Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates

Sparky is a girl with a big imagination. She loves hanging around the shallow end of the pool, even though she can’t swim and doesn’t like getting her feet wet. One day, three wacky pirates emerge from the drain and they soon befriend Sparky. Both Sparky and the pirates learn from each other, like how the pirates show Sparky how to become a real pirate, and she teaches them some proper manners. After meeting them, Sparky finally thinks of the perfect story. Sparky’s story features her and the three pirates: Bobble, Gobble, and Wobble. The story is full of silly encounters, budding friendships, and loads of fun! Sparky is sure her story is true, but her classmates aren’t convinced.

Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates is perfect for fans of Dory Fantasmagory. This book was a very charming and fun read. Sparky is a very creative and clever girl, making her a very fun and relatable character to root for. I like the contrast between Sparky’s smart personality versus the silly and carefree pirates, so it was hilarious when their dynamics clashed. I appreciate how all the characters are well thought out. I would’ve really enjoyed this book if it was available when I was a young child. Even though the author wrote an epilogue, I still hope the author will consider writing a sequel because I would love more adventures from Sparky.

The illustrations have a very cute and cartoony vibe, and it suits the book’s theme perfectly. The cover artwork is so playful and fun. It almost looks like a little whirlwind is surrounding Sparky. The detail in each character is amazing, but I like the illustrations of the pirates the best. Each pirate has a unique feature and has a slightly different outfit design. I really appreciate the illustrations in the book because it allows the reader to visualize all the characters and their zany facial expressions. I only wish there were more illustrations.

Kids will surely love reading about Sparky and the pirates on their adventures. I think young readers will enjoy reading this book because not only does it provide lots of pirate fun, it also shows them that they should believe in themselves. I recommend this book to all young pirate enthusiasts, and if you have an imaginary friend or if your child is imaginative like Sparky, this book will be right up your alley!