The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate

After being given the book by a friend, and reading it a zillion times- we never tire of this one- this has become a favorite book to gift. It's a fun story that has a plot line silly enough to please kids, great colorful pictures and a message that will make a tired mama smile.

We also first encountered this book outside the US...when we were living in Ireland in our case. The other reviewer accurately described the simple plotline so I need not add anything here. What I do want to add is my appreciation for (1) the beautiful and subtle illustrations, and (2) the applicability of this book to those of us who really REALLY like to plop a kiddo on our laps and read aloud to them. The illustrations follow the plotline in an unusually sensitive way. Not only do they generally show the changes in the landscapes as the man and his Pirate Mother approach the seaside, but subtle changes also occur in the man himself. My children loved to point these out, over and over again, as his tie comes undone and his jacket unbuttoned and his hair ruffled. By the time he and his Pirate Mother reach the seaside he is clearly ready for a romp on the beach. As one who loves reading aloud to his children (and now grandchildren), the combination of text and pictures offers ample dramatic opportunity. Scoff as ye may, for those of us who fancy ourselves budding thespians who ... but only if we had the opportunity ... Well! Let me just say that this is an excellent book for reading aloud for BOTH the reader and the audience!

I first encountered this enchanting book while taking a Children's Lit course in Australia. Although that was a year ago, I still remember this book as a favourite of all the books we studied.The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate by Margaret Mahy is a wonderful story about not getting caught up in the everyday and about taking time out of the regular routine to appreciate life and have fun. Originally done by a different illustrator, the book has been reillustrated for its more recent publications. The new colourful, comical illustrations compliment the fun storyline in which a young businessman learns to let loose while accompaning his eccentric pirate mother on his first visit to the sea. Initially hesitant, the young man soon finds himself overcome by the beauty and power of the ocean and, as a result, undergoes a major change in perspective. Readers, too, will find themselves in awe of the ocean thanks to a wonderfully illustrated full page spread that really seems to capture the greatness of the sea. While this book is classified as a "children's book" I think that many adults will be able to enjoy and relate to it also. In addition, I think that the story's message, a reminder to "stop and smell the roses", is one that we can all benefit from. I definitely recommend it!