Book Review - P is for Pirate

P is for Pirate: A Pirate Alphabet

By: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: John Manders
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: August 2014
ISBN: 978-1585368150
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: August 2014

Ahoy, matey! There are all kinds of pirates, including Cap’n Crunch, but if you want to really know pirates from A to Z, this book has everything you’ll need. Of course every good pirate needs a cutlass to round out his outfit. “C is for Cutlass (and other weapons) / A cutlass, pistol, grappling hook, / a sharp and wicked knife. / These are all a pirate needs / to lead a pirate life.” If you’re wondering whether or not the good old Cap’n on the cereal box knows a captain whose last name starts with a K, it’s rather unlikely. Captain William Kidd was someone who began his life of crime on the high seas in the 1600s.

If you think all pirates were men, think again. There was one little gal who could plunder the high seas with the best of them. “Q is for Queen of the Pirates, Grace O’Malley / she was the Queen of Pirates, / as brave as anyone. / she could wield a cutlass, / She could shoot a gun.” Yep, she was quite an unusual gal in her time! Yo-ho-ho, did you know that “X is for X Marks the Spot?” There are lots of pirate treasures in the book and you can watch a few of them as they bury that loot on the beach. There are all kinds of pirates in literature and in the movies. Do you have a favorite? Wait, do I see Black Bart under B?

This is a fun, fabulous alphabet book about everything “pirate.” Eve Bunting has just the right formula to make youngsters want to learn all about them through her impeccable verse. I probably learned a few things myself in the process. Each verse is accompanied by a sidebar with a “real” historical vignette about each lettered item. For example when we check out “J is for the Jolly Roger,” we learn all about its meaning and possible origin of the name. The artwork pops and has great kid appeal with its humorous overtones. P is for Pirate is the perfect addition to the shelves of anyone interested in pirates and life on the high seas!

Quill says: Any youngster who has taken a fancy to pirates and their life of crime on the high seas will love this book!

Book Review - Frog and Friends

Frog and Friends: Frog Saves the Day

By: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: Jose Masse
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: September 2013
ISBN: 978-1585368105
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: October 2013

Racoon was all upset. Very upset as a matter of fact and he went off to Frog to talk to him about it. Racoon was having trouble sleeping and told Frog “Every night a big, big, big noise wakens me.” Just what could that be? Every time it happened Racoon had to hide because it was so, so scary. No, it wasn’t thunder but sounded just like it. Frog had to think about what to do and he thought very, very hard. “You and I,” he said to Racoon, “and our friends will go together and find out what it is. It is better to face up to what frightens you.” And so they would do just that.

The next night Frog and his friends, including Racoon, went off to find out just what that noise was. Possum, Squirrel, Chameleon, Rabbit, and Little Jumping Mouse didn’t hear anything strange, but Racoon told them to wait. “It will make your fur stand on end,” she declared. All of a sudden Frog and friends’ eyes grew wide as they heard a very loud and very scary sound. “Raaaaaaaaaaa-cla cla cla!” Everyone was very, very frightened and Possum’s hair certainly stood on end. What could that very, very horrible, scary sound possibly be?

Once again Frog and his friends get together in a couple of very humorous stories young readers will love. Of course that very, very horrible, scary sound was none other than a people eating train that was a “ferocious dragon.” In the second tale in this beginning chapter book, Frog saves the day by jumping into swirling waters in an attempt to save Possum’s wayward youngster, Baby Five. Newly independent and confident readers can tackle this book alone or with a minimum of assistance with more difficult words such as “frightens.” The artwork, combined with the exciting, humorous tales with Frog and his friends, has high appeal that young readers are definitely drawn to. Appropriate for grades 1 to 2.

Quill says: If you have a young reader who loves a little humor and adventure, the Frog and Friends series has just the recipe for fun!