The Snatchabook

By Helen Docherty, Thomas Docherty (Illustrator)

A group of books disappear at night in the town of Burrow Down, leading to a mysterious figure being discovered,

6.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,004 ratings

32 pages· 580 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In Burrow Down, bedtime stories are vanishing. Determined rabbit Eliza Brown stays awake to catch the thief. She discovers the Snatchabook, a lonely creature longing for a story. Will the animals forgive and share their tales?

From the publisher

Where have all the bedtime stories gone? A delightful addition to the picture book canon about the love of reading One dark, dark night in Burrow Down, a rabbit named Eliza Brown found a book and settled down…when a Snatchabook flew into town. It’s bedtime in the woods of Burrow Down, and all the animals are ready for their bedtime story. But books are mysteriously disappearing. Eliza Brown decides to to stay awake and catch the book thief. It turns out to be a little creature called the Snatchabook who has no one to read him a bedtime story. All turns out well when the books are returned and the animals take turns reading bedtime stories to the Snatchabook.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Words: 580
Reading age: 3–6
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD600L

Themes & topics

Books about forgiveness Books about sharing Books about forest animals Books about books and libraries Books about bedtime

The Bookroo review

What our editors thought of The Snatchabook

“In every house, in every bed, a bedtime book was being read” in this wonderful book-centric world created by husband and wife team Tom and Helen Docherty. This enchanting woodland world at first seems to feature only ordinary creatures you might find in your local forest—badgers, hedgehogs, rabbits and the like—until the book’s namesake rises eerily from the shadows: the Snatchabook. This mythical creature, while making an eery apperance, is a friendly, goodhearted character that draws us further into the storybook world with its features that seem to include, among others, dragon fly wings and a lion’s tail. The illustration style feels classic but fresh, and the inclusion of time-honored stories—such as Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks—and toys—like blocks and train sets—ensures the illustrations will be hold up well throughout the years. Add to this the book’s excellent cadence, elevated word choice and sweet story, and the Dochertys have created a classic read-aloud about the joy of reading.

The verdict

“The joy of reading springs from each page, enchanting seemingly ordinary forests and bedrooms.”

Bookroo Editorial

Reviewed October 2019

6.3/7

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

In every house, in every bed,
A bedtime book was being read

Eliza Brown, at Number Three,
Was reading quite contentedly

Good to know

Stories behind the story

We’ve had The Snatchabook on our list of favorites for a while, and we’re so glad we could share it with our subscribers. Where did you get the idea for the book?

I got the idea at the end of a long day of trying to think up original story ideas. The words ‘book thief’ popped into my head, and with them the idea of a mysterious creature who steals storybooks in the night. At first I was going to call it the BookCruncher or the BookSnatcher, but these sounded a little menacing. I tried reversing the words and came up with the Snatchabook, which sounded more fitting for a lonely creature who just wants someone to read him a bedtime story. At the time, I was reading to our own children every night (actually, I still do!) - it’s such a special, important part of our daily routine

What readers & critics say

Reviews

6.3

out of 7

6.0

“This book has important over-arching themes of righting a wrong and empathy. The Snatchabook uses empathy by realizing what it would be like to have your cherished books stolen, and Eliza Brown uses empathy to realize what it would be like not to have parents reading you books. The two become friends because they can imagine what the other must feel like.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

6.0

“The charming rhyming text and sweet yet spunky illustrations of The Snatchabook were created by a husband and wife team—how cool! Together they weave a FANTASTIC story about a love of reading and friendship that teaches kindness, understanding, empathy, and forgiveness… all while being absolutely enjoyable! This is sure to become an all-time favorite—it is one of ours!”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

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