By Izzy B, Illustrated by Ben Askew
IzzyBBooks, 2023
Picture Book, 39 Pages, Ages 3-8
The most fearsome pirate on the seven seas, Captain Coursebeard AKA Gregory, is afraid of one thing and one thing only; his first grade teacher. Mrs. McKraken doesn’t tolerate bad manners, pirate or no pirate, and she’s about to take the entire ship by surprise!
We say thank you, we say please. We never interrupt or tease!
Once Mrs. McKraken boards the ship she realizes she has a big job to get Captain..oops… Gregory in line. When he tries to take over a ship to steal the gold treasure he’s reminded how he should ask for things he wants, so he asks the Captain if he can please board the ship and “steal yer treasure!” The Captain, hilariously says “Uh. Sure.” As the crew tries to steal everything on board Gregory is again reminded by THE MCKRAKEN about sharing, and thus the Captain gives him one gold candlestick and a silver snail statue…. Okay this author is hilarious. A silver snail statue, why would the captain even HAVE a silver snail statue?
As the book continues, the hilarity mounts as he’s reminded about picking on others and the Captain, about to walk the plank, ends up with an inter tube, arm floaties, a snorkel, and a swim cap… even though there are sharks circling below.
The artwork in this book really compliments the theme of silliness. There is a sword wielding fish, a pirate on a time-out, and at the end everybody has a gold star, even the fins on the sharks in the water. The end sheets continue with octopus tentacles wearing goggles and snorkel, holding an umbrella, emptying The McKraken’s purse, etc. You get it, this book is bright, colorful, and cheerful, but beneath all of this are great messages. All of the ‘rules’ of good manners are written in simple rhyme and they’re all appropriate. This book was well thought out to teach without letting kids know they’re learning. Hard to find books better than that. Will kids like it? You bet. The irony of a fearsome pirate being made to behave by a little old lady won’t be lost on anybody. Books about manners are greatly needed and this one hits the mark!
The Mighty McKraken by Izzy B receives 5 stars from this reviewer.