Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas

Jacob Two-Two #4

by Cary Fagan, Dušan Petričić (Illustrator)

He’s back! The late Mordecai Richler had planned more adventures for his small hero and now, with the full support of the Richler family, award-winning author Cary Fagan carries on the tradition in a hilarious story for a whole new generation of Jacob fans. After Jacob Two-Two’s father writes a very important novel, the family makes plans to move to Canada.They board the SS Spring-a-Leak for a journey across the ocean. Jacob Two-Two makes some new acquaintances — the unbelievably handsome Captain Sparkletooth, the acrobatic Bubov Brothers, the failed toy inventor Mr. Peabody, and the giant but gentle Morgenbesser. Most important, he makes friends with young Cindy Snootcastle, who keeps a secret treasure in her pocket.But something is wrong on the SS Spring-a-Leak. A series of clues — a black eye patch; a parrot who squawks “Apple sauce in your underpants!”; and a sailing ship flying the Jolly Roger — can only mean trouble. Will the intrepid Shapiro and the fearless O’Toole really be left on a desert island? Will Jacob Two-Two be made to walk the plank?Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas is a treat for those who know Jacob and for those who are about to meet one of the most endearing characters in children’s literature.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Adventure

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2009

About the author

Cary Fagan has written numerous books for children, including What Are You Doing, Benny?, Little Blue Chair and Mr. Zinger's Hat, which was awarded the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the IODE Jean Throop Award. He has also won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. Cary was born and raised in Toronto, where he continues to live with his family.

Reviews

[Dubhease · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Reviewed by Ellen Donogh

Jacob Two-Two, the precocious six year old (2+2+2) character created by Mordecai Richler, is an iconic favourite of a whole generation of Canadian children. Cary Fagan’s wonderfully imaginative new book, Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas will appeal to a new generation as they follow Jacob on an action-packed, perilous pirate-attacked voyage from Surrey, England to Montreal. The journey on board the SS Spring-aleak begins with all the original family members, and includes shipmates with unique talents, plus two new friends, Cindy Snootcastle and the massive but kindly Morgenbesser who resides in the engine room. Morgenbesser’s ability to relate to the youngsters and listen closely to their observations leads the reader to rethink who the true villain(s) of the story might be: is it really Scrounger, the first mate with an eye patch and a parrot that spouts laughter inducing phrases like: “Pirates and pickles cost only a nickel!”?
Or the other adults who regularly disbelieve Jacob and Cindy when they tell the truth about what is going on? When the SS Spring-a-leak is attacked by a real pirate ship, Fagan offers a variety of treasures from which the dastardly pirate Crossbones must choose, allowing for some insightful moments leading to an interesting end. Fagan’s engaging characters and his talent for developing dialogue that appeals to budding readers combine effectively with the humorously clever drawings of award-winning illustrator Dušan Petričić. Petričić’s “plus two” chapter marking allows readers to find other ways of expressing number, but it is his new depiction of Jacob and Cary Fagan’s thorough understanding of what adventurous antics appeal to mergent chapter book readers that allows for a most successful rebirth. Dare we hope for more adventures to come?

Canadian Children's Book News (Fall 2009, Vol. 32, No. 4)

[Erin Sterling · Rating 3 out of 5]

The comically absurd adventures of Jacob Two-Two, who is heading to his father's native Canada on the SS Spring-a-Leak. Fun, silly characters such as the self-absorbed, handsome Captain Sparkletooth (who knows about looking at himself in the mirror, but nothing about steering a ship), his sinister first mate Mr. Scrounger, the giant and gentle Morgenbesser (much like the giant in The Princess Bride), and the young, brave daughter of a snooty family, Cindy Snootcastle bring this book to life, with some jokes and references appealing more to adults than children. The almost seven-year-old Jacob and Cindy get put to work by the nefarious Mr. Scrounger unbeknownst to their parents, but luckily are helped out by the friendly giant Morgenbesser. After the boat gets taken over by pirates and their families sent to a deserted island, Jacob and Cindy must help save the day. A short novel based on the character created by Mordecai Richler, the style is somewhat reminiscent of Roald Dahl in its absurdity, foolish parents, and evil villains although it does not quite live up to Dahl's brilliance. Those with a sense of silliness and adventure will enjoy this book.

[Yolanda Ridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good addition to the Jacob Two-Two collection but hard to compare to Mordecai Richler. The adults are not quite as ridiculous or vile and Jacob himself is a little too subdued.