posted on 11 Sep 2024

The Legend of Old Captain Sue by Ian Cartwright

I am always on the lookout for an unusual book about Pirates as, for some reason, this is a topic that is often covered in the school curriculum. I guess this must be down to the embedded cultural fascination with the romance of the sea, perhaps starting with classic like ‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson and ‘Peter Pan’ by J.M. Barrie. Whatever the reason, most children are familiar with pirate imagery like the skull and crossbones and treasure maps from a very young age. Female pirates are not represented very often, so this one promised to be an unusual treat.

The cover shows a grim-faced, grey haired figure with the requisite hooked arm, peg-leg and tattoo standing beside a colourful parrot, a spade and a chest brimming with gold and jewels. My six year old grandson wondered if she was about to bury this somewhere and why she looked very anxious about something.

The story introduces her using rhyming text that continues throughout, providing a gentle sing along rhythm. The second page explains that she is about to embark on her last adventure to look for some gold rumoured to be buried on a far away island. Before long she sets off to sea alone with in a barrel with a map but not much else:

‘Out on the ocean,

with no spoon and no dish,

she lived on a diet of

Black rum and fish.'

After a long time she digs up the promised treasure and gleefully sets off to return home. As we were only half way through the story, my grandson wisely suggested that something bad might be about to happen! Sure enough, she encounters a ghastly sea monster who gobbles her up. We particularly liked this gruesome section of the book with Captain Sue, despite her age, demonstrating impressive prowess with her cutlass to make her escape. The ending of this sorry tale is left open for the reader to decide:

‘ What happened next

is up for debate;

does anyone know

of her ultimate fate?’

We both enjoyed reading this funny story published by Tiny Tree Books which should be available from your local independent bookshop, who will be happy to order for you if not already on their shelves.

 

Karen Argent

September 2024