Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates is written and illustrated by
T. E. Antonino.
My original review of this joyful book was on Reedsy.
Opening with the words: “I was like every other fourth-grade kid until the day I became a pirate. Let me change that to the day I became a pirate captain.” This sets the stage for a great 4th grade water-fantasy about being pirates. In reality, the story is set in the classroom where Sparky was supposed to present her assignment. In addition Sparky does not swim. She will mess around in the water though, and will go in at the shallow end. YET, the entire fantasy is set in the pool.
I really enjoy the sketches/illustrations for each chapter of the story. They are simple and relatable. The only thought is that maybe these could have been integrated into the text as well, as they present the reader with a pleasurable activity.
Antonino gives kids this age something to see themselves being a part of. There are also a couple of lessons, as although Sparky is a girl, no-one finds it strange for her to be the Captain. In fact she made her position clear from the outset. What becomes confusing, however, is where does the imagining end and the real class begin. The reader has to be very quick on the uptake, so to speak, as the transitions are not always quite plausible.
“Did we reach nowhere or somewhere or over there or over here?” I asked. “I think only pirates can find these places on a map.” “We made it to elsewhere,” Captain Wobble said. “And that’s not good, right?” I asked. The language is appropriate but a little devious as fourth graders are still developing their vocabulary. With the continuous introduction of new animals, new scenes and new names to recall, the story just feels a bit forced.
Altogether a really pleasant read!!