<p><b>Ahoy me hearties!</b><br /><b>Do you love a pirate story? Then this is a fabulous book for you! It is extremely well written (paperback 160 pages) and includes a wealth of impressive illustrations.</b><br /><b>Your kids will find this book entertaining, engaging and most amusing. There are some great characters in this story.</b><br /><b>Matilda is just adorable. Don't be surprised if your kids' are glued to this story - there is an element of "What happens next?" about every chapter.</b><br /><b>I would suggest that this book is perfect for early readers, of five years and over. However, I'm sure that younger children will be delighted to have this story read to them, with the help of the page by page illustrations. </b><br /><b>I can fully recommend this book. Lots of fun!</b></p>

- Robin Rowles, Peep Behind Sofa

After pirates plunder treasures from the Dull-on-Sea museum, the town panics, and Matilda sends a note to her pirate friend, Jim Lad, asking for help. When Jim's Jolley-Rogers family arrives, Grandpa Rogers announces the ghosts of Captain Twirlybeard and his crew are likely to blame! Matilda joins the Jolley- Rogers aboard their ship as they seek the spectral scalawags and unlock a surprising secret. This early chapter book is full of intrigue, spookiness, and pirate tales that will capture the attention of emerging and struggling readers. Gray-scale illustrations show Duddle's attention to artistic detail, and his creative use of black backgrounds and white text whenever characters are plunged into darkness heightens the feel of danger and excitement. More adventures ahoy! Book two, The Jolley-Rogers and the Cave of Doom, publishes simultaneously.

- J. B. Petty, Booklist