

Success has never tasted so good in this picture book about standing up to gluten and celebrating a gluten-free diet! Anyone who feeds other people would be well served by this tale. -Kirkus Reviews The dynamic duo of I Am a Thief by Abigail Rayner (author) and Molly Ruttan (illustrator) have created a new picture book sure to spark conversations about this timely issue. Violet used to love birthday parties, but now that she has celiac disease, she’s not allowed to eat pizza, cake, or anything else with gluten. Violet feels alone until she discovers that some animals have dietary restrictions as well. While standing up for her animal friends, she realizes she can do the same for herself. And when it’s time to celebrate Violet’s birthday, there isn’t a single gluten-containing crumb in sight! Filled with pluck and humor, this informative story provides a great opportunity to discuss this increasingly common condition with children who have celiac disease and gluten-intolerance as well as those who know people who have it and are seeking to learn more about it. This book has been approved by the Celiac Disease Foundation. Praise for I Am a Thief *” Hilarious and sweet, with a gentle, affirming moral.” Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW “This entertaining, original picture book leaves plenty of room for discussion.” Booklist “…this book will resonate, and, provides an avenue for dialogue.” School Library Journal
Abigail Rayner was born in England where they have lots of history and rain. She spent her childhood visiting castles, picnicking in cars, and getting told off for writing stories during maths. When she grew up, she became a reporter and moved to New York, where she was encouraged to write stories, but not the made-up kind. These days she lives in New Jersey, with her wonderful husband, two brilliant kids, and three terrible cats. She never gets in trouble for writing stories.
Molly Ruttan grew making art and music in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. She went on to earn a BFA in graphic design from the Cooper Union School of Art, while drumming in an art-punk band. Currently, Molly lives, works and creates art in the diverse and historic neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles, where she and her husband raised three talented (and now grown-up) children. Molly loves exploring all different kinds of fine art and illustration mediums, including making her own animated book trailers. She still plays the drums, sings in a community choir and has recently started taking viola lessons. Her life is full of art, music, family, friends and all kinds of pets and urban animals—even wild parrots! Her book titles include her author/illustrator debut, The Stray, (2020 Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House) which was listed as a 2021 ALA CORE Golden Duck Notable Picture Book; I Am A Thief! by Abigail Rayner, (2019 North South Books) which earned a starred Kirkus review and won a 2021 Northern Lights Book Award for humor; and Violet and the Crumbs: A Gluten-Free Adventure by Abigail Rayner (North South Books, 2022), which has been endorsed by the Celiac Disease Foundation. Something Wild has also received a starred Kirkus review. Molly has two additional books forthcoming.
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