-ness, as well as his Englishness, as every night he has 'stolen fish and chips and a cup of stolen tea for supper'. If I had to recommend ‘Burglar Bill’ I would suggest its use in the EYFS, purely as a book to read to the class and facilitate a discussion about stranger danger. The story is simple but delightful and the dialogue is spot on - especially for parents who like to do voices when they read aloud.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.The plot becomes very predictable - as Burglar Bill and Burglar Betty talk, they both establish that the other is single, and so they decide to get married. Highly recommend this book for KS1 during story time, children will engage with it as it is very light hearted and has great pictures that go alongside the story. This hilarious tale by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is one of the best-loved picture books ever – a timeless classic that parents recognise and children love. The story itself is gleefully subversive in depicting a life of crime and redemption without consequence. I would of much preferred it if Burglar Bill and Burglar Betty had carried on with their mischievous ways, committing themselves to a life of crime, with a third member (Burglar Baby) joining in with the midnight antics.

I simply love this book which is about a burglar named Bill whos life is surrounded by stolen items from the tea he drinks to the bed he sleeps on! The first is when he steals a box only to find it contains a baby, and the second is when he, too, is burgled, by Burglar Betty. She just left him on the door step while she was busy burgling and the next thing she knew, he'd gone. The illustrations have a timeless charm, full of character and period detail, wonderfully rich and coloured in a style that's not that familiar these days. The striking simplicity of Bill's burgling outfit – a black mask and cap and a striped shirt – has made Burglar Bill a popular party or Halloween costume choice.This beautiful story takes us on Burglar Bill’s journey of transformation as he learns from his experiences and aims to pursue a new career which does not involve crime.

Allan Ahlberg has published over 100 children's books and with his late wife Janet, created many award-winning children's picture books, including Cops and Robbers, It was a Dark and Stormy Night, Each Peach Pear Plum and the Kate Greenaway Medal winning The Jolly Postman. I can remember, after reading this, telling my mum and a group of her friends that I wanted to be a burglar when I grew up, and their mock outrage (which seemed genuine to me! Burglar Bill is the delightful story of a thief who lives off other people's fortunes, until two major events change his life forever.We have enjoyed Peepo, Funnybones, Each Peach Pear Plum, The Jolly Postman, Please Mrs Butler, and the wonderful Happy Families stories.