Randall McCoy is a self-proclaimed big boy now, with all the boundary testing that goes with it.
Randall shuns the usual bedtime routine. He doesn’t need to be tucked in or kissed good night. He doesn’t even need his stuffed animal, Mr. Pigglesworth. (And vegetables? He certainly doesn’t need to ever eat those again.) But when Randall tries to fall asleep he realizes how much he misses his stuffed friend. Just when he is about to grab him off the shelf, Randall sees a thief stealing Mr. Pigglesworth! He does what any big boy would do: He yells, “STOP THIEF!” But the thief doesn’t listen, so Randall chases him into the night—through the zoo, the chocolate factory and even the museum. A thick, dotted line shows the characters’ madcap dash across several pages. Lane’s burglar is classic bad-guy fare, complete with striped shirt and shifty eyes. And Randall demonstrates a youngster’s true lung power with his head thrown back and mouth open wide during each yelling refrain.
The story meanders just as much as the chase, but comics-style panels and fun, intricate details demand a closer look at this caper. (Picture book. 4-8)
