Tim, Ted and the Pirates

Using the time-honored conceit of the imaginary world taking over from the everyday, Ian Whybrow wields a playful tale of derring-do.

Tim is so captivated by story-time that a whole wet world of sea, sharks and swashbuckling pirates floats into being and carries him off him with his ted. Adrift on the high seas, the two encounter a bad pirate crew and their mad captain. But it’s all fun and fierceness as Tim and Ted strut their stuff, threatening and overwhelming the dastardly crew. It’s only when Tim spills his drink on the story-time rug that reality returns. This account, told in rhyme, fair rollicks along.

There’s a distinctly Japanese feel to Russell Ayto’s strong flat patterns, hard edges and idiosyncratic characters with their open rectangular mouths. The colours too are oriental, dominated by dark blues and greens, juxtaposed with maroon and white with yellow minimal and then only in the classroom scenes. The sophistication of these illustrations along with the violent escapades, make this a great picture book for older kids, especially those who like action.