My Granny Is a Pirate Paperback – July 5, 2012

Descripción

From School Library Journal K-Gr 2-After swearing readers to secrecy, the narrator of this slight offering reveals his family secret. In uneven verse, he tells of his grandmother's cabin-girl origins, and how her fierce reputation grew until "every other pirate feared/she'd capture their ship too." Granny's typical piratical habits are detailed-making the crew swab the decks, walk the planks, etc. Then things get confusing, as the woman rows for shore, changes into her granny clothes in a dark cavern, and follows a secret passageway to a ruined castle. There, she runs into a band of marauding skeletons that are after her gold. Fortunately, she beats them into dust with her handbag, and the story ends happily. Several flaws combine to sink this book. The verse doesn't scan in some places, which makes the text read awkwardly. Additionally, there are verb inconsistencies that lead to confusion about the sequence of events. Finally, the muddy cartoon illustrations do little to enhance the lackluster text. There are several richer choices in the piratical picture-book world, including Melinda Long's How I Became a Pirate (2003) and Mem Fox's Tough Boris (1994, both Harcourt).-Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MDα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Read more Review A jolly doggerel that children will love... vibrant and energetic.―Birmingham PostLively, jolly and colourful.―School LibrarianJaunty nautical fun.―Financial TimesInfectiously readable... delightful.―ObserverHighly recommended.―GuardianFull of her characteristically wicked humour. Delightfully funny characterisations. A rollicking tale full of lusty energy. * * * *―Books for KeepsEnormous fun, rollicking along with great energy.―Daily MailCrime writer Val McDermid has turned her hand most effectively to her first picture book.―School LibrarianBrilliantly illustrated, young pirate fans will love this rhyming tale of a swashbuckling grandmother.―Sunday ExpressArthur Robins's illustrations mix humour with an occasional touch of mild menace.―Independent on Sunday Read more See all Editorial Reviews