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Cats Ahoy!
When Alfonso the cat hears there's a boat coming into harbor, he hatches a plan involving a ghost pirate ship, some gullible fishermen, and LOTS of cats! The complete story and original illustrations of Cat's Ahoy! by Peter Bently and Jim Field have been specially redesigned into an early reader format. This new version is intended to help and encourage children who are growing in reading confidence.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
About the author
Peter Bently
173 books47 followersPeter Bently is married with two children, and lives in south England. He studied languages at Oxford University and has written over 40 titles, one of which led to him being awarded the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 6, 2021
داستانی ماجراجویانه از گربههای شمشیربه دست و صیدبزرگی از ماهیها
February 21, 2016
I just can't resist a book about cats, even if it is for children!
'Cats Ahoy!' is a great little story written in verse 'Especially for young readers!' Well, I don't qualify for that but I still read it and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Alfonso is the leader of the seaside town's cats and when he overhears that a huge catch of haddock is coming in the following day, he sets about rounding up his cat pals to make plans to hijack it.
Fortunately for them there is a ship, 'Kipper', standing empty in the harbour so at the dead of night the cats, armed with cutlasses and pistols board it. En route to the Kipper, a terrified group of dogs high-tailed it out of the way when they spotted the group of heavily armed cats looking mean and dangerous.
Trewlawney P Craddock (of course, it rhymes with haddock for effect!) is the skipper of the trawler that sets out to haul in his huge catch of haddock. But when he has cone so, to his utmost delight, he hears a strange howling, a grim ghoulish groaning.
The moon's eerie light suddenly lit up an apparently unoccupied ship coming out of the mist. 'Great codfish' (why not Great Haddock fish, I'm not sure) shouts the captain, 'We're being attacked by a ghost pirate ship.' He knew it was a pirate ship because there was the skull and crossbones flying from the mast - although to be fair it was rather the cat and fish bones flag that was flying!
Captain Craddock and his men abandoned the haddock (got to get the rhyme in) and took flight in their lifeboat. This left Alfonso and his men, sorry, cats, to enjoy the fruits of their capture. This they did in a sheltered cove, hidden from view, and as they ate they sang 'Yo-ho-ho and a carton of cream'!
Back on shore Captain Craddock relates his story to the villagers and tells them of the pirates' flag. 'Whoever heard of cat pirates?' asked the villagers but then they realised that the village was suddenly devoid of cats! And it was so for one week. The cats then returned much fatter than when they departed and the villagers asked them if they were responsible for the theft of the haddock. The cats looked all innocent and each one asked 'Me? How?' And that was all they would say.
Jim Field adds great cartoon drawings to Peter Bently's enjoyable and fun text.
'Cats Ahoy!' is a great little story written in verse 'Especially for young readers!' Well, I don't qualify for that but I still read it and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Alfonso is the leader of the seaside town's cats and when he overhears that a huge catch of haddock is coming in the following day, he sets about rounding up his cat pals to make plans to hijack it.
Fortunately for them there is a ship, 'Kipper', standing empty in the harbour so at the dead of night the cats, armed with cutlasses and pistols board it. En route to the Kipper, a terrified group of dogs high-tailed it out of the way when they spotted the group of heavily armed cats looking mean and dangerous.
Trewlawney P Craddock (of course, it rhymes with haddock for effect!) is the skipper of the trawler that sets out to haul in his huge catch of haddock. But when he has cone so, to his utmost delight, he hears a strange howling, a grim ghoulish groaning.
The moon's eerie light suddenly lit up an apparently unoccupied ship coming out of the mist. 'Great codfish' (why not Great Haddock fish, I'm not sure) shouts the captain, 'We're being attacked by a ghost pirate ship.' He knew it was a pirate ship because there was the skull and crossbones flying from the mast - although to be fair it was rather the cat and fish bones flag that was flying!
Captain Craddock and his men abandoned the haddock (got to get the rhyme in) and took flight in their lifeboat. This left Alfonso and his men, sorry, cats, to enjoy the fruits of their capture. This they did in a sheltered cove, hidden from view, and as they ate they sang 'Yo-ho-ho and a carton of cream'!
Back on shore Captain Craddock relates his story to the villagers and tells them of the pirates' flag. 'Whoever heard of cat pirates?' asked the villagers but then they realised that the village was suddenly devoid of cats! And it was so for one week. The cats then returned much fatter than when they departed and the villagers asked them if they were responsible for the theft of the haddock. The cats looked all innocent and each one asked 'Me? How?' And that was all they would say.
Jim Field adds great cartoon drawings to Peter Bently's enjoyable and fun text.
October 10, 2019
An interesting story all about the adventure of Alfonso the cat and his friends. Good use of rhyming throughout the story.
November 15, 2016
Katten die stiekem samenzweren om een schip vol haring te veroveren en dat allemaal in rijmvorm? Wij zijn fan!
September 25, 2020
A story about a group of cats who frighten some fishermen and take there ship to eat all the haddock they have caught.
Lighthearted story which would be useful to entertain a class at the end of the day.
Lighthearted story which would be useful to entertain a class at the end of the day.
July 1, 2017
جالب نبود
March 20, 2019
Fun enough and my 2yo liked it
July 29, 2020
This book is fabulous! The plot and rhyming is so funny, clever and witty. The illustrations are beautiful and very detailed. Every toddler needs this book in their collection!
October 13, 2023
I did like the rhyme in this book but I just don't feel the story was cohesive or came to a satisfying end.
July 3, 2014
This is a really fun read, it is a rhyming text that lends itself brilliantly to reading aloud. The blurb above is a pretty comprehensive account of the story held within the book, I don’t want to add any more for fear of spoiling the reading experience. I loved the choice of cats for pirates, it makes a lot of sense and allows for some lovely word play towards the end of the book.
I loved the illustrations, they’re richly coloured and contain so many clever little details. I liked the variety of page layouts within the book, particularly one double spread that is divided into 4 vertical sections. The cats themselves are a wonderful bunch, lots of different shapes and sizes and colours, I’m sure readers who own a cat will be able to spy one the looks similar to their cat.
Having looked at the author’s website I see he wrote King Jack and the Dragon, a picture book very different to this one that I absolutely loved when I read it. Clearly this an author whose style I enjoy a lot, expect to see more of his books appearing in these posts!
I loved the illustrations, they’re richly coloured and contain so many clever little details. I liked the variety of page layouts within the book, particularly one double spread that is divided into 4 vertical sections. The cats themselves are a wonderful bunch, lots of different shapes and sizes and colours, I’m sure readers who own a cat will be able to spy one the looks similar to their cat.
Having looked at the author’s website I see he wrote King Jack and the Dragon, a picture book very different to this one that I absolutely loved when I read it. Clearly this an author whose style I enjoy a lot, expect to see more of his books appearing in these posts!
January 2, 2012
In a world where cats are pirates and fish their bounty, the cats have a whale of a time securing a prize catch under the leadership of the charismatic feline, Captain Alphonso. The rhyming text is witty and will entertain adults as much as children (something I'm always looking for in a Storytime read-a-loud). This would be excellent reading choice as part of a pirate theme.
February 4, 2017
Me and my kids enjoyed this book for couple of weeks. I recommend it to everyone who love pirates themes.
Want to Read
November 11, 2011Roald Dahl funny prize for younger readers
Want to Read
November 15, 2011award winner for humor--rec. for APL
February 7, 2012
Cats! Pirates! Cats who ARE Pirates! What's not to like? Seriously...this book is a lot of fun.
August 19, 2012
Great illustrations that add an extra sparkle with their attention to detail. An excellent funny rhyming tale.
October 13, 2013
Very clever & amusing tale, reads aloud well & illustrations are brilliant
December 15, 2013
Very clever tale with beautifully rhymed language and gorgeous illustrations. Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011.
January 18, 2014
A very funny rhyming book. A good one to read aloud
December 31, 2014
A favourite book of my children. An exciting story!
June 20, 2015
Me?How?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews