We all have a little of our ancestors inside: the shape of the eyes, the ability to respond to difficulties, perhaps a hobby, love for animals, ... But do they have something to do with Koko Lucero del Alba or the gentle-looking man Ebeneezer Hatchett with Preciosa ?, What about Grandpa Rogers wearing a pirate hat or Admiral George Fellowes with Jim Lad?
Yes because those four characters with strange names were great-great grandparents, great grandparents or grandparents of Jim and his little sister (which they affectionately call Preciosa, although she is a bit naughty, of course she is only three years old, how could she not be!).
Why do I tell you this? You will see that these two children, and their parents, and also Grandpa Rogers, along with Bones (the dog) and Chirrido (the grandfather's parrot), they are the new inhabitants of Villasosa de la Riberto. It is a town of just over 2000 inhabitants that comes alive in summer but is almost empty in winter. It is not surprising that Matilda (or Tilda), the other protagonist of the children's book 'My neighbors the pirates' she gets bored, and even more so considering that in her street she is the only girl who lives. However, she and Jim Lad were destined to get to know each other, because if Villasosa de la Ribera is good, it is a coastal town.
That's why the pirate family didn't doubt it when the ship broke down: as easy as docking the ship at the port, renting the house next to the Tilda family, and rest a season of storms, boarding, sabers and treasure maps.
'My Neighbors the Pirates' is written and illustrated by Jonny Duddle, and published by Ediciones Fortuna, a company that delights us for three years with that kind of literature that entertains children, and adults reminds us of a childhood in which innocence was equal to happiness.
The author says that he was an art teacher in the middle of the Kalahari desert. I think the secret of attractiveness in his writings is an agile style and dialogues in verse, in addition to that in his drawings we find all kinds of details that place us perfectly on the stage, and combine the classicism of beautiful children's illustrations, with a wonderful use of colors, in which we find dozens of surprises that attract attention of the kids.
Little more I have to tell you about 'My neighbors the pirates', ah, yes !, I forgot that its original version (in English) has received such prestigious awards as the Waterstones Prize for children's books and the applause of criticism by British media of the importance of The Guardian or the BBC, among others
Although I will not stop telling you that in the story the intolerance of the inhabitants of a bland place is perfectly portrayed as the most, attitude that gives way to the most absolute hypocrisy when after the march of the pirate family everyone discovers that they have left gifts in the form of gold objects. The book is very fun, and is recommended for children ages four to nine.
It costs 15.50 euros and can be purchased or commissioned in any bookstore. It can also be purchased through the Internet (El Corte Inglés, Amazon, Casa del Libro ...) or directly from the Fortuna Editions website (shipping costs are free with the acquisition of three or more titles).
Will children like it? Sure, it also comes with an added attraction: the dust jacket becomes a large drop-down poster, on the one hand the whole family, on the other its entire family tree.
