Everybody is too busy looking at their screens to notice the Snaffle. When she discovers a taste for screens herself, what will happen? And will life in the city ever be the same again?
The Screen Thief! is written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty.
Published by Alison Green Books in the UK in June 2021, it has already been translated into Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Romanian, Spanish, Thai and Turkish.
How to order your copy of the book:
We always recommend buying books through your nearest independent bookshop, where possible. You can pre-order The Screen Thief! through them, or by following this link:
(Disclosure: I am an author affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!)
Reviews:
“The Screen Thief is a beautiful new picture book that might encourage you to put your screens away – and we think you’ll fall in love with the screen-munching Snaffle along the way!”
– Booktrust UK
“What a lovely, engaging picture book, full of rhythm, rhyme and the mischievous Snaffle”
– Alison Brumwell, Youth Library Group Chair
“The Screen Thief is at once lots of fun – the Snaffle causes a delicious amount of chaos – while also being an incredibly relevant book for our times [and] a delight to read aloud”
– Get Kids into Books
“You really can’t fault this lovely picture book – in fact, I might have to buy a copy for everyone I know!”
– The Book Activist
“This funny story encourages readers young and old to step away from their screens and play… It’s been an immediate hit it our house – I had to hunt it down because it had already been claimed by the kids!”
– Heather Fishwick, children’s writer and reviewer
“If you’re looking for a story to encourage children to enjoy some screen-free time, try The Screen Thief… A very timely tale about putting down your gadgets and enjoying playing with friends”
– Library Girl and Book Boy
“Having trouble switching that screen off? You need a Snaffle in your life! The Screen Thief is yet another playful, engaging, colourful story from this perfect picture book pairing. We love it!”
– Family Bookworms
“A warm and charming story for our times… We love how the the double page spread which begins the book is repeated at the end, with every character now enjoying the present moment with each other. My daughter loves spotting the differences between the two pictures!”
– Andrea (educa8wirral)
“A fun, timely treat of a tale told in Helen’s faultless rhyme and Thomas’ wonderfully detailed scenes of screen obsessives who learn a very important lesson, thanks to a visit from the friend-seeking Snaffle”
– Red Reading Hub
“This is a fantastic book which really highlights how screens can take over our lives. The Snaffle is a wonderful character!”
– Teacher Bookworm
“The rhyming reads brilliantly aloud, while the bright, busy pictures will allow children to find new details on repeated readings. A brilliant book to help children and their adults connect for a shared read”
– Miss Cleveland is Reading
“A beautiful picture book, with cheerful illustrations that are completely in keeping with this time”
– jufanke.nl (Dutch website featuring teaching ideas and themes for pre-schoolers)
