Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Pirates

  • Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates

    Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates

    Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates along with Mark Bradley, have come up with a brilliant graphic novel that is an adventure, but lots and lots more than that as it addresses the issues of friendship, expectation, anger, distress and fun. It also looks at acceptance of others needs as well as your own, all for little people who often struggle with a vast range of feelings.

    Bumble and Snug are the best of friends but very different people. Bumble likes a life of high adventure, always wanting to be busy, whereas Snug is quieter, likes to take things slowly and is always there to take part in Bumbles latest adventure, in this case, which is the first of many adventures hopefully: Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates

    But on this particular day and in this particular adventure things do not go a planned, as the Pirates as you know can be a narky, nasty bunch and these pirates are no exception. They do not take to kindly to Bumble and Snug interfering in their lives and cause a huge heap of problems for the unlikely pair and an octopus, who gets very much tangled up in the story!

    Bumble has caused a lot of the problems by not listening to the good advice offered by Snug, then of course they both get angry but have to find a way through, to be able to finish their epic adventure and get home in time for bed.

    Bold bright colours, lots of little sections that underline the learning built into the story, a terrific bio to introduce the pirate crew and of course their Captain adds a novel twist.

    Fun filled adventure ends with a lovely little worksheet, then some helpful hints to be able to draw your won Bumble and Snug adventure as well, of course the Bubbops, who live in Bugbopolis where the adventure beings and ends.

    Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates is an excellent book that presents with flair a fresh way of connecting emotion with learning that is non-confrontational, leaves room for discussion and also has a lot of rollicking good fun built in.

    Can’t wait for their next adventure, can you!

  • This is NOT a Book!

    This is NOT a Book!

    Right from the first page This is NOT a book is filled with completely fantastic words and pictures as our anti-hero tries to convince not only himself, but you that this is not a book, because he is real and if he was not there surely would pages to turn, and there are NOT!

    Even if there was, things would happen and nothing is happening. There needs to be a focus, a time and place; events need to actually happen to make a story but of course there is nothing happening, which really makes him wonder how he can breathe underwater and then find he is floating in space, because he is real and of course if this is the case, these things can’t happen.

    It is not until be really lands in trouble with a gang of pirates and some seriously upset mermaids, he begins to think that, seriously what is going on. All he has to do is think about something and he is there, right in the middle of an adventure, but as he is real, how can this be so!

    Fun filled and totally quirky, the hidden story inside this book is how to write a book of your own; title, pages, character, adventure, plot, action and words, except he finally realises that something is missing, but what could that be?

    Marvellously entertaining This is NOT a book from Kellie Byrnes is a very clever non-fiction fiction, if that makes sense, that teaches about book construction while telling a totally hilarious tale of denial filled with fun. Aska has once again created some larger than text illustrations to add to the fun, so make very sure that you check out the pictures to really discover all about the book that is not a book!

    Have fun!

  • Pirate Stew

    Pirate Stew

    Pirate Stew, like all good stews has been a long time in the making, allowed to sit and gather flavour since its inception in 2009, when Neil Gaiman scribbled a few line of poetry, or perhaps mental musings, down on a scrap of paper, placing the scrap in his wallet where it remained for many years, with bits and piece being added to the ‘stew’ over time.

    When his son turned two, the scrap of paper containing the ingredients for the stew was finally, with the help of kitchen assistant Chris Riddell, turned into the rollicking, zany, seriously funny, posturing bedlam Pirate Stew, perfect for every would be pirate, or serious pirate, ever to sail the seas, or maybe the kitchen, which in this case is most important.

    Rhyming text courtesy of Long John McRon, Ships cook and his pirate mates who turn up to babysit one little boy and his sister when their parents go out for the night, but they are not just any babysitters, as they are a little wild and weird, and really have no idea what to feed the children for dinner.

    They offered such treats as beans on toast, but there was no bread, spaghetti was off as it looked like  worms and seemed to be too complicated, and so the list went on until one of the Pirates decides the thing to do is make Pirate Stew, but the stew turned out to be like no other, because………..

    From this point on the wonderful world of Pirates, madcap mayhem and fun takes over with an amazing adventure to be had by all, as somehow, actually pirate magic is involved here, the house turns into a flying pirate ship, with rum, and treasure and so much fun.

    Designed to engage the imagination and encourage word play, as well as tell a very engaging story about favourites in the book world of imagination, Pirates, Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell have delivered a spectacular story, beautifully presented as a hard cover with dust jacket, any Pirate, budding or otherwise would love to read and own, as let’s face it Pirate stories never ever lose their charm, and can be read, and read and read, over and over again.

  • We’re Going on a Treasure Hunt

    We’re Going on a Treasure Hunt

    Martha Mumford and Laura Hughes are back with their latest rollicking good adventure, We’re going On A Treasure Hunt with a boat load of pirates, which turns out to be a huge amount of fun, as there are some wonderful discoveries made under secret flaps to intrigue all little readers.

    Counting the many treasures to be discovered as the pages turn by lifting the very tempting flaps to help the pirates, well maybe not so helpfully, find all 10 of the golden coins they are seeking, adds a sneaky learning aspect to the story as well; as you would expect from pirates! Along the way they meet a pod of dolphins who try to capsize their little tiny boat, and then a colony of little crabs think pinching the pirate’s toes is a very funny thing to do.

    Monkeys join in as only monkeys can, by dropping coconuts on the treasure hunting pirates and trying to shoo them off their Island.  Somewhere of course there is a very toothy shark and a number of very loud parrots to be discovered.

    Counting, seeking and a lovely rollicking style of text come together to make We’re going On A Treasure Hunt a book full of fun, adventure and lots of noisy bedtime reading for beginner readers and younger who love, love, love a great pirate story.

    Well, after all  who does not love a very good, very noisy pirate story!

  • Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell: Monty’s Island 1

    Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell: Monty’s Island 1

    Monty’s’ Island is the first in a new series from popular children’s author Emily Rodda, which creates an entirely new world, a slightly bonkers new world, focusing on an Island and magic that goes often terribly, funnily wrong!

    Now of course the Island is magic, and of course magic things do happen there as well; the characters are larger than life, with a real-life monster called Hairy Horrible who hunts at night and lives in the jungle.

    On this particular day, when all seems well, normal almost for the Island, a sliver streak is making its ways across the ocean to Monty’s Island with some startling news, that of the fearful pirate Captain Scary Mary and her awful crew. They are out on their pirate ship looking far and wide for a new Island to live on, as they have made such a terrible mess of theirs, and as everyone knows Scary Mary simply can’t read maps, so she could accidently find her way to Monty’s Island, which of course she does!

    But thanks to some gone wrong magic from Bunchy and the little black box with a silver topped wand, found on the shore by Monty, a large pink flamingo blown ashore and some very amazing stripes, things could get very messy indeed.

    Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell Monty’s Island 1 along with some fantastical cartoon illustration, has created a great chapter book for young readers which will capture their imagination and see them sailing the seas in search of Monty’s Island.

  • Go, Go, Pirate Boat

    Go, Go, Pirate Boat

    Perfect for the preschool age group, this new singing storybook from Katarina Charman and Nick Sharratt, Go, Go, Pirate Boat is sung to the tune, or can be sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, which is great fun!

    Of course, Pirates, a life on the ocean wave and buried treasure is a sure recipe for success at any age, and when bold, bright and cheerful looking pirates are added, the adventure is even more fun. Large word format is very helpful for developing readers, and the bold cartoon style graphics are simple and enjoyable.

    The actions these pirates are carrying out could also be used to create the motions of a day on a pirate ship during the singing, such as hoisting the sail, raising the anchor and holding on tight during a storm at sea. There is also a very curious whale who comes to see what all those naughty, noisy, pirates are doing!

    But like all naughty pirates they still have to be home in time for tea, or else they may have to walk the plank.

    From the first page Go, Go Pirate Boat is a riot of fun, activity and storytelling which will captivate and be enjoyed time and time again, all-be-it in a very noisy manner.

  • Pirate Pug The Dog Who Rocked the Boat

    Pirate Pug The Dog Who Rocked the Boat

    Oh Dear, it looks like Pug could be in some serious trouble if Lady Miranda goes ahead planning a holiday by the seaside. Not that Pug minds holidays, quite the opposite in fact, he just does not like the seaside. There is water there, something he is not at all fond of, but Lady Miranda, being Lady Miranda, is sure Pug will absolutely love it!And so off they go have a happy time at the seaside staying at the Smugglers Rest Hotel in their very best suite. Pug is trying to wake Lady Miranda up to go and find some breakfast when Wendy, Lady Mirandas housekeeper, arrives with a lovely tray for freshly baked jam tarts, Pugs favourite breakfast treat, as well as lady Miranda’s.
    But just as they are about to have their breakfast there is a very loud SQUAWK and a very large parrot landed in the room, eyed off the jam tarts and then flies out of the window with a silver tea spoon in its beak!
    It turns out the parrot’s name is Rio and he is owned by the owner of the hotel, Mr Gregory. He also likes bright shiny things and is pretty good a pinching them and flying away, which is bad but not so bad as the day he pinches the Mayors Chain of Office and takes it to Finders Keepers Island, an island that was once the home of a ferocious band of Pirates.
    This island has a legend and superstition attached to it which also involves the Mayor chain and if things go very wrong, the Pirates may well come back to Pebbly Bay and make terrible, terrible, pirate trouble for everyone.
    Lady Miranda takes on the task of finding the Mayors Chain, which sees poor Pug have to take to the ‘high’ seas in a raft and possibly even have to walk the plank!
    Join Pug in his latest adventure, Pirate Pug: The Dog Who Rocked the Boat and see just how Pug overcomes his fear and saves the day.
    Once again, a ripping great adventure from Laura James, with fantastic illustrations from Eglantine Ceulemans as they, along with Pug and Lady Miranda, take to the high seas in search of adventure.

  • Treasure of the Golden Skull

    Treasure of the Golden Skull

    The combination of a fertile imagination for tales of terror and an artist’s skills, give Chris Priestley’s books massive appeal for young readers. This book is the second told in Maudlin Towers School and shares main characters with the other story in the series, creating a familiar feel. The setting is a boy’s Boarding School, with the characters Mildew and Sponge as the protagonists who are well known for their problem- solving abilities, and their desire to help fight for the cause of good.

    The Principal of the school knows of the boys’ heroic deeds and confides in them that the Governors of the school want it closed down, as it is falling into disrepair. From this point on, the story takes the most remarkable turns. Part of the Principal’s office falls down, and the timbers are covered with barnacles. It is here we learn that there is a connection with pirates and buried treasure that can save the school. However, to find the treasure, one needs to find the map, and as it has been destroyed, the only way that can happen, of course, is by using a time machine.

    With superb humour, delightful characters, such as Sir Brashley Bugle, a military man, and Toothless Dave, the pirate, there is much to chuckle about as the reader follows the story. There are clues to follow of course, but when the Pirates invade the school, and masquerade as teachers, and draw pistols and cutlasses to enforce lessons, the boys realise they must act quickly.

    There are so many interesting side issues here, such as giant eyeballs, werewolves and riddles to be solved, that each page is exciting. Together with the detailed illustrations breaking up the text, and the easy reading of the story, this book has a huge appeal for the independent reader. Lots of fun and laughter in this story.

  • The Deep 1 Dragon Rider

    The Deep 1 Dragon Rider

     

    Dragon Rider is a follow-on from the ABC TV series, THE DEEP, which was based on the Graphic Novel created by James Brouer. This is an action packed, fast moving story which features the Nekton family. The parents and two children are underwater explorers, and the sea is their home. The submarine which they live in has many features to help them accomplish missions on which they are sent. Ant and his sister Fontaine have learned many skills and are carefully trained in safety by their parents.

    The story begins with Ant having some free time. He decides to explore a kelp forest that their ship has just spotted. The young boy has a special suit which he dons, and with the help of an engine built into the suite, swims towards the kelp. As the kelp sways to and fro with the current, a mound of sand is disturbed. Curious, Ant brushes at the sand with his hand and comes up with a metal, circular disk. He is amazed at his find and quickly returns to the Aronax, the submarine where they live.

    His family are amazed at the ancient markings on the disc. As they are sailing along it becomes obvious that there is a problem with the submarine’s steering. They are caught in a net which has been spread by a pirate. It is the children’s job to get into the small craft on the ship, and free the net from their propeller. They do this, but not without meeting the pirate, who catches sight of the ancient disc which Ant has brought with him. This is to cause many anxious moments later on.

    When the children are back on board, the radio crackles with a message from the head of the Worldwide Oceanic Association. There is a disturbance in the South China Sea, and they want the Nekton family to investigate and resolve the issue. On the old map the family have, the area seems to be close to a place called the Dragon Hole. But everyone knows there are no dragons now ……?

    Dragon Rider is an enjoyable adventure story with the feel of a computer game. As Ant and his sister move from one situation to another it is like they are manipulating the controls. There are so many possibilities and so many adventures to be explored that you can’t help but turn the pages.

     

  • David Astle’s Gargantuan Book of Words

    David Astle’s Gargantuan Book of Words

    Well, here we go again, leaping into the unknown, the challenging and the downright incredible word of words as you have never ever known them before, or in some cases, with those really tricky words, never even realised they existed.

    Take the word Gargantuan for example – well perhaps you better read just how this word came about, which is of course right at the beginning of this book, as it not at all what you might think. In fact you could say it is a coined word from so very long ago, perhaps even before dinosaurs!

    In this latest mind exploding work from David Astle, he sets the challenge on every page, supposedly for children and young people, but this older person is challenged as well on some of the pages, well many of the pages to be exact, as one should be in this instance, which makes this book suitable for more than just the younger members of the family.  Note to parents and grandparents; don’t let the kids know this, but just sneak off with it while they are not looking!

    Each of the pages deals with a different word or set of words, disguised as puzzles, word games, quizzes and secret codes. There is even selfie slang!

    There are pack animals, Rare Creatures, a Bali Bain Game, a sort of Minecraft with words, and even jigsaw puzzles which will really get the brain working. And for those children of that particular age where everything is bottom related, there is plenty there to keep them amused with Poophemisms and Chunderdome to begin with as well as meeting a farty astronaut! Phew!

    You may well wonder What is the Point, but there is plenty of point, as each of the amazing pages in this fun workbook, teaches children to have fun with an incredibly complex language, creates hours of challenging undertakings which has absolutely nothing to do with computers, and is a huge and fantastic way to learn something that perhaps, maybe, you just never wanted to know, but now do anyway.

    So take a journey into the wild side of the English language and have a ball! Err, maybe there is a better word than that somewhere in the dictionary or even in this book, but whatever, have an entertaining, enjoyable, amusing, exciting and pleasingly, great time.  Oh, just simply have fun!

    Race you to the end page!