Book A-hoy! The Ish Mother has swashbuckled herself a copy of debut author, David Crosby’s picture book, called Pirates Vs. Monsters! with illustrations by Lee Cosgrove.
Do you have a child who likes to tell tall tales? I think most children go through this stage, whether it’s a case of their imagination running away with them or wanting to sound braver, cooler or better off than they actually are. ‘Pirates vs Monsters’ tackles this issue in a funny and child-friendly way. It begins with three pirates trading stories about terrible monsters they have defeated, each trying to outdo the others.But while they boast of their beastly battles, a mysterious fog is drifting in, and with it a ship with a very scary crew …
You can probably guess what happens next, but it reveals that the pirates were not as successful at vanquishing their monster foes as they claimed to be!
This is a great book for talking about how other people’s boasts may not be all they seem, a useful conversation to have with younger schoolchildren! We’ve all had to tell our kid that little Jimmy probably doesn’t get to stay up until 11pm playing on his iPhone, right?! But aside from the moral lesson, it’s simply a very fun book for kids who enjoy scary stories. The illustrations are well-pitched – colourful, expressive and with just the right scare factor for young children.
I would say that it might not be the ideal book for more sensitive children or those with a fear of monsters, as (spoiler) the monsters win in the end and the descriptions can be a bit scary, but there are plenty of kids who love a bit of a fright and would really enjoy this book. It would be a fantastic book for Halloween, with the spooky fog creating an eerie atmosphere!
Cheers me hearties!
You can read the full review and more from Bec over on her site, here!
Pirates Vs. Monsters is due to set sail 21st October!