The Three Crooks
Pirayeh Yaghmaii
David Mackintosh
Hodder Headline 2004
79pp., pbk., $10.95
073361809X
This book is one of the many available in the Hotshots series.
Hassan B is a crook, but he likes to help less fortunate people by tricking others. He uses his tricks and lies about three crooks who have already robbed poor people.
The story gets you in right from the beginning when you meet Hassan B and Hector, his loyal donkey, wandering around the countryside. It is humorous and illustrator David Mackintosh adds to this with the comical looks on the characters’ faces. The reader sees these expressions right from the outset on the front cover and knows that this book will be very different.
I didn’t feel sorry for the crooks, even when they were beaten at their own game. That just made the story funnier and more convincing. The characters were quite real enough in that they made mistakes like we do. They help us to realize that it is not good to rip people off and this sort of dishonesty catches up with you.
I would like to see teachers read this funny story aloud as children from 6 to 10 years of age would enjoy it.
Jack (9 years) Bayside Brisbane
Hassan B travelled all over the land on his donkey, Hector, helping people and telling them stories of his adventures. People always gathered to listen and invited him into their homes.
One day he meets a poor old man who has a very sad story to tell about how he has been cheated by three crooks. Hassan B decides to help the old man by tricking the crooks and the next day, he goes to the marketplace to put his plan into action.
The crooks fell for the trick at first, but after three days, when they realised they had been fooled, they set off after Hassan. But again Hassan fools them, and again, three days later they set off to find him and demand their money back. For a third time, Hassan is able to fool them and take their money. Will the crooks get the message and leave him alone?
This is a very different book that reads like an old folktale but it has some very modern and funny twists. The ending was excellent. The pictures really add to the story, especially if you look at the facial expressions.
I really enjoyed it and I am sure other children who like the Hotshots series will too.
Sawitta, 9, Port Augusta, SA
One day Hassan B. decided that he and Hector would play a trick on the three crooks. When nobody was looking Hassan B. shoved some coins up Hector’s backside and it was time for trick number one to commence.
The story continues with Hassan B. and his clever donkey being able to beat the three crooks at their own game and teaching them a well deserved lesson.
I would recommend this book to an audience of my age ( 11 years). I enjoyed this book because it is exciting, funny and keeps you in suspense often.
Shannon Year 6 Bundaberg.
