| Everyone knows
Gawain is the most honorable goose. So when rubies, then gold,
and finally even the famous Kalikak diamond are found missing from
the Royal Treasury, no one can believe that Gawain is the
culprit. Still, he and King Basil the bear are the only ones
with keys.
"You may discover a tear
in your eye when you finish this story of the wrongly accused goose
. . . Highly recommended. Indeed, The Real Thief
could become a children's classic." --Gene Shalit, Ladies
Home Journal
"Delightful . . .
Steig's
drawings provide a charming accompaniment to a wholly winning
story." --*Starred/School Library Journal
"A story of theft,
guilt, friendship, and pride. Standing up and admitting our mistakes
is dealt with here in a touching manner." --Jim Trelease,
The Read-Aloud Handbook
"Honorable goose Gawain
has only his king's best interest at heart but, as guard of the
royal treasury, he is accused of theft after jewels and money
disappear from the vault . . . Steig's captivating style and
tongue-in-cheek humor bring to life an endearing set of animal
characters with some extremely human foibles." --Booklist
"Impossible to
resist." --Kirkus Reviews
Awards
ALA Notable Book
New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the
Year
New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
IRA-CBC Children's Choice
Reviews
Booklist
Honorable goose Gawain has only his king's best interests at heart
but. as guard of the royal treasury, he is accused of theft after
jewels and money disappear from the vault. His old friends turn
against him on the basis of circumstantial evidence, and Gawain
barely escapes imprisonment by flying through a courtroom window.
Meanwhile the real thief, a humble mouse named Derek, who cannot
live with his guilt any better than he could endure the envy that
prompted him to steal in the first place, secretly returns the
treasures, clearing Gawain and tracing down the goose in hiding. The
two exchange tales of suffering and return to the penitent king and
subjects. As usual Steig's captivating style and tongue-in-cheek
humor bring to life an endearing set of animal characters with some
extremely human foibles.
School Library Journal -
*starred review
Steig has produced another delightful story. This one centers on
Gawain, the goose, who is chief guard of the royal treasury -- a job
he undertakes chiefly out of love for King Basil, the bear. When
various items disappear from the treasury, Basil doesn't want to
suspect Gawain, but the king and the indignant townspeople are
finally convinced that Gawain is the culprit. After his trial and
conviction, Gawain escapes but is too depressed by the loss of his
friends and his honor to travel far. Eventually he is discovered by
a mouse named Derek, the real thief (though hardly a hardboiled
criminal -- he just became infatuated with the power of gold and
rubies to beautify his humble home.) Although he has not publicly
admitted his guilt, remorseful Derek has indirectly proven Gawain's
innocence by continuing to steal and then returning everything after
the goose's disappearance. All ends well with the kingdom
restored to happiness, Gawain to his honor, and Derek to his
friendship. For young readers or listeners, it's an involving story
with animal characters displaying more real emotions than many
supposed human characters. Steig's gray line-and-wash drawings
provide a charming accompaniment to a wholly winning story. |
The
Real Thief