'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Review: The Pirates Next Door

Ahoy!
How much money did the pirate pay to get his ear pierced?
A Buck An Ear ! 

*I almost feel like a 'Wokka, wokka, wokka' should follow that.*

I HAD to get my hands on this book. One: it's about pirates and pirates are wicked. Two: Look at those fabulous illustrations. The computer image doesn't quite do justice to the glossy, bright and bold images.

Reader, meet the Jolley-Rogers. They need to stop on land to repair their ship. They need to do this from time to time. The unsuspecting town? Dull-on-Sea. A very quiet town.

The house next to Tilda has been for sale ever since she was a baby. Just who do you think might have moved in? Yep, you guessed it. The Jolley-Rogers. However, Tilda seems to be the only one who is excited. 

The story itself is a beautiful reminder not to judge people by the way they look. The community wants nothing to do with them as they have a different way of life. But Tilda, beautiful Tilda just sees friendship. The rest of the town is too busy jumping to their own conclusions and spreading rumours. 

Though they assume the worst of them, the towns folk are in for a very nice piratey surprise. 

This sequel to The Pirate Cruncher is great fun. Vibrant, bouncy writing written in rhyme together with some slick illustrations make this an absolute winner. In the words of Molly Meldrum "Do yourself a favour" and check this one out. 


Title: The Pirates Next Door Starring the Jolley-Rogers
Author: Jonny Duddle
Publisher: Koala Books, $13.99 RRP
Publication Date: April 2012
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781742760483
For ages: 4-7 years
Type: Picture Book