From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2–These animal pirates decide that they need more than the letter R (R's not enough./We need other letters/to help make us tough), so they set off to find the remaining 25. Led by a crocodile captain (with a hook, no less), the band of buccaneers searches far and wide to complete their mission. Some letters are found near items that begin with that letter, e.g., an anchor, gold, or a parrot. Others are in situations that involve the letter in action–Q is questioned, U is underwater. Still others are described, as in the case of the nimble N. Some alphabet books struggle to incorporate X, but as any young pirate knows, X marks the spot on a treasure map. The rhyming text is more suited to reading aloud as it includes a number of words that would have beginning readers asking for assistance. The colorful cartoon illustrations encourage children to participate by finding the sought-after letters, which appear in bright red uppercase in each scene. This alphabet adventure is sure to capture audience attention at a pirate-themed storyhour, and it will be enjoyed by individual borrowers.
–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. "R-r-r-run for your lives, all ye alphabet letters!" Some swashbuckling pirates are plundering the ABCs, and they won't stop until they capture every letter, right down to
z. The animal buccaneers dig for doubloons, discover a chest of gold, find
x marks the spot, and drop anchor, capturing the letters
a, d, and
g along the way. Meanwhile, the alligator captain threatens to show the pirates the plank if they don't bring him the alphabet. This rollicking, rhyming, seafaring caper is an inventive alphabet book, and Cole's comical illustrations put wind in the sails of the clever quest. A rip-roaring yarn that offers a treasure chest of ideas for classroom activities.
Julie CumminsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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