Edward and the Pirates

Rating:
Summary: Wow Wow Wow
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: all-around great book about pirates and imagination
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Edward and the Pirates
Review: 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!