BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Book Title: Pirate Blunderbeard: Worst. Movie. Ever (available here)
Author: Amy Sparkes
Illustrator: Ben Cort
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: October 2018
Most Suitable for: Lower KS2
Reviewed By: Emma Hughes, School Librarian
‘Worst. Movie. Ever.’ is the fourth title in the Pirate Blunderbeard series. In his latest book, Pirate Blunderbeard auditions to star in a movie called The Perfect Life of Pirates – or PLOP for short – directed by the esteemed director, Jolly Roger.
Blunderbeard cannot contain his excitement, and is determined to audition along with his fire-breathing chicken, Boris, who could be disguised as a parrot. Unfortunately, it seems that everything that can go wrong in the audition does go wrong, so it seems unlikely that Blunderbeard will even get the part of an extra.
What unfolds is a mad-cap story, because when Jolly’s Golden Eyepatch award goes missing, there is only one chicken that has the skills required to find it – it’s just unlucky that Boris has been imprisoned by Blunderbeard’s nemesis and brother, Blackbeard. If Blunderbeard can escape from the island to which he has been exiled and rescue Boris the chicken in order to find the missing award, then Blunderbeard’s fortunes could change. But can he do it in time?
This book is written in the first-person and takes the form of a diary, with notices, letters and lists to add to the informal style. The book does refer to previous escapades of Blunderbeard, but this doesn’t distract from the story. Blunderbeard is a determined and self-motivated character who will appeal to children in Years 3 and 4. In fact, there are many humorous characters throughout the story, making this a light-hearted read dotted with a healthy dose of toilet-humour.
There are fantastic illustrations on most pages and these, as well as being very funny, help the reader by providing visual aid to the slapstick in the story.
——————–
You can order Pirate Blunderbeard: Worst. Movie. Ever online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Emma Hughes for reviewing the book.
