and... and... and...

In this slapstick, illustrated crime adventure, the honest Theo Pincher, who doesn't fit in to his family of criminals, finds himself suddenly on the other side of the law because of an ancient curse. Theo and Ellen accidentally break an ancient cat statue in the antique store. When they tell their mother, Nic, she turns pale. It must have been the statue that ruined the life of their ancestor Nab Pincher! The curse of the Egyptian cat turns thieves into honest people and honest people into thieves. Nab met a terrible fate for a Pincher--he became a police officer. Now suddenly Ellen can't lie and Theo is becoming a criminal.

The first in a funny chapter book crime series about a well-behaved child who doesn't fit in to his family of criminals--featuring a prison break, a diamond heist, and a lie that saves the day.Theo is good at most things. He can almost count to a thousand, knows several French words, and can operate the washing machine. But he can't lie or steal."You must try harder," says his mother sternly.The Pincher Family love to steal things. It's what they are born for! When his parents leave to visit the diamond exhibition, Theo's heart sinks. After breaking Grandma out of prison (his little sister needs someone to read her bedtime story), Theo sees no alternative but to stop his parents stealing the diamond. His shout of "Stop! Police!" brings them only delight--Theo's lie has shown he is a true Pincher.A mix of adventure, silliness, and everyday family life, and with bright and funny illustrations, this is a perfect chapter book for beginning and reluctant readers.