The Pirate Chef

Simon Mitchell (author)

Ben Wood (illustrator)

Working Title Press, Australia: 2010

ISBN: 9781921504051

Genres: adventure, picture book

Issues: differences, resilience, talented

'Louie's parents thought it was time he had a job, so they signed him up for Captain Blackheart's crew, the most fearsome band of pirates in all the Seven Seas.' Which is all very well but Louie actually wants to be a chef.

The pirates do their pirate thing – fight, plunder, tell tales of their wicked deeds – and all the while Louie dreams of astonishing meals and rare ingredients. Then the pirates go hunting for buried treasure on a deserted island. A dreadful storm blows their ship away and all seems lost. When he cooks the crew a meal from what he finds on the island, they rapidly realise that while Louie may not be a pirate, he has a great talent for cooking. One that could save them all.

A clever story that explores the difference between career and calling, Louie the Pirate Chef also provides encouragement for all children who out of sync with those around them, or who are attracted to something others regard as odd. A lively narrative with wonderful vocabulary to stretch children's imaginations and expand their language use, Louie the Pirate Chef is packed with brightly coloured, cartoon-style illustrations that contain references to other cultures and countries. Wood's pirates are a very mixed bunch and there are some visual jokes that will appeal to observant readers.

Great fun.