The Treasure of Pirate Frank

This book celebrates the wonderfully creative talent of Mal Peet and his wife Elspeth Graham in partnership, it being one of the last stories they produced before Mal’s death in 2015. The story, inspired by the tale, The House that Jack Built, has a rhyme that begs to be read aloud, one that children will join in readily. The illustrations leap from every spread with rumbustious energy, drawing in readers. A touch of gold on the cover adds to the initial thrill of opening this book, whilst there is a FREE Stories Aloud smartphone audio book facility tucked on the inside front cover by a scan of the QR code.  A small boy, his map and his dog set off on aboard ship across the bright blue sea. ‘This is the boy who wants to find the treasure of Pirate Frank. This is the map that shows the way to the treasure of Pirate Frank.’ So begins the adventure, as they cross snowy mountain tops, meet crowds of monkeys in the forests, encounter a swamp full of singing bullfrogs,  a volcano that spits out fire, and climb steps that go higher and higher. All these sites are on the map that shows the way to the treasure of Pirate Frank. The accumulating text rings out in gripping rhythm as boy and dog traverse the various haunts, the pictures adding much to the text. Excitement mounts as the boy and faithful dog approach the tree that marks the spot…  The treasure chest, at long last! But oh dear, standing upon it is Pirate Frank, and upon the chest reads a sign: ‘This treasure belongs to pirate frank.  Hands off!’  Most unexpectedly, Pirate Frank is a fearsome looking girl! ‘Quick! Run! Down the steps going lower, not higher…’ And so boy and dog hastily retrace their journey back home, as in a renowned and much loved bear hunt picture book, all the way chased by the fiery Pirate Jack. This book should become a great classic, needing to be read aloud, with friends, with families, in classrooms, on high days and holidays, in libraries, in cafes, and high adventurous places all around the world. Let it fly!