Cops and Robbers

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London succumbs to a crime wave on Christmas Eve. Officer Pugh uses excessive force to apprehend the conspirators leaving one, identified as Grabber Dan, unconscious after a blow to the head. The robbers of London town plan a desperate crime on Christmas Eve - to steal all the toys they can lay their hands on! Fortunately, the robbers meet their match in brave Officer Pugh who leaps into action and arrests the villains - all except Grandma Swagg who manages to get away. Westlake's cinematic prose and brisk dialogue made his novels attractive to Hollywood, and several motion pictures were made from his books, with stars such as Lee Marvin and Mel Gibson. Westlake wrote several screenplays himself, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of The Grifters, Jim Thompson's noir classic.

Make a list of all of the words used to describe the police and a list of the words used to describe the robbers. This book was a hand-me-down from an older cousin and became an instant hit. Written in verse with the refrain "Ho Ho for the robbers/The cops and the robbers Ho Ho!" which is too catchy and my son used to sing out as loudly as possible. The cover of the book includes pictures of different ‘cops and robbers’. Can you draw your own picture of what a cop / robber might look like? Look at the police officer’s map and give directions (in another language) to help people move from one place to another. Nash Hall's dad is a criminal who just can't seem to go straight. He wants Nash to help him commit a robbery. A big one. The trouble is, Nash's mum is a cop. And the robbery is at Nash's school. But Dad owes a lot of money to some very dangerous people and if Nash doesn't help him do the job, it could cost both their lives.

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This is an odd Westlake. He attempted to write a more literary novel, giving the main characters an interior reflection repeatedly through out the novel. Tom and Joe are New York City policemen. They are also planning a grand heist that should net them two million dollars. But they have to outwit the Mob to keep the money and their lives.

Look at the list of the things that the robbers took on Christmas Eve (found in the illustration showing the Street Map). Find out the approximate value of each item. What is the total value of the items stolen? Condition: Very Good. Re-issue. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Donald Westlake was a national treasure. He wrote more than one hundred novels and I doubt if there is a dud among them. This one is a stand-alone and while not funny, I suspect you'll have a grin on your face at the end, as did I. Donald Westlake paints a satirical picture of two ordinary men, frustrated with their ordinary lives. As they are ordinary men they are easy to like. When they start to take on the might of both Wall Street and the Mafia you will find yourself rooting for them, the underdogs.

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This is beautifully written and catchy children’s book. The verse flows well and this traditional cops and robbers story is entertaining. Will this gang of robbers who are terrorising London ruin Christmas or can the upstanding Officer Pugh save the day? As well as the fun story and the lyrical verse, the numerous illustrations are excellent and an integral part of the story, make sure to keep your eye on them towards the end! Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments

When the two disillusioned policemen start their well-planned heist their scheme starts to unravel. The suspense is unbearable. My nerves couldn’t take it. I had to put the book down and make a cup of tea.Draw a plan view of each floor in the police station based on the illustration in the book. What rooms are in the building? This was my first Donald Westlake and after looking him up, I found he’s written quite a few books and many more under under several pseudonyms. About a dozen of them fall into this “comic crime novels” category which, by modern standards is not comedy; just two real guys behaving in real ways while going through their normal day (and night) shifts.