Edward and the Pirates By: David McPhail Post by: Olivia Harrington

Edward is a young blond headed boy with round black glasses who absolutely LOVES to read! He reads anything and everything he can get his hands and eyes on from cereal boxes, to monuments, to books of all kinds. He mainly reads about all kinds of adventures and when he reads, he goes on the journey of the main character in the book. He helps Robin Hood escape when he becomes cornered and assists Admiral Peary in a dogsled race to the North Pole. One day at the library, Edward discovers a book about the lost treasure of pirates. He begins to read and continues until the library begins to close. He checks out the book and takes it home with him. That night in bed, before drifting off to sleep, Edward picks up where he left off. But, no sooner has he opened the book than a whole crew of pirates enter the room demanding the book so that they can find their lost treasure. Edward calmly explains that they will have to wait until he returns the book to the library. Even after promising to take Edward along in their adventures and even threatening to make Edward walk the plank, Edward will still not hand over the book to the pirates. One pirate draws his sword and Edward politely reminds him that he needs to be quiet so that he does not wake up Edward's parents. No sooner does he speak than his mother rides into the room on a big white horse and donning a suit of armor! The pirates all group together to close in on Edward's mother but then his father, or should I say Robin Hood Dad, arrives just in the nick of time with his accurate archery skills knocking all the swords out of the pirates' hands. The pirates beg for mercy and Edward begins to feel sorry for them. So, he gives the book to the pirates but after only a few moments they hand it back. Very sadly, none of the pirates can read! Upon this discovery, Edward asks his parents if he can stay up a little longer and read to the pirates. His parents agree telling him not to stay up too late and the pirates all gather round Edward as he starts his book from the beginning again.

I absolutely love this book because it really captures the world through children's eyes when it comes to reading. It reminds me that a book can truly take a child anywhere because they have such vivid imaginations! The illustrations do a great job of creating suspense and also making the book come alive. I also think it is so sweet how Edward's parents become incorporated into the story! It gives a sense of family while still enjoying the delight of a pirate adventure. This would be a book that I would read to students at the start of a school year to hopefully encourage their excitement about reading. A wonderful book with amazing pictures and an even more amazing storyline, I would recommend this book to any teacher trying to spark an interest in reading inside his or her classroom!