The Two Stubborn Pirates from Top That Publishing

The Two Stubborn Pirates is written by Oakley Graham and illustrated by Kimberley Scott. It is published by Top That Publishing Limited and has 32 pages. It tells the story of a pirate feud that goes too far - between the pirates Redbeard and Bluebeard. As they're pirates it'll be of no surprise that of course they are fighting over a treasure map!

This is a great book for any child who is interested in pirates. It's a great book for a child who isn't interested in pirates. My boys love it, especially the 5 year old. It was our bedtime story tonight, and then my 5 year old chose it as his book to 'read to myself' before lights out - that rarely happens. My 15 year old son sat and listened while I read too - and even he laughed and chuckled.

The illustrations are modern and amusing and full of interest. The 'choir' on each double page are especially funny, and something my boys looked forward to seeing each time I turn over a page. My 3 year old saw for himself that the red and blue themes were carried on through the ships, and so he pointed this out very proudly too.

The Two Stubborn Pirates is written in gently loose rhyme and has a lovely flow. Each double page has 2 or 4 lines of rhyme and then the shanty which runs right through the book

And it's down, down, sink them all down

I made up a tune and sang the shanty and I could hear my boys singing it as they went to sleep. Personally I think that even a very young child will enjoy the shanty and the rhythm and the illustrations, and children from 2 1/2+ will appreciate the story too, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a toddler book - a 7 year old could enjoy it just as much. A really nice book that definitely appeals to a wide audience. 5/5


The Two Stubborn Pirates is published in paperback by Top That Publishing and has an RRP of £5.99 (although it is currently available for £5.39).

We were sent a copy of this book for review