The Robbery

by Joaquín Camp

Fans of Mac Barnett, Jory John, and Chris Haughton will adore this hilarious story of a bank robbery that doesn’t quite go according to plan.  The plan was very simple, Thief 1, Thief 2 and Thief 3 would dig a tunnel and rob a bank at night. They even took an excavation course with the best teachers. As it turns out, the thieves have a lot of unexpected skills, but digging tunnels to banks is not one of them. Their tunnels do lead to some very interesting places though…

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Storytime, Childrens, Crime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Dest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious. I loved the very random Titanic reference!

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quirky title is published by Australian publisher Berbay and is now available in the U.S.

Three thieves decide to dig a tunnel to rob a bank. The plan is simple, they take lessons on digging given by a mole (with only Thief 1 paying attention), then started digging. Oops! they mistakenly find they dug into the symphony hall, where the orchestra was performing. Start again. Oops! they dug into a wrestling match. Reset. Oops! They end up in China. Reset again. They end up on the Titanic. During the next retry, Thief 3 announced he tired of digging was going to quit. Thief 1 and 2 followed him, where they went home for dinner with some special guests.

Inspired by a famous Argentinian bank robbery, Camp's story's unsuccessful ending re-imagination makes this a rather pedestrian, trite tale. Readers see the digging path taken by these three nincompoops, how they avoided digging into a T. rex skeleton and the mole's den, yet dig right into the symphony hall (not shown on their map), a wrestling match, down to China, into the middle of the ocean on the Titanic (really???), and abandon the heist just short of their goal (the bank, whose floor collapses into the tunnel - dumping $$ and gold into it - as they are climbing up an escape route outside the bank).

His hand-colored illustrations are primitive and fun. Probably the best part of the book. It may be just me, but I am reading the black and white striped shirts and beanie hats all three wear that they are either ex-cons (I assume this is part of the Australian humor...) or former French Navy. Also, I am bothered that when they get to China, it is shown as stereo-typically upside down.

This one reads very similarly to the Mac Barnett/Jon Klassen title Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. I could see it suggested as a follow-on or as an exemplar to compare the two - for similarities and differences.

A good story, but not a "must have". Optional purchase for grades PreSchool - 2.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three thieves--readers can tell that they're thieves because of their attire which resembles something that jailhouse inmates might wear--hatch a plan to dig a tunnel from their apartment to a bank that they plan to rob after closing time. They even take an excavation course in order to know what to do. But they miscalculate several times and emerge in some very unexpected places. After all this effort, they decide not to bother digging anymore and just enjoy some pleasant moments with some of the friends they made along the way. This sly and surprising picture book [2.5 for me!] will entertain many youngsters just like the books of Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett do. There are several pages that are filled with the tunnel that the friends are digging.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbers want to rob a bank and start digging. They get tired of digging right before they get to the bank. On the way there they meet new people/creatures and the reader discovers things about them like they can play instruments and know karate. Reminds me of the Sam and Dave dig a hole, but with robbers. There are silly things in the pictures that only the reader can see, of course the main thing being they stop right before reaching the bank. I was little confused why they stopped, it seemed like it was just because they got tired of not getting there and fell asleep. Not a deep, teaching a good lesson kind of book but was cute enough for a bedtime read.

[Lynsaroo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three thieves had a simple and easy plan to dig a tunnel beneath the bank and rob 💰 it in the night. With lessons from the best (a mole of course), they set off but came up short, right in the middle of an 🎻 orchestra! With each attempt the thieves learned something about 🙃 themselves but never quite made it to the 💵 loot. Even without money in hand, the journey was made worthwhile by fun times with friends. As always, Peanut enjoyed the peek under the ground to see all the buried 🦴 treasures and just how close they got to the big payday.

[Bree Sotirovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cute cover did it for me. The story was quite entertaining. the ending was very good. I had a couple of questions like how many moles lived in that home, or was it just one pictured doing all the things.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three thieves dig their way out of prison with plans to rob a bank--but learn (sort of) that the true treasure lies within (2/3 of them agree that this is corny, but also are tired of digging so ).

A cute story that doesn't take itself too seriously.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very similar to Barnett's Sam and Dave Dig a Hole but for a slightly younger audience. I like the simple names and coloring, as if they used regular Crayola skinny markers. Never give up on your task because you don't know how close you are to completing it?

[D.K. Ryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read and charming illustrations!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole is better