How Not To Be A Pirate: The Trouble With Curses - Jenny Pearson

 

Wilbur is a rather reluctant pirate and would much rather be in the kitchen than anything else; however, he needs to pass his Level One Pirate Grading.  There's just a couple of problems: he gets seasick and he's afraid of heights!  Both are an issue when he ends up sailing stormy seas with fellow shipmates and Level One candidates Ellie and Gilbert.  With the task of hunting down the greatest treasure ever known, he will need to muster all the courage he can if he is to succeed and stop the curse that threatens to be unleashed.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Jenny's books (a quick scroll through my blog will confirm that) and she's popular in school too; with two visits and a host of books sold, I already know that How Not To Be A Pirate: The Trouble With Curses is going to be in big demand come the start of term.

Shiver me timbers, I love Wilbur! He's torn between being himself and pleasing his father, Captain Woodblack who is at pains to remind Wilbur that he has 'the blood of the world's best pirates' whenever he talks about cooking.  With skills such as spitting, climbing the rigging and sword fighting to master, things are going to be tough for him, especially as he really doesn't think he has what it takes to be a pirate.

This is such a brilliant book and a swashbuckling adventure with laughs as well as thoughtful messaged woven in (something Jenny does so well).  With Paula Bowles distinctive red and black illustrations providing the perfect accompaniment, How Not To Be A Pirate: The Trouble With Curses is the start of what I know will be a fantasticly pirateastic adventure, so grab your doubloons, then batten down the hatches and be prepared to be swept away as soon as the book publishes on the 13th August.

P.S: This would make a brilliant class read aloud novel for the start of term (especially if you enjoy doing voices!!)