Pirate Nell's tale to tell A storybook adventure

Gr 1--4--Nell is beyond excited to begin her life as a pirate. She has read all about pirating in her favorite books, and she knows that the real experience is going to be even better than she can imagine. However, Captain Gnash is not the most supportive leader; he does not approve of Nell or her love of reading. Even though the crew takes to her quickly, Nell finds her spirits dampen when she is assigned only menial tasks. At a particularly low point, Nell makes a wish and she is rewarded with a treasure map--one that is promptly commandeered by the captain. A nasty storm tests Nell's pirate skills and, when the sky clears, the crew discovers one of the greatest treasures of all. Vibrant, detailed illustrations feature dogs of all kinds. A pleasant rhyming meter recounts Nell's story, breaking from its eight-syllable pattern only occasionally. Some challenging vocabulary serves to enhance children's understanding of new words, and the overall message places books and reading in a position of great importance. VERDICT Just in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day, this book is a perfect addition to school and library curricula for elementary school--aged readers.--Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.

A literary cur teaches her fellow buccaneers that there be treasure in them thar books! Book-smart pup Nell joins an all-dog pirate crew with big dreams. "For great adventures filled her head / from every tale she'd ever read." She even has her trusty Pirate's Almanac to help this young dog learn some new tricks. But Capt. Gnash, an amputee bulldog with a bone for a prosthesis instead of a peg leg, has no respect for bookishness and belittles the peppy pup. Undeterred, Nell finds a treasure map only to have it snatched by Gnash. Ignoring Nell's good advice, he soon finds himself in need of her rescue, and when the treasure is at last discovered, is it any wonder that it's 20 treasure chests full of books? Gnash sees the error of his ways, and Nell not only teaches the crew to read, but converts the boat into a floating library. The upbeat rhyming text keeps the plot moving at a fair clip and sails past the occasional awkward turn of phrase (is it possible to "snap…with a sneer"?). Cheery art has a friendly, cartoony look, and its buoyant tenor will make even the scurviest wag yearn for a tropical isle of their own. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-22.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 27.7% of actual size.) A pox on the haters! Secure the mainsail and set a course for a howling good adventure. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.