Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell: A Storybook Adventure

by Helen Docherty, Thomas Docherty (Illustrator)

From the author/illustrator team behind The Snatchabook comes a book-filled adventure on the high seas! Nell is finally a pirate! And she has her trusty Pirate's Almanac to help her sail the seas, even if Captain Gnash doesn't like books on his ship. But when the journey gets rough and the captain is in trouble, it's Nell and all her pirate knowledge that saves the day and leads them to the greatest buried treasure of all…

Genres: Picture Books, Pirates, Childrens, Adventure, Books About Books, Animals, Humor

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Helen Docherty is an internationally published author of many rhyming picture books, including the highly acclaimed Someone Just Like You, illustrated by David Roberts. Helen's books have been translated into 27 languages and staged as plays and musicals for children, in the UK, Germany and Canada. She often collaborates with her husband, the illustrator and author Thomas Docherty, and together they have produced many award-winning picture books, including The Snatchabook, The Storybook Knight ( The Knight Who Wouldn't Fight), Superwolf, Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell, The Screen Thief and Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune. She has also collaborated with many other illustrators, most recently Daniela Sosa, Steven Lenton and Brizida Magro. Helen worked for many years as a language teacher in Mexico City and the UK before becoming an author. She also has an MA in Film and Television Production (Bristol University), which helped to develop her skills in crafting narrative. You can learn more about Helen, her books and story-writing workshops by visiting her website.

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is on my website. www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
Twitter @bookpage5
Oh I absolutely loved this children’s book, that suitable for girls and boys from the ages of 4-7 years. It’s a beautiful book with an adventure fiction about pirates. The first thing I noticed that this book is beautifully top notch illustrated by Thomas Docherty. The picture are bright and lovey, with vibrant characters and lots of gorgeous detail in every page. The wording in the book has cleverly been written so it rhymes.

About the storyline, Nell couldn’t believe her luck when she could join the pirate crew, for her it was a dream come true. But Captain Gnash is not happy Nell reading on his ship. One night Nell finds a bottle floating in the sea with a map inside where secret treasure is buried on an island. The story develops all about finding the hidden treasure, in a way that no children would ever guess how.

This is truly a lovely buy, being one of the best children books published with such amazing story and adorable pictures inside. Even my partner asked me if he could read it which is unusual for him and he never reads anything apart from the sport section in the newspaper. And my partner of course loved it he couldn’t get over it how good this book is.

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell is a book lover who saves the pirates from imminent danger, which she saw coming. Nell always wanted to be a pirate. She would read her Pirate Almanac, which Captain Gnash didn't like at all. No reading time was available in the ship. She spent her days cleaning instead of having her pirate adventures. Everything changed when she saved Captain Gnash and found the location of the treasure.

The pirates were super excited to have found not 1 chest but 20 chest. They were utterly surprise to find the chest didn't hold gold, jewels or diamonds, but they were filled with books. This book will teach children that reading is very important in order to learn and be able to have different adventures. Having to listen to others and working together will keep everyone safe. Books are filled with knowledge that will take you to many unexpected adventures.

[Misty’s Corner Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misty's Corner Review :
RPM's Little Reviews
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Happy Sunday!! Today I'd like to take a moment and introduce a new section of Misty's Corner Reviews... the kiddos' section! Here I'll share our reviews of all of the lovely children's books we receive directly from publishers and NetGalley!
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So, where did we get the name "RPM's Little Reviews"? It's simple, really, the first initial of each of our children's names! Our son, henceforth known as R, is nine years old, and our daughters P & M, are 7 and 3. Their birthdays are coming up; they'll soon be 10, 8, and 4! They are growing up way too fast! Someone, please, make time slow down!!!
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Ok, now on to the review... drumroll, please...
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R(9): I liked the hidden pictures on the front and back covers. The book was very detailed. I especially liked the treasure they found once they started working together. Also, there was at least one animal on every page; those were fun to look at!
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P(7): I think the book was good because there were a lot of colors and pictures. Nell went on all kinds of adventures inside of her books. I really liked what they did with the ship at the end!
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M(3): Predictably, she liked the fact that the captain was a dog.
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My thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book to my kiddos; they were fascinated with Nell's Tales of adventure while I reveled in the sheer amount of book love expressed! Nell loves getting lost in a good book just as much as I do! Luckily this time, she can use her knowledge gained from books to aid her fellow pirate crew on a quest to find the greatest treasure of all. You'll have to read it to discover these hidden gems for yourself! Before I forget, though, I feel that it's important to mention that there's a creative lesson within the pages; to see character progression in a children's book is something every parent loves to see, myself included!
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Thank you, Sourcebooks Kids and Sourcebooks, for our complimentary copy of Pirate Nell's Tale To Tell by Helen Docherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty. We received this free copy through the Sourcebooks Early Reads program and have voluntarily and honestly reviewed this title.

Thanks for reading!
Misty M. @MistysCornerReviews
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[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Illustrated, Well-Rhymed Pirate Story

What an enjoyable book! The first thing I noticed, after having read some children's books that weren’t as well illustrated, were the detailed and whimsical drawings that accompany the text. They perfectly go with it, showing both what is said and side bits that are only seen and appreciated in the illustrations. I like the medium color palette, which was both warm and cool at different times, and the way the illustrator is able to show Nell’s and the other pirates’ emotions and interactions. The story is relatively simple. Nell joins the pirate crew after wanting to be a pirate for a long time. She's read tales of pirates and even the Pirates’ Almanac so she knows how to be one. The captain of the ship scoffs at her book-learned pirate knowledge. While Nell gets along with most of the crew, the captain does not have much appreciation of her. But she finds a treasure map, which instantly interests the captain. They go off in search of the island with the treasure, and of course, there are a few bumps along the way (sometimes helped by Nell’s pirate knowledge). When they get to the island, they discover many treasure chests but are surprised by their contents: books! Nell teaches the pirates how to read, and even the captain comes to appreciate reading, including the previously disparaged Pirates’ Almanac. This book is mostly just a fun, well-illustrated pirate adventure, but it does send the message that books are treasures. I happen to agree. The book is written in rhyming couplets, and the lines scan very well. Oftentimes in children's books that attempt rhyme, the books don't scan and the rhymes are imperfect. This book nails it on both counts, which I love. If you have a child who likes pirate stories or books in general, she or he might enjoy this very well-illustrated and well-rhymed book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nell is off on a pirate adventure, and she has brought her Pirate's Almanac with her, despite Captain Gnash's unhappiness at having books on board. And it's her almanac that saves them all when danger strikes...and eventually brings all the pirates to the best buried treasure of them all (can you guess what that is?!)

A lovely story for all of us who adore books and never stop trying to share them with others, especially the pirates of the world.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy this book from the publisher in August. I read it right away and loved it but not until today I was able to read it to my granddaughters (7 and 3) over Facetime who live in another state. They LOVED it and I loved it even more the second time I read it!
The rhyming and rhythm of the text is so fun and the amazing illustrations took this book to the next level. I highly recommend this fabulous book. Perfect for library storytime! The treasures they find are a delightful surprise!

[Brandon Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell is a wonderfully fun read aloud for kids and adults. The illustrations keep young ones eyes glued to the pages and the easy rhythmic read is music to the ears. Nell is joining the pirate crew and finds she can win over the crew with her stories but has a harder time with the captain. As she continues her adventure, the crew and captain will need Nell and her knowledge to help them navigate sticky situations and find the treasure. The treasure is indeed a wonderful surprise.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Literature Lattes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell" by Helen Docherty is a fun swashbuckling tale about a new treasure hunter named Nell. This children's book follows Nell's quest to become a seasoned member of a pirate crew. With her love of books and her wits, only time will tell if Nell will be able to find the buried treasure!

This book will enchant old and young readers alike. Filled with adventure and glorious illustrations, readers will be captivated and waiting eagerly to see if Nell can find the buried treasure. Our family enjoyed reading the book aloud together as it features lyrical prose and rhyming perfect for the younger audience. Our girls connected with Nell and loved following along on her quest! The ending of the book was our favorite part, and without providing any spoilers... the treasure was well worth the wait! We would highly recommend this book to anyone with children.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky through NetGalley.
Like many kids, Nell could not wait to become a pirate. She had studied books and used her imagination to prepare for the big day. Sadly, the ship's captain was gruff and anti-reading. A major event happened and Nell saved his life; she then led the crew to the treasure - chests of books. Everyone realized how important reading can be and Nell taught them all to read.
Rhyming text that flows smoothly. Illustrations are fun to study.
A terrific read aloud for lower elementary classes.

[Danyel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Sourcebooks for sending me a gifted eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Now let me tell you how absolutely adorable this book is! The illustrations are so good and the story itself is really cute. The whole thing rhymes and the ending of the story has a little pirate treasure plot twist. I thought Nell was a great character with a few really great messages to share. This book is done really well!

[MJ Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirate Nell was beautifully illustrated and fun to read! I really liked how Nell seemed down on her luck, and her dreams of being the kind of pirate she studied in books was lost. It was wonderful to see her find her way through a map, kindness, and her love of reading! What a great message at the end!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

PIRATE NELL'S TALE TO TELL is a charming picture book about Nell, who has always dreamed of being a pirate. She is finally given the chance on Captain Gnash's ship, but it is not exactly what she expected, when her tasks are to clean pots, pans, and the ship. Her handy Pirate's Almanac is along for the ride, but Captain Gnash is anti-reading. Then, Nell finds a treasure map, and uses what she learned in her almanac to save the bullying Captain.

When they find the treasure- a bunch of books, Nell is able to explain to the crew what makes reading so great and teaches them to read themselves.

What I loved: This book is full of rhyming charm. I love the way the text rolled off the tongue so smoothly. It is fun both to read and to listen to. The overall plot is pretty cute, with being a pirate not all the adventures it seemed, and Nell stands strong against a bully (Captain Gnash) and even saves him when he goes overboard in a storm. The message about the power of reading and books is a fun one that will appeal to young readers.

The illustrations are absolutely fantastic with lots of lovely details and many colors that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There are a relatively high number of pictures to words, which can make the pages turn quickly, but each illustration is so fantastic that children will want to look at them for longer.

What left me wanting more: There is bullying from the Captain who says some not-nice things to Nell. It's relatively minor, and he does come around, but might be tough for sensitive children. As another small thing, he also tells her to clean up the bird poop, which will make children giggle, but be prepared for repetition.

Final verdict: Overall, a charming high-seas adventure that ties in reading and the power of following your dreams, PIRATE NELL'S TALE TO TELL is sure to delight young readers.

Please note that I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pirate adventure filled with all the swash buckling excitement that make young eyes light up with glee. I've really loved reading Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell especially as I had an enthusiastic little helper with me to point out all the exciting pictures and vibrant colours. My little granddaughter was perfectly content to let me turn the pages, listening to the story, and taking an interest in Pirate Nell's grand adventure.

The story is beautifully told in verse, which is both poetical and lyrical, and yet, short and snappy enough to keep the interest alive of even the youngest child. I loved the pictures, especially Nell, she's such a feisty wee thing, and more than a match for the rather taciturn old sea dog, Captain Gnash, who, right from the start, seems to want to scupper Nell's enthusiasm, and joie de vivre.

Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell has everything needed for an adventure which is rich in imagery, bright with imagination, and a good solid story, which I am sure will appeal to both children and adults alike. Although the book is recommended for ages 4 years upwards, my little granddaughter, aged thirteen months, found much to enjoy as Granny turned the pages. We both had great fun looking for Pirate Nell, discovering seascapes, observing brightly coloured birds, and searching for buried treasure.

I am sure that Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell is one of those lovely stories that we will return to again and again, cheering Pirate Nell on, as she, Captain Gnash, and the all crew go in search of buried treasure in a grand storybook adventure on the high seas.

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Nell’s big day. Her wish has finally been granted. She’s a pirate!

She brings along her Pirate’s Almanac, a book she’s studied forward and backward until she knows everything about being a pirate. She tries to share the book with Captain Gnash, but he frowns on reading. Nor is her grand adventure quite what she envisioned. Her days are spent scrubbing pots and swabbing the deck. Yet the crew enjoys the many tales she spins at night just before they go to sleep.

One night while on deck, Nell retrieves a bottle floating in the water. Inside is a treasure map, which Captain Gnash confiscates. Even though he hasn’t a clue as to where the buried treasure is, he sets off to find it, encountering troubles and perils along the way.

This captivating book demonstrates that gold and silver don’t always make the best treasure and, sometimes, even the newest pirate makes important contributions both to the ship and the quest. Complimenting the story is the vibrant color artwork that provides young pirates with treasures galore to find, such as Captain Gnash’s boneleg (a pegleg made out of a bone) or the lurking sea serpent. One of my favorite illustrations depicts the ship and crew tossed about during a storm. Another is what Nell and her mates do with the treasure. This rhyming tale will delight young and old alike, and is sure to be a young pirate’s favorite tale of adventure aboard a pirate ship.

[Karissa Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell! My five-year-old gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, a full five stars.

First of all, it’s incredibly easy to read. The rhyming flows so naturally, and I was never tripped up by anything awkward or clunky, which really matters when you’re reading out loud.

Second, the story itself is just so good. At its heart, it shows that reading isn’t just for fun, it’s powerful. It builds knowledge, sparks imagination, and can even be life saving. Nell is an awesome protagonist who models exactly what we want our kids to see: follow your dreams, keep going when things don’t go as planned, and be brave even when things feel scary.

And the message about books is something I really love. Nell doesn’t just love reading, she shares it. She creates a traveling free library, turning a whole pirate ship into a place where stories are accessible to everyone. It’s such a fun, imaginative twist on the little neighborhood book boxes we see, and it really drives home the idea that books can open entire worlds.

This one is an easy add to your shelf. It’s the kind of book I would happily read again and again without getting bored. And the illustrations are absolutely beautiful, detailed and intricate in a way that lets you notice something new every time you read it again.

Highly recommend.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell loved reading about pirates, and she really wanted to be one. Her wish finally comes true and she is working on a ship under Captain Gnash. Now Captain Gnash is not very smart and when Nell tries to help him using what she knows from her trusty almanac he is not happy. Books do not belong on his ship! When Nell finds a bottle floating in the sea that has a treasure map in it, Captain Gnash confiscates it and heads his ship off to find the treasure. Unfortunately, there is one disaster after another. It is Nell's knowledge and trusty almanac that saved the day. The ending has an awesome twist that I loved. The story is written in rhyme with a wonderful cadence that makes it a great read aloud. Thomas Docherty does an amazing job with the illustrations. They are inviting, large, colourful and full of detail. We spent a lot of time looking at them and talking about what they contain. They added much to this wonderful story with a great message. We, the grandkids and I, enjoyed this one a lot. I definitely recommend it to everyone. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in rhyming verse with a steady rhythm and exciting use of language, Pirate Nells’ Tale To Tell follows plucky, adventurous, book-loving Nell as she follows her dream of becoming a pirate. Even though the work is hard, discouraging and tedious and her captain is selfish, mean and allows no reading on his ship, Nell stays strong, brave and happy. She keeps up her spirits and those of the crew with her tales of pirate daring and treasure. And throughout, there is a positive, dynamic message about reading and the power of books. It is such fun to read!
The illustrations are wondrous! Filled with colour and vibrancy, they create a feeling of sailing across the seas. The expressions on all the characters’ faces and the postures and stances of their bodies give a sense of individual personalities and moods. The attention to detail on each and every page make sure there’s always something surprising to notice and ensuring the reader will spend time, reaping new rewards with every read.
I can’t praise this picture book enough! Exciting, fantastic, warm and happy, this is a story that encourages and revels in the joy of reading. A pirates’ treasure chest of delights!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books are a treasure as all librarians and educators know, and after reading this book (or better yet having it read to them), young children everywhere will know it, too. Husband and wife team Helen and Thomas Docherty bring young pirate wanna-be Nell to life on the pages of this beautiful picture book, perfect to start the school year. She loves to read and tell exciting stories, but also learns many things from her reading that save her pirate captain’s life and help the crew weather a storm and find the buried treasure—books! The artwork is detailed and gives care-givers so many opportunities for vocabulary development and creative thought. I can’t wait to share this with my students! Thanks, Sourcebooks, for sending me a copy of this wonderful book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute but heavy-handed book about a little want-to-be pirate Nell. She joins the crew to have adventures, but is regulated to cleaning decks, and washing dishes.

And because she studies her almanac, and learns about maps, and steering ships, and saving lives, she is able to use all this to have her grand adventure where the crew finds a treasure, which happens to be books.

I mean it is cute that Nell saves the day through reading, and that the best treasure is books, but wow, hit us over the head with it.

Other than that, a cute story. Nice illustrations.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Angela Kreais · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute children’s book about the importance of reading. Great gift idea for any little pirate lover. Colorful illustrations with animal pirates and sea creatures working and playing in dramatic detail that adds to the simple story. The adventure is told in rhymes about a girl with an almanac filled with ideas on how life on a boat will be and how the lessons she’s learned from reading save the day and lead to treasure.

[Karlie Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fantastic children's book. Nell is an adorable, smart, little pirate. She loves adventures and reads a lot. The book is full of detailed pictures that kids will love looking through and the rhymes are great. Highly recommend! Very cute story. Good for girls & boys.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Sourcebooks Early Reads in exchange for my honest review.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There's treasure right here in these pages!
These books are like a magic key
to other worlds, beyond the sea.
They'll whiz you off to places new.
They'll make you gasp, and giggle too.
They'll teach you things you never knew!"

Cute pirate picture book with great rhythm and rhyme. It's a bit long for a storytime, but lower elementary school teachers and librarians could definitely use this one in school.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell" was perfect. I love a story in rhyme and the illustrations were perfect for the story. Also, any story that uses "whippersnap" is pretty much a five-star automatically (to me, anyway.) I loved it, and it will be great for story time. (Finding out what the treasure was - awesome.)

[Joy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell dreams of great adventures. She decides that becoming a pirate is the way to go. Of course being a well read person she also brings her almanac. While the other pirates make fun of her, it is Nell and her ability to read maps that helps them find a long lost treasure. Told in rollicking rhyme this story has a unexpected twist at the end.

[Emma M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a fun read for both pirate 🏴‍☠️ and book fans alike!
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Nell carries around her Pirate's Almanac despite the captain telling her there is, "No time for reading on this ship!"⁠
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Her reading habit ends up saving the ship and crew and brings them to the ultimate buried treasure. . . .⁠📚

[MJ Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirate Nell was beautifully illustrated and fun to read! I really liked how Nell seemed down on her luck, and her dreams of being the kind of pirate she studied in books was lost. It was wonderful to see her find her way through a map, kindness, and her love of reading! What a great message at the end!

[Bookworm4Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell's dream of being a pirate has finally come true! Even if Captain Gnash doesn't see the value in books, Nell is happy with her new life on board his ship. One night, Nell finds a treasure map and soon the whole crew sets off on a journey towards treasure. But when trouble begins to rise, it's up to Nell and all her pirate knowledge to save the day.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute children's book with lots of rhyming words. The characters and illustrations are fun especially if you enjoy stories about pirates. I love that this book encourages a love for reading and books!

[Jason Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun picture book. My daughter and I enjoyed it. The Docherty's are on a mission to encourage children (and parents) to read, and Pirate Nell is the latest character to anchor this mission. The pirate inspires a motley crew to seek a unique treasure!