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"The Three Robbers" by Tomi Ungerer (classic children's book re-issued by Phaidon) Easter 2009

From:     Harry Pye
Category: Books
Date:     04 April 2009
Time:     04:30 PM

Review:

The Three Robbers is an award winning book written and illustrated beautifuly by Tomi Ungerer. 
When I first read this book I was just a little boy. The book had already been available for 15 years or 
so. My copy was a small paperback version my mum had found in a jumble sale. In the late 70's there 
was a children's magazine style show called Tizwas. The show had severa presenters such as Christ 
Tarrent and Lenny Henry. Sometimes they were joined by a shadowy figure known only as, The 
Phanton Flan Flinger. The Three Robbers reminded me of him a little as they were dark and 
mysterious with just the whites of the eyes visable. For some reason the Three Robbers also 
reminded me of the animated title sequence at the beginning of The Pink Panther films.The white text 
on black pages was slightly unusual and there were a number of touches employed by the artist that 
seemed very unique. Little things like the pattern on the hat caught my eye, Ungerer has a great 
attention for detail. All the robbers had a weapon. One had a blunderbuss, another had a pepper 
blower and the other a huge red axe. One of my favourite books as a child was a collection of poems 
illustrated by Ungerer called, "Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls". I was a beastly boy who often spent 
sunday mornings captring bumble bees in jam jars and watching them suffocate. I can also remember 
the evil joy of pouring salt on slugs and snails and watching them shrivel up. I also liked stealing things 
and hiding them in secret places. Observing The Three Robbers smash up the wheels on stage 
coaches and blowing pepper in the eyes of horses was funny. They felt like kindred spirits. It seemed 
refreshing for an adult to be include such wickedness in a children's book. Some people believe that 
violent people are missunderstood. Ian Dury said once that he was never convinced by violent men. 
He believed that everyone deep down wants the world to be a better place. Those full of frustration 
and aggression only need a little bit of attention, respect or kindness to get them back to normal. I 
don't know how true that is, but maybe I just want to believe it. There's another saying, I can't 
remember it exactly, but it's along the lines of - don't be surprised when the children who aren't given 
enough warmth use your house to make fires of their own. So, back to the book... When an Orphan 
called Tiffany meets the Three Robbers it's the first time they've ever experienced the feeling 
someone is pleased to see them and it brings about a change in them.The Three Robbers changed 
my life because it made me want to draw. I used to trace pictures from comics and books and do 
drawings of my own, but Tomi Ungerer's style of drawing attracted me so much I actually 
concentrated on copying it. Someone told me in Japan that the word "copy" is the same as "to learn". 
I don't know if that's true either but it kind of makes sense if it is.
Phaidon Press are re publishing many of Tomi's classic works. They hope that a new audience of 
readers will grow to love his work alongside many people like me who are fans of his already. This 
timeless tale of redemption is perfection from beginning to end. Tomi's drawings are just wonderful. 
This book is a must for people alive today - steal your copy from Borders tomorrow!


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