Pirate Nap

PreS-K—Clever rhyming text in "pirate speak" and colorful, digital gouache illustrations in muted tones create a standout concept book. Two young brothers, sometimes with a little sister in tow, explore the house, finding treasures in everyday objects. Mom tries to corral them to settle down: "Time for a nap, rowdy crew./Mighty pirates need sleep too/Captain sneers. 'Tis a trap!/Pirates never, ever nap!'" Providing a strong story arc that children will relate to, the boys continue their adventure until the inevitable happens. The eight basic colors are introduced in the humorous text and in the imaginative pictures. For example, the youngsters discover coins underneath the cushions of the couch. "YELLOW treasures buried deep/Lucky pirates./Loot to keep!" In the basement, imagination takes them through expansive land to a mountain—a large stack of folded laundry with a red blanket for the summit. The facial expressions and body language of this duo are spot-on as they hop, jump, or dance, and the featured colors pop off the page. Children will pore over the small and large details in the artwork. This title inspires creative play, and is likely to be a treasure for years to come.—Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ