Pirates Aren't Afraid of the Dark!

PreS-Gr 1—When bear cub Jack builds a pirate tent in the backyard for an overnight sleepover, his sister Lily is eager to join him. But in this lighthearted adventure, Jack has other plans that don't include Lily. He thinks Lily, dressed as a fairy with wings, a magic wand and star antennae, won't be up for this scary adventure. Many children will be able to relate to Lily. Full of colorful, friendly illustrations, this book shows how two siblings can learn to cooperate. It also emphasizes the theme that girls can be anything they choose. It takes Jack a while to get with the program. "Fairies can't be pirates!" he says. Although Lily remains steadfast, Jack doesn't budge, telling her, "No fairies allowed!" Jack softens his position when it gets dark and his flashlight doesn't work. When Lily, aka Captain Fairydust, appears inside the tent, the two soon team up to investigate the noise outside the tent. But the monster turns out to be Mom delivering a lantern and treats. Lily and Jack eventually become crew mates in the tent overnight. The illustrations are tender and sweet. Breezy in tone and sure to captivate young readers, this is a cute story about siblings learning to get along and a good reminder that boys and girls can be friends. Parents and teachers will appreciate the timeless message about cooperation and empowerment.—Robin Sofge, Alexandria Library, VA