Little Thief! Chota Chor! — Vijaya Bodach

08/28/2020K-Gr 2—Anjali, who has dark black hair and brown skin in a setting that recalls South Asia, has awoken to the usual sounds of nighttime but something is wrong. Slipping out of bed, she notes the open door but she cannot rouse her mother. Anjali begins to cautiously take stock, and while nothing is missing from the kitchen several other sparkly items (a comb, some coins, and a sequined skirt) are! Anjali runs out into the street shouting THIEF! CHOR!, rousing her neighbors, the night watchman, and her mother. Everyone begins searching for the thief, but it is Anjali who finds the unexpected culprit, a little monkey. Luring it with a banana, Anjali succeeds in trading food for her things and everyone is able to return to a good night's rest. Anjali's age is difficult to ascertain through her actions—her imagination runs as wild as a toddler's, but she lights a lantern with a match, an act that might indicate a more mature child. Her motives aren't always clear, potentially making her hard to relate to for young readers. The illustration paints bold colors against the night backdrop creating a vibrant feel that draws in the gaze and propels the story along. VERDICT A lighthearted tale of a non-thief in the night. A secondary purchase.—Jessica Caron, Bancroft Sch., MA