Who doesn't love VeggieTales? And who doesn't want their young children to learn to read better? If that's you this book is NOT for you.
VeggieTales: Pirates, Mess Detectives and a Superhero
I Can Read Series, Level 1
by Karen Poth
Zonderkidz
February 2014
This book collects Pirate in Training, LarryBoy and the Mudslingers and Listen Up Larry.
In
Pirate in Training, Junior Asparagas decides to join the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything because he believes he will be able to skip school work. The Pirates work together to show the benefits of going to school - using math to split lunch bills or using maps to travel. But Junior agrees that he needs school and the story ends with his promise to come back during the summer. Very, very shallow. There really are only two reasons given for why he should go to school other than learning about stuff he may want to do. The story is tied loosely to Proverbs 13:4 about how people who work hard are completely satisfied.
In
LarryBoy and the Mudslingers we get a lesson from Luke 11:4 about avoiding temptation and falling in to sins and forgiveness. Curly the worm and Bad Apple start a mud balloon fight between Laura and Junior at a waterpark that soon spreads to everyone at the park. LarryBoy learns the lesson that if he joins in the mudslinging the battle will never end. To end the fight, he has to forgive those who got him muddy and stop the cycle. Everyone learns the lesson, apologize to each other and have fun at the park. This one is a clever story that parents can use to teach clear messages.
In
Listen Up Larry, we get a detective story with Larry and Bob solving a mystery where they learn to apply Proverbs 1:5 about wise people listening and adding to what they learn. It turns out that Junior doesn't pay attention in class and isn't being wise, but the lesson is lost on Larry who also isn't paying attention. The lack of listening leads to Larry being lost on the road (and spiritually) and when he learns his lesson solutions start coming. A mixed bag as Larry seems to continue to suffer from not listening even through the last page.
As far as lessons go, this collection is a mixed bag. But it is VeggieTales and young readers will want to know what comes next. I guess I have a higher standard when it comes to books with morals; I expect an actual lesson. The artwork looks great but is unattributed, which, as an artist, I'm against. Overall, a fun book, but with so many better books out there I think I'd pass on this collection and buy
Can't Wait Willow instead.
