Bash and the Pirate Pig

Bash #1

by Burton W. Cole, Tom Bancroft (Illustrations)

Written for boys 8 to 14, Bash and the Pirate Pig is the story of a cranky city kid named Raymond “Beamer” Boxby who must spend summer vacation at his younger cousin Bash Hinglehobb’s farm.

Beamer prefers air conditioning and video games. He can’t see what good can come of this so-called country fun that includes riding cows, river rafting with a pig, or playing with skunks.

But hang tight, Beamer, because Bash’s zany adventures with his "Fishin' and Farmin' book" (The Bible) just might lead to the coolest Discovery of all.

Genres: Christian Fiction

210 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Burton Cole is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and humor columnist with thirty years of experience and more than fifty humor writing awards to his credit. He grew up on a farm in northeast Ohio and attended a small-town church with a slew of cousins and buddies. That same boyhood inspires his colorful and zany stories today.

Reviews

[Yo Leo Ficción Cristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOL COMPLETA

This book makes me want to be a kid again.

The story is told from the point of view of Raymond "Beamer", a city kid, used to reading comics, eating potato chips and lying on the couch all day; and when he’s sent to the farm to take care of his cousin Bash, his world is turned upside down.

Unlike Beamer, Bash is a very naughty, adventurous and inventive child. Bash can make the slightest activity becomes a feat and it drives Beamer crazy.

Between games, laughter, mischief and disaster, Beamer learns that Bash sees God in a very simple way and different from adults.

Although this book is for children, I enjoyed reading it because it’s not only the story is captivating, but also has a great message.

I admit that I avoided reading this in public because in some parts I couldn’t help myself laughing with the adventures of these children and the innocence with which Bash perceives the world.

Bash is a very cute character who has his own method of philosophizing, and that leads us to reflection -whether you're an adult or child- because as he says: "Philosophizing. It means figuring out the answers to all the questions that no one asked". In addition, through his peculiar imagination, we learn that adults have ignored the innocence with which we should view life.

There are many biblical texts, so that help readers relate the adventures of Bash and Beamer with the Bible. Thus, biblical texts are explained with the experiences of these children.

One of the many things that this book made me think about, is the fact that we are often too focused on our lives in the city. Sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to enjoy the nature that God created, and if we do, we’ve become so used to it and we just didn’t enjoy it. But through this story, I realized how little I thanked God for His creation.

So this is not just a book for children. If you're an adult and want to see the world through the innocent eyes of children, then read this amazing novel.

-Copy provided by the publisher but this fact didn’t influence the review-

[LK Hunsaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up mainly because the author is local and super friendly with an easy-going demeanor, so I figured his young adult humor for kids might make a good gift for someone I know in that age range.

Grab this for your kid/grandkid! Bash and Raymond are total opposites, the what-could-be-cliché mismatch of the city kid versus the country kid, except that it's truly hilarious and there's nothing at all cliché in the story. Cole's imagination had me shaking my head and even chuckling at times. There is religion meshed in with the adventure and that may turn some parents away, but I found it non-preachy and open and welcoming, the way religion should be (IMO), and it's scattered among not-so-normal antics of young boys and the animals that have to deal with them. That poor mother might deserve sainthood.

Written for 11-14 year olds and specifically boys, I think it should have a much broader audience. It might not hurt adults to give it a try and unwind in the humor and the reminders of youth, as well.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bash and Beamer are about as opposite as cousins can get. Bash is from the country, loves the outdoors, and his idea of a good time is riding a cow down the highway to the local ice cream shop. Beamer is from the city, loves the indoors and video games and comic books, and wouldn't be caught dead riding a cow down the highway to anywhere.

When Beamer is dropped off by his parents to spend the entire summer with his nutball cousin, he has no idea the adventures and antics he's in store for. Bash's quiet faith rubs off on Beamer, however, even in the midst of near-death adventure.

I read this one to my eleven year old John, who couldn't wait for me to read the sequel to him.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

City kid Raymond "Beamer" Boxby is sent to spend summer on the farm with his cousin Sebastian "Bash" Hinglehobber. Ray is supposed to keep his three-months-younger cousin out of trouble, but more often than not, Ray is in the middle of the mess that Bash dreams up. Ray spends a good bit of the summer in a constant state of disgruntlement, irritated that he gets yelled at just as much as Bash, and why won't Bash just listen to him, and how much longer does he have to stay there, and he can't WAIT to get home to his comic books and video games and places where there are convenience stores with snacks nearby.

But as the summer goes on, Ray listens to what Bash tells another boy about what he knows from his Farmin' and Fishin' Book (the Bible). He wonders, why does Bash enjoy life so much, even when he's in trouble? Can Jesus get rid of this cold yucky feeling I have? Can I learn to like the adventure of life, too?

This is a delightful book! I read it with my 10-year-old (he likes to draw while mom reads to him), and it is a hoot. We laughed out loud at Bash's antics many times, and we've ordered the other two books in the series. The story talks about faith in Jesus and how to be saved, but it isn't preachy. Bash talks about his faith in the God he knows personally in a gentle, conversational way that I'd like to emulate.

The book is good, clean reading for kids, and fun for parents to read along with them, too. I highly recommend it. We liked it so much, we're giving copies of all three books to my son's class at school for their library.

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids (5, 7, 9) are already begging for the next book in the series. This story is full of lots of fun moments, crazy situations and imaginative boyhood. Beamer and Bash get into all kinds of mischievous adventures - from floating pigs on ponds to riding cows down the highway to get an ice cream.

There is also a spiritual heart to this book that explains in Bash language about God and Jesus and the Bible and how to get saved.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! My boys loved it! It's hilarious and introduces scripture through Bash and Beamer's adventures without being forced or boring. Parenting win!

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

Written for boys 8 to 14, Bash and the Pirate Pig is the story of a cranky city kid named Raymond “Beamer” Boxby who must spend summer vacation at his younger cousin Bash Hinglehobb’s farm.

Beamer prefers air conditioning and video games. He can’t see what good can come of this so-called country fun that includes riding cows, river rafting with a pig, or playing with skunks.

But hang tight, Beamer, because Bash’s zany adventures with his "Fishin' and Farmin' book" (The Bible) just might lead to the coolest Discovery of all.



About the Author:
Burton Cole is a Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist with thirty years of experience and more than fifty humor writing awards to his credit. He grew up on a farm in northeast Ohio and attended a smalltown church with a slew of cousins and buddies. That same boyhood inspires his colorful stories today.


My Review:

Bash and the Pirate Pig , is a very sweet book not only for children but for adults as well. The comical writing had me chuckling the whole way through. Raymond "Beamer" Boxby is a city kid, couch potato that hates anything besides chips and video games. He isn't too thrilled with the idea of spending the summer with his cousin Sebastian nicknamed Bash. But his parents are too concerned with his lazy attitude, so to try to revive him, they send him to Uncle Rollie and Aunt Tillie's farm for boyhood adventure.

I love Bash's sense of adventure. He reminds me alot of my boys and all the mischief they get into on a daily basis. The writing in Bash and the Pirate Pig is very zany and quirky. And it is sure to inspire your children as well. Bash has always got a new invention sure to knock your socks off. Come along and join Bash and Beamer as they embark on a journey together during a summer they will never forget.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me for free for my honest review from Flyby Promotions.

[Michelle Kaderly Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family and I read Bash and the Pirate Pig aloud the first time, and then my daughters reread it a few times on their own. We have encouraged friends to pick up their own copy or to check it out at the library. A few friends want to borrow our copy.

We laughed our way through the book which we didn't want to put down. Adults and kids will enjoy it. We are looking forward to reading more about Bash and Beamer and their wild adventures. They have quite the imaginations.

While this book is fun, it also has an encouraging message: you can still learn a lot from a super crazy cousin.

We love Burton Cole's humor and look forward to reading more of his books.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't help but love this book and all its characters.

I'm the kind of person who enjoys reading and living the books, that's why I usually end up laughing or crying aloud... That's why I usually feel kind of embarrassed because people see me as a total freak. And that's WHY I didn't read this in public...

At home I was laughing and laughing because of Bash and Beamer, and how crazy their adventures were.
I'm totally in love with this book and I'm committed to continue the series to the end.

[Elise Haroldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I snagged this book as a present for my 9-year-old, and he consumed it in a day. So, I had to read it to know what had him giggling so much!

Raymond ("Beamer") is sent to spend the summer with his cousin Sebastian ("Bash") on his farm. The hilarity begins the moment he arrives. Each page is filled with laugh-out-loud events, crazy antics, and teenage boy shenanigans. With chapter titles "The Slingshot and David's Zoo" and "Secret Agent Skunk," you know you are in for a wild ride.

The book also contains sweet snippets of faith and lessons of grace sprinkled throughout. This would be the perfect read-aloud book for your family. Parent Connection questions and scriptures are provided at the end for you to review with your kids to help your children apply the lessons they learn in the book.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Christian Middle Grade book!
Wacky farm adventures!
The Roman Road to salvation!
Skunks and calves and pirate pigs, oh my!

[Cindy Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bash and the Pirate Pig, by Burton Cole, is the story of city couch potato, Raymond "Beamer" Boxby who prefers to spend his time inside with a bag of his favorite potato chips and a stack of comic books. To his horror, he learns that his parents have decided he needs to spend the summer getting fresh air, sunshine, and exercise...visiting his cousin on the farm!!

Sebastian "Bash" Hinglehobb is a bundle of energy who has a wild imagination and manages to convince others to join in his adventures...like letting his "riding pig", aka Gulliver J. McFrederick the Third, be the Admiral of the flotilla they assemble for their various human and animal friends> What could possibly go wrong?

Beamer feels doomed to be dragged into one scheme after another, and is also puzzled that Bash only has one book that he reads and quotes from regularly. His "Fishin' and Farmin' book" (The Bible) seems weird to Beamer, but by the end of the summer he discovers that the Book isn't quite so boring after all and has the answers to questions he just hadn't asked yet.

This book is a really fun read that is sure to entertain boys, and probably a few girls. I laughed at several of the things the boys got into and loved the perpetual optimism and odd sense of logic Bash had at all times. If your child has a wild imagination too, you may want to give a stern warning, "Do NOT Try This!", but it is mostly good, messy fun...and brought back a few memories of my own childhood. It reminded me a bit of one of my childhood favorites, Tom Sawyer. I also love the way the Bible is integrated into the story in a way that is perfectly natural. Bash simply "owned" his faith at an early age and is always ready to give an answer when questioned. Book is recommended for ages 8-14.

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of this book by FlyBy Promotions at no charge to me for review purposes. I was not required to give a good review or to promote anything I cannot recommend.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and original characters, "Bash and the Pirate Pig" offers up a unique read for your pre-teen children. While primarily aimed at the male audience, I have no doubt that both girls and boys will appreciate the non-stop action contained in the pages of this book. The characters are absolutely full of life, and young readers are sure to have their attention captured from start to finish. I should warn you that your children may come up with all sorts of crazy ideas to try out after spending time with Raymond Boxby and Bash Hinglehobb. In fact, you may want to hand a copy of the book to your children with the disclaimer that they need to ask you before acting out any of Bash's wild ideas! However, you can also be confident that your children will walk away with a clear gospel message that is cleverly woven into the story, including an example of a prayer that children (or their parents) can pray in giving their life to Jesus. Other valuable lessons include appreciating the gift of friendship, or learning about the importance of prayer.

"Bash and the Pirate Pig" is not only an entertaining book that will have your children smiling or out-right laughing, but it is also full of eternal truths that make this story worth reading more than once. I strongly recommend this book and award it 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer - I received a free copy of this product from FlyBy Promotions and B&H Kids in exchange for my honest opinion shared in this review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family. I'm including this disclaimer in accordance with FTC Guidelines and Regulations.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts: Get ready for some down-on-the-farm, slap-stick, tickle-you-in-the-ribs, and boy-talk that'll cause your gag reflex to kick in. When city boy and country boy get up to mischief on the farm, it gets pretty exciting.

There seems no limit to the antics that Bash can dream up and it is usually at the expense of his city cousin "Ray-Ray Beamer." Nearly drowning in the pond, wrapping another "friend" with fly paper, riding cows down the road (I said cows, not horses or mules). And the beat goes on and on and on. City cousin is finally up off the couch and away from the computer game and he is busy just trying to exist without falling into some dire state.

Now what didn't I like about it? Well, I don't care for kids calling folks stupid, etc. So some of the slang could have been deleted and other suitable words in their place. Other than that, it was superbly written for a boy's book and one that will, as I said earlier, tickle-you-in-the-ribs. Also, I liked that though Bash was mischievous and very inventive, he loved the Lord and shared the plan of Salvation with others.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy for the purpose of review. Opinions are solely my own.

[Tiffany DeOs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently got the chance to review this super cute book Bash and the Pirate Pig by Burton W. Cole. This is a great chapter book for ages 8 to 14. Raymond is a city kid who loves to eat chips on the couch while reading comic books. He's excited to spend his summer this way but his parents have other plans. He is going to spend the summer with his crazy cousin Bash on the farm.

Bash is a crazy, fun loving kid always getting into trouble but enjoying every minute of it. The summer starts off with Bash convincing Raymond that cow tipping is true. It just crazier from there. But throughout the summer Raymond comes to learn how to have fun and more importantly comes to know the Lord.

The stories in this book are hilarious and any young boy should love it. Lots of crazy shenanigans and farm fun with great lessons to be learned along the way. I highly recommend this book and honestly I can't wait for the next instalment in Spring 2014.

I received a free copy of this product from Flyby Promotions in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.