McPhail's picture book _Edward and the Pirates_ is about a young reader named Edward. Sometimes his imagination carries him away. Usually he gets involved in a book, and then he imagines himself in the plot, or imagines the plot coming to life. Then he goes to one of his favorite places, the library. He finds a book on pirates which begins "Some pirate treasure has never been found." Later, Edward takes the book home, begins to read, and then sometime during the night he imagines a pirate adventure which involves his library book, his parents, and a gang of ruthless-looking (but tame enough for a toddler) pirates.
The illustrations are very dark, yet this works to the book's advantage. My son has asked me to read _Edward and the Pirates_ to him a dozen times (my son is 3 1/2 years old), and he often finds new details amidst the dark illustrations.
The book sends a wonderful message about libraries (use them!) and reading (do it!) and imagination (use that too!), not to mention parents (they're the good guys!) and the imaginary episode is clearly written into the plot. Even my son realizes that there aren't really pirates in Edward's bedroom.
My son is intensely interested in pirates, and _Edward and the Pirates_ entertains him. The book sends wonderful messages while telling a strong story.
Highly recommended.
ken32