A-HARR! OHO! It's time for a book we've been waiting for since...oooh since AGES! The welcome return of a most heinous beastie in the latest book from Jonny Duddle [...]The Pirates Next Door" was one of the first of Jonny's books we read, and then later on we happened across its predecessor "The Pirate Cruncher" in the library, and couldn't wait to read it and pick up our own copy.So in the latest of Jonny's hugely successful chapter book versions of his nautical tales, we see the Jolley-Rogers and Matilda on their latest adventure, seeking out the treasure depicted on a mysterious map salvaged from a floating bottle. [...] It's only a matter of time before Jonny's first two picture book universes collide in spectacular fashion as The Pirates Next Door Meet the fearsome PIRATE CRUNCHER!We've been hoping, praying for the reappearance of ol' PC himself since his first brilliant picture book appearance, and this latest chapter book story from Jonny doesn't disappoint! [...] Brilliant illustrations also help to jolly things along (there's an epic sequence as the Jolley-Rogers' fabulous amphibious jeep ends up flying into the Pirate Cruncher's gaping maw!)Full of excitement, adventure and brilliant moments of piratical pursuits, it's our favourite of the chapter book Jolley-Rogers books, and we're gnashing at the bit for more!Charlotte's favourite bit: Even Nugget helps mount the rescue attempt (Nugget, Matilda and Mum make a formidable girl-power team!)Daddy's favourite bit: I love the way Jonny deconstructs his original book as the girls (and grandad) realise just how lame the Pirate Cruncher's daft old pirate puppet is, and how daft the boys are for gadding off in search of buried booty without thinking things out. Nicely sharp, that!
