Oakley Graham (text), Nina Caniac (illus.), Shiver Me Timbers, Big Sky Publishing, 1 Sept 2016, 32pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925520002
Pirate stories will always have their young fans, and this simple, colourfully illustrated text is no different. With rhyming text featuring the best of pirate vocabulary, along with a three line ‘chorus’ on each double page spread, young aspiring pirates will love reading along, particularly joining in with the regular ‘Yo Ho Ho’.
Featuring mermaids, pirate maps, a giant octopus and a sad end in Davy Jones’ Locker for Captain Black, this pirate story hits all the right targets, but reveals nothing really new. Some readers may get a giggle out of the literal interpretation of the ‘poop’ deck, as the pirates relieve themselves over the deck of the ship, but in general, this has all been done before.
The book has bright, cartoonish illustrations which are engaging, and the text rolls along the page like the ocean. Four pages of ‘pirate facts’ complete the book, adding a little depth to what is a superficial addition to the wide range of pirate stories already available.
Reviewed by Kay Oddone
