Pre-order
1
of
1
The Real Thief
Series: Pushkin Children’s Classics
Brief Description
The Real Thief tells the story of Gawain, a kind, honest goose who carries out his duties as Chief Guard of the Royal Treasury with the utmost care. But when the treasure starts to disappear, Gawain is found guilty of a crime he did not commit....
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1899
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
5th
January 2027
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "The Real Thief" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Real Thief
$1899
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
Vanya Insull (aka VJ Cooks) visits Book Hero
We were lucky to have a visit from popular foodie, home cook and baker Vanya...
Is the newest Jack Reacher one of the best?
Our favourite crime solving, bad guy beating nomad is back and Lizzy and Edd were...
Heartstopper's Alice Oseman visits Book Hero
We were so excited to have Alice come to visit Hero HQ, as huge fans...
Shirl and Lizzy Review The Starving Bride
Catherine Chidgey does it again with another incredible novel that will have people talking for...
New Releases to add to your TBR this week (19th October)
One of my favourite sci-fi authors has a new book that I cannot wait to...
See morePart of the new Pushkin Children's Classics series of thrilling, magical and inspiring stories from around the world, which young readers will return to time and again.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
The Real Thief tells the story of Gawain, a kind, honest goose who carries out his duties as Chief Guard of the Royal Treasury with the utmost care. But when the treasure starts to disappear, Gawain is found guilty of a crime he did not commit.
As the poor goose suffers in exile, the real thief realises that he has done an awful wrong. But does he have what it takes to confess? And can he clear Gawain's name in time to restore harmony to the kingdom?
Series: Pushkin Children’s Classics
View all-
The Parent Trap
Luise has ringlets. Lottie has braids. Apart from that they look exactly the same. But they are sure that they have never set eyes on each other in their lives.When the two girls meet at a summer camp and discover the secret behind their similarity, they decide to switch places. Everyone is fooled (apart from the dog) and, despite a...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Dot and Anton
Dot and Anton is a whimsical tale of friendship and adventure. Dot loves play-acting, dressing up her pet dachshund Piefke, and making up words like 'splentastic'. Her best friend, Anton, lives in a little apartment and looks after his mother. They share a secret—each night, when their parents think they are asleep, they sell matches and shoelaces on the streets...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Flying Classroom
'Walter Trier's deceptively innocent drawings are as classic as Kästner's words; I never tire of them' Quentin Blake 'Atmospheric... bittersweet... a memorable exploration of bravery, boyhood and friendships' Wall Street Journal Martin's school is not the ordinary kind. There are snowball fights, kidnappings, cakes, a parachute jump, a mysterious man who lives in a railway carriage, and a play about...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Goldsmith and the Master Thief
Laurenzo and Jiacomo are identical twins, as alike as two drops of water. No one can tell them apart (which comes in very handy for playing tricks on their teachers). And no one can split them up.But when tragedy strikes their carefree young lives, they must make their own way in the world. As each brother chooses his own path...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Secret of the Blue Glass
In a dusty library, in the quietest corner of a house in Tokyo, live the Little People: Fern, Balbo, Robin and Iris. Just a few inches high, sleeping in cigarette boxes and crafting shoes from old book jackets, they need only one thing from their Humans - a nightly glass of milk, served in a sparkling blue glass goblet.But when...Paperback$2499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Song of Seven
Deep in the woods, a young boy is kept prisoner by his uncle. He sees no other children, and has no friends. But he does hold the key to a secret.Meanwhile, in a nearby village, schoolteacher Frans invents stories of perilous deeds, shipwrecks, and haunted castles to entertain his pupils. Then one stormy evening, he is summoned to a clandestine...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Secrets of the Wild Wood
One of the King's most trusted knights has vanished in the snow, so young Sir Tiuri and his best friend Piak must journey into the shadowy heart of the forest to find him. The Wild Wood is a place of mysteries, rumours and whispered tales. A place of lost cities, ancient curses, robbers, princesses and Men in green. As the...Paperback$4800Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
The Letter for the King
A young messenger. A secret mission. A kingdom in peril. When Tiuri answers a desperate call for help, he finds himself on a perilous mission that could cost him his life. He must deliver a secret letter to the King who lives across the Great Mountains—a letter upon which the future of the entire realm depends. It means abandoning his...Paperback$4800Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
Detective Nosegoode Investigates
In the sleepy town of Lower Limewood lives famous detective Ambrosius Nosegoode. These days he enjoys a quiet retirement with his faithful companion Cody—a dog remarkable in many ways, not least because he can talk! But even cosy Lower Limewood has its secrets. When a series of puzzling crimes occur, it's up to Nosegoode and Cody to investigate! Join the...Paperback$4600Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
The King of the Copper Mountains
At the end of his thousand-year rule over the Copper Mountains, old King Mansolain is tired and his heart is slowing down. When his attendant, the Hare, consults the Wonder Doctor, he is told he must keep the King interested in living by telling him a story every night until the Doctor can find a cure. The search is on...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof
Tibble is a reporter. He only ever writes about cats, and he's about to be fired. Minou is a young woman who has moved into Tibble's flat. She hates dogs, likes rooftops, loves the fishmonger, and happens to have been, until very recently, a cat. With her feline friends listening out for all the local human news, is Minou the...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Swish of the Curtain: Book 1
'I wanted to act before I read this book, and afterwards there was no stopping me' Maggie Smith 'An enchanting book. A must for any child who wants to become an actor' Eileen Atkins In the quiet town of Fenchester, seven children dream of the stage. There is Lyn the actress, Vicky the dancer, Jeremy the musician, Nigel the artist,...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781782695127
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 30 July 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Pushkin Children's Books
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 64
About the Author
William Steig (1907-2003) was an American cartoonist, sculptor and illustrator and writer of children's books. He was also the creator of Shrek!, which inspired the film series of the same name. He was the U.S. nominee for both of the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Awards, as a children's book illustrator in 1982 and a writer in 1988.
Also by William Steig
View all-
Pre-order
Abel's Island
Steig is triumphant in the quality of his prose The New York Times Steig's books are like perfect stones, complete in themselves, with no seams to be found Jon Klassen Abel's Island tells the story of Abel and Amanda, two mice who are blissfully happy. They have been married for over a year and live in a lovely home with...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableOut 4 Dec 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Dominic
Dominic has decided it is time for a change. So, the young dog packs up his hats and his piccolo and sets off into the unknown. But no sooner does he feel the air on his snout and the grass beneath his paws, than he encounters the dreaded Doomsday Gang. Fortunately, Dominic is not one to complain—and nor is he...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableOut 5 Jan 2027Pre-order -
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self makes a story that is beautifully tender and filled with magic. Illustrated...PaperbackSold Out -
Dominic
Dear Friends, I am leaving in rather a hurry to see more of the world, so I have no time to say goodbye to you individually. I embrace you all and sniff you with love. I don't know when I'll be back. But back I will be.Dominic It's time for a change, so Dominic packs his collection of hats and...PaperbackSold Out
More from Children's Books
View all-
New ReleaseFight or Flight: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (21)
When the going gets tough, what’s a wimpy kid to do? In Fight or Flight, Greg Heffley faces his biggest challenge yet as he becomes a target for the school bully. Luckily for Greg, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, takes karate, so at least Greg’s got someone in his corner. But an unexpected twist makes Greg realize he’s facing an uphill...Paperback$1699Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseGruffalo Granny
The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...Hardback$2499Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe Sixth Faction
Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan: she's going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind. But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changes—her world, her...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseDetective Beans Colouring Club
Help Detective Beans solve the case of the missing colours! Join the Colouring Club now! Join the Detective Beans Colouring Club! Inside you'll find 40 removable colouring pages featuring scenes from all over Cat Town. Filled with all the characters you know and love from the Detective Beans graphic novels like Biscuits, Beans' mum, Mr Brickle, Bear, Detective Baby Bird...Paperback$1799Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseWahine
From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....Hardback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseLottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas
From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...Paperback$1799Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
21% offNew ReleaseMatihe! Achoo!
What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...Paperback$1500Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Sweet As Looky Book
Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...Hardback$2299Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips Unknown - Contact Us -
New ReleasePocket Observology
Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...Paperback$2399Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...Paperback$1400Elsewhere:$1499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
15% offNew ReleaseThe Neverfear
A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...Paperback$1700Elsewhere:$2299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseMari the Unwonderful Witch
A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Children's Books lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listChildren's Books
Lizzy's Favourite Kiwi Pukapuka!
Here a huge bunch of incredible books for Kiwi kids of all ages, by amazing Kiwi authors! Including picture books and chapter...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listChildren's Books
Books for Helping Kids with Emotions!
Books are a great way to help children learn about emotions - giving them the language to name and recognize how they...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listChildren's Books
Chapter Books for the Classroom
Looking for some fresh inspiration when it comes to reading to your class? Lizzy has you covered with her chapter book recommendations!View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listChildren's Books
Travel Books for Tamariki
Going on a trip with your children? There are some amazing pukapuka (books) that are perfect for young travelers! Check out this...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listChildren's Books
Lizzy's Favourite Picture Books
A collection of my favourite picture books to read aloud with my child and keep on the bookshelf as a reminder of...View the list
