''Burglar Bill'' is a 1977 children's picture book illustrated by

Janet Ahlberg Janet Ahlberg (21 October 1944 – 15 November 1994; née Hall) and Allan Ahlberg (born 5 June 1938) were a British married couple who created many children's books, including picture books that regularly appear at the top of "most popular" lis ...

and written by Allan Ahlberg about a burglar who accidentally steals a baby. The book was a runner-up for the

Kate Greenaway Medal The Kate Greenaway Medal is a British literary award that annually recognises "distinguished illustration in a book for children". It is conferred upon the illustrator by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) ...

in 1978.

Plot summary

Burglar Bill is a thief and all of his possessions are stolen items, including the bed he goes to sleep in. On a typical night of thievery, Burglar Bill comes across a box with holes in, and takes it. Upon arriving home, he discovers that within the box is a baby. The baby and Burglar Bill end up spending a day together, but when Bill is putting the baby to bed, he hears an intruder downstairs. He confronts the burglar, who he discovers is Burglar Betty, and they talk to one another to find they have much in common. Bill mentions his new infant friend that he found the night before. He introduces Betty to the baby, only for them both to discover that the baby belongs to Betty. They both decide to give thievery up and return everything they stole to live happily together as a family.

The Boyhood of Burglar Bill

''The Boyhood of Burglar Bill'' by Allan Ahlberg was published in 2007. It is a middle-grade novel principally about football and friendship set in a Midland town in 1953. It is an autobiographical story rather than a true prequel to the picture book.

Reception

Janet Ahlberg, winner of two Greenaway Medals, received runner-up for ''Burglar Bill'' (1977). The book has received mixed reviews on various online bookstores and websites. Some readers loved the book's charm and unique story, while others did not see it as being morally acceptable for a young child to read, as the subject of burglary is taken fairly light-heartedly without serious consequences.

Fan adaptations

A university project that instructed the recreation of a children's book as a short animated film used ''Burglar Bill'' as its subject. It was uploaded to YouTube by user Mgcmodels and titled "Burglar Bill Animation.avi". The video has attracted nearly 60,000 views since its upload on 10 April 2011.

Costume

The striking simplicity of Bill's burgling outfit – a black mask and cap and a striped shirt – has made Burglar Bill a popular party or Halloween costume choice.

Buckingham Palace

Burglar Bill, played by Bradley Walsh, put in an appearance at the

Children's Party at the Palace The Children's Party at the Palace was an event organised by Peter Orton of Hit Entertainment and David Johnstone of DJI consult, held in the Garden at Buckingham Palace on 25 June 2006 in honour of the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The ...

, a celebration of British children's literature held in Buckingham Palace Garden in 2006 in honour of the Queen's 80th birthday.

Another Burglar Bill

''Burglar Bill'' was a mock recitation piece written by

F. Anstey Thomas Anstey Guthrie (8 August 1856 – 10 March 1934) was an English author (writing as F. Anstey), most noted for his comic novel ''Vice Versa'' about a boarding-school boy and his father exchanging identities. His reputation was confirmed b ...

for the satirical magazine '' Punch, or the London Charivari''. With some other pieces it was published in 1888 as ''Burglar Bill, and other pieces for the young reciter''.''Burglar Bill, and other pieces for the young reciter''
at the Open Library The piece tells the story of a burglar interrupted in his work by a lisping little girl who asks him to force open the stuck door of her doll's house. Moved by her friendliness, he does this, forgetting about the jewels he has come to steal, and is rewarded with a damson tartlet before escaping.

References

{{Portal , Children's literature 1977 children's books British picture books Characters in children's literature Fictional burglars