A playful and diverting pirate tale that will appeal to kids and adults alike.
In this illustrated children’s book sequel, a pirate captain braves perils on and under the sea.
Hundreds of people have shown up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. It’s the perfect spot for blond, 4-foot-tall Capt. Elaine Mermain and her rainbow-bandanna crew to peddle their pirate wares, like rhinestone-studded eye patches. Before they pack and sail away aboard the Cotton Candy Ship, Elaine happens upon Mariko Morosight, a purple-eyed stranger whose painting of the captain’s ship turns out to be an alarming premonition. This seer predicts “rocky and rough” days ahead for Elaine and her crew, and Mariko’s crystal ball shows ominous gray skies and crashing waves. Sure enough, trouble ensues, starting with the ship’s rainbow mast sustaining some surprising damage, necessitating repairs. That night, as her crew sleeps, Elaine and her trusty feline sidekick, Ginger, face a sinister winged creature on the ship’s deck. But in the waters below, someone needs Elaine’s help. The bubbly and amiable Bertle the Turtle leads the captain to a pod of dolphins, as one of them has been pinned by a crate on the ocean floor. There’s no doubt that these crates belong to Capt. Bad Breaker, an ex-pirate whom Elaine had once tried to help overcome his rebellious ways. Little does Elaine know that Bad Breaker is following the Cotton Candy Ship for an unknown reason, although surely it’s something diabolical. When Mariko sees him in a precognitive dream, she sets off to warn the rainbow-bandanna crew before it’s too late.
This tale from Faer and her 9-year-old daughter, Raven, is entertaining and often amusing. Character names are particularly fun, from ship engineer Agent Coconut to Pooey-Poo, once the “smelliest pirate who ever lived,” who has, thanks to Elaine, put a stop to his stinky habits. There are likewise wonderful descriptions and visuals throughout the story. The Cotton Candy Ship, for example, has a unicorn horn on its bow while its glittery, pink sails are made from actual cotton candy. The story preaches an uplifting message of acceptance; positive rainbow colors pop up on the ship, the crew’s bandannas, and the hilt of Elaine’s sword. At the same time, the crew comprises diverse, abandoned sailors who have come together as a family, all with black cat companions at their sides. In terms of adventure, there’s not as much swashbuckling as some readers may hope for. But Elaine’s aquatic rescue is a gleeful turn, as the White “miniature sailor” and furry Ginger both experience a touch of something unexpectedly magical. The uncredited digital artwork, meanwhile, brims with vibrant hues and bright facial expressions. Animals are especially memorable, like Bertle’s infectious smile as well as the dolphins, whose initial annoyance with Elaine amid their pod is impossible to miss. The authors signal that this second installment of a series is not the last. The story ends with dangling plot threads and a cliffhanger that imply further dangers await the captain and her crew.
A playful and diverting pirate tale that will appeal to kids and adults alike.Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66981-094-0
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Xlibris US
Review Posted Online: Sept. 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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