Pirate stew by Neil Gaiman
Illus. by Chris Riddell. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526614728.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. The glorious front cover has instant
appeal for every reader, as their eyes glance over the array of
characters on the dust jacket. Two startled children at the bottom
of the cover, complete with a stuffed toy, are on either side of a
jolly pirate holding aloft a giant pot. Filling the cover pages are
wonderfully piratical images, which will entrance all readers.
Opening the book, children will see a situation not unfamiliar, that
of Mum and Dad going out and leaving them with a baby sitter. But
what a baby sitter! Long John McRon arrives complete with a rag bag
of cohorts, splendidly attired, all ready to help, but when they
open the fridge to cook tea for the children, find there is nothing
there. So Long John calls out that he will make Pirate Stew, to the
delight of all his friends. Into the pot goes everything piratical
and a bit more besides until they all sit down to eat, the children
careful not to even taste theirs, then the ship develops wings and
off they fly for an adventure. Landing at Sally's Donut Shop sees
lots of cakes consumed and when they return home, Mum and Dad return
as well. Then a twist in the tale makes everyone laugh at the end of
a very funny pirate poem.
Wonderful rhymes, fun to read out loud (practise first) complete
with glorious illustrations will have children reading bits again ad
again, poring over the images, looking out for all things to do with
pirates, and then seeking out other books, and waiting for Talk Like
Pirate Day (19 September) to come around.
This is a wonderful collaboration by award winning author and
illustrator, ensuring kids will have a great deal of fun as they
turn each page.
Themes: Pirates, Family, Cooking, Humour, Verse, Imagination.
Fran Knight