Customer Reviews

Edward and the Pirates

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Would a 4 year old girl who's totally into the Disney Princesses like a book about pirates? It turns out that this book is not exactly about pirates, but about a little boy and his imagination. My 4 year old niece loves the book, so don't think it's just for boys!

This richly illustrated, imaginative story was an instant favorite with our 3-year old pirate afficionado. Edward's passion for reading has inspired our son to discover reading by himself is its own adventure. The painterly style in Mc Phail's illustrations add a flavor of mystery and allow readers to season the story with their own imaginative details. I'm hoping for a sequel!

McPhail's picture book _Edward and the Pirates_ is about a young reader named Edward. Sometimes his imagination carries him away. Usually he gets involved in a book, and then he imagines himself in the plot, or imagines the plot coming to life. Then he goes to one of his favorite places, the library. He finds a book on pirates which begins "Some pirate treasure has never been found." Later, Edward takes the book home, begins to read, and then sometime during the night he imagines a pirate adventure which involves his library book, his parents, and a gang of ruthless-looking (but tame enough for a toddler) pirates.

The illustrations are very dark, yet this works to the book's advantage. My son has asked me to read _Edward and the Pirates_ to him a dozen times (my son is 3 1/2 years old), and he often finds new details amidst the dark illustrations.

The book sends a wonderful message about libraries (use them!) and reading (do it!) and imagination (use that too!), not to mention parents (they're the good guys!) and the imaginary episode is clearly written into the plot. Even my son realizes that there aren't really pirates in Edward's bedroom.

My son is intensely interested in pirates, and _Edward and the Pirates_ entertains him. The book sends wonderful messages while telling a strong story.

Highly recommended.

ken32

A lively, humorous story as well as a work of art. This book will be enjoyed by children over and over again because it touches the imagination. For adults it is a reminder of the reason good reading is so enjoyable, because it brings the story alive!

"Over the top" is a perfect description of this book. Like "Mole Music", it is impossible to describe how perfect this book is - you just have to read the story. The perfection of McPhail's books goes beyond the story. The story is exciting, the pictures good. But it's also in the values that are reflected throughout the book that are actually incidental to the storyline. A strong woman character and a positive mother image. An equally admirable father and together they present a positive image of family. A strong, responsible, compassionate and incredibly imaginative child. An adventerousome, smart, caring BOY who loves to read. The perfection of McPhail's books also lie in what you don't find in them - you don't find the sexist or stereotyped images of either females or males; you don't find senseless violence or use of physical force as the only form of adventure; you don't find negative/pejorative stereotypes of the adults such as parents, teachers and other community members, that children encounter in their lives. McPhail has the creativity to present good stories without having to use negative stereotypes to make himself amusing or engaging. Our 2 1/2 year old son loved this book and we felt good about reading it to him, and we enjoyed it ourselves. It is also a good book for those concerned about the violence that children are exposed to in tv, movies and books. This story provides children with a broader look at how these types of characters can be used in imaginative play and gives more depth to understanding the characters (so perhaps playing pirates doesn't have to only be taking a stick, pretending it's a sword and hitting your friend with it.) The mother is also a great alternative to the sexist and weak portrayl of most female characters.

This is an over the top children's book. The illustrations are wonderfully done and the dialogue between the characters is challenging but very readable. I have used this book as a read aloud to classes from 1st grade up to 3rd grade and all have loved it! Edward is an intelligent young boy who loves to read...my students are drawn to this and are inspired to become better readers themselves. Well done!

I was so excited to find this book, as my 3-year-old son is a swashbuckling pirate himself. I am a huge proponent of reading and this book sends such a great message about reading, while enthralling a child's imagination. I absolutely love the idea that Edward has checked his book out from the library and refuses to surrender it to the pirates. You must check out the two other books written about Edward and his reading adventures -"Edward in the Jungle" and "Santa's Book of Names". They are both incredible, especially the latter. I only hope the author continues to bring us more books about Edward.

My 3 and a half year old loves anything about pirates but I am afraid he finds Edward and the Pirates a bit boring. It was reccomended to me in the book store,the illustrations are quite lovely,and the idea is good but if you are looking for the excitement you might expect with pirates you might look elsewhere matey. Unfortunately it sits on the bookshelf rarely chosen for the night night story.

I read Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail to my kindergarten students this week and the magical, transformative quality of books came sweeping back. We may have been sitting in our classroom but our minds were in Edward's world surrounded by pirates and possibility.

The children were transfixed.

This book reminded me of all those long ago nights getting lost in reading. When I first discovered that reading carried such power. When I first fell in love with sitting alone but not really being alone because on the page all of these amazing things were taking place.

So thank you to David McPhail for capturing this with your beautiful book. And thanks to the authors who have transported me time and time again into those stunning worlds created by words.

My 3yo son loved this book immediately. He asks for it to be read over and over. He also loves Edward in the Jungle by the same author. I think he can really relate to "losing" himself in a story. The dark moody illustrations were a put off to me the first time I read it but then I think it adds to the mystery. My son doesn't seem to have trouble seeing the pictures.