The Robber Hotzenplotz Hardcover – Illustrated, May 10, 2016

I grew up reading this book in Germany. I was thrilled to find an English translation that I could read to my kids. The adventures of Kasperl and Seppel are still highly entertaining, exciting and funny at the same time. My kids couldn't get enough of it. I'd recommend it for kids ages 6-9, although some timid six-year-olds might find the story too suspenseful in places, while some very mature nine-year-olds (who are already reading middle school level books) might find it too child-like. As an adult, I still immensely enjoyed myself while reading it to my ten-year-olds, and they loved the book too!There is, of course, the robber, an evil sorcerer, and don't forget about Grandmother's musical coffee mill! The author pokes fun at German police officers, and there are many surprises and plot twists for young audiences.

I read this after enjoying "Krabat" by the same author. "The Robber Hotzenplotz" unfortunately, is written for much younger readers, as a look at the cover might suggest. I can still enjoy children's books, but I didn't find this one particularly clever or amusing, though evidently many readers do. For the age level this book is written I would look first to Roald Dahl or L. Frank Baum.

I read The Robber Hotzenplotz to my grandkids and they thoroughly loved this book. This is the second book I have read to them from this author. The kids are enthralled by his imaginative, playful, magical stories. I'm a fan as well.

Another New York Review of Books reprint of a classic. This was the book we read when all of the cousins got together this summer. Fun, funny clever and oh so exciting! The grands, six to ten in range, gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up!

The original German version was one of my childhood's highlights - now I can read the English and German version to my son to teach him German.

If your kids love slightly quirky storylines, and love-ably klutzy characters, then they will absolutely adore this book. My 7 year old daughter wouldn't put it down. We had to take it away from her so she would fall asleep at night. Still, she read it in two days. A record for her.

While the book is meant for German speakers learning English, just be aware it was translated by someone who is quite apparently not a native speaker of English.

Love this very accurate translation of the book. Such a cute and funny book for kids in elementary school.

The adventures of the robber Hotzenplotz were an instant success, both with my five-and-a-half-year-old son and his mother. I wasn't familiar with Preussler's work, but a Spanish friend recommended the books as his childhood favorites, so I bought this one. We (I) cannot get enough of it. It is the first novel-length book that I read with my son, and he was riveted from beginning to end, which is amazing given the shorter attention span at this age. My walls are covered with Hotzenplotz lookalikes now... A final word, on the English translation: The translation is really good, and the language is natural and varied.

A great book. Bought to read to my son because I fondly remember my teacher reading it to me and my class when I was about 6. A funny adventure. Good for reading practice, especially for the young or those who first language is not English

This series is an absolute winner. Adults and children are gripped by these wonder filled tales. Why though only one English translation available?

Very entertaining book . My 5 year old grandson loves it!

I loved this book as a child. As I grew up in Germany I wasn't sure how it would translate into English, but I bought it for my 8 year old goddaughter and I had to read her the whole book on a hot summers day - it was more popular than the paddling pool. Says something for the book! I was exhausted - she was happy ....