A fierce, red-headed little woman lives on a house on the end of a very long pier.
She has a curious house. In the summertime, she can open a trapdoor in her floor and plunge into the ocean for a swim in the briny deep. In the winter, she can sit by her fire and throw a fishing line down the trapdoor hole and fish for dinner.
One stormy day, a wicked pirate appears on the pier. He taps on the window. Not used to visitors, the fierce little woman looks up from her knitting and thinks it’s only the wind. But the impatient pirate taps again.
“Who’s there?” asks the woman.
A wicked pirate! And he wants to come in! but the fierce little woman tells him to go away if he knows what’s good for him.
The pirate becomes miffed and knocks on the door, but the feisty lass again tells him to go away. Not to be ignored, the pirate tries the trap door under the house, but the fiery woman tells him she’ll tie him in fishing line and throw him in the ocean if he doesn't go away!
Finally, the pirate tries a different tack. He may not be a wicked pirate after all. He is actually a lonely pirate, in need of a good meal and warm socks. The heart of the fierce woman softens and she opens the trap door.
The grateful pirate accepts a hot drink and a pair of knitted socks. He is so impressed by the cosiness of the cottage and warmth of the woman, he asks her to be his bride.
Three kids later, this unlikely couple are living a glorious life in the house at the end of the pier. They swim in the summer and fish in the winter and have a wonderful life together.
And the best thing of all? The fierce little woman remains fierce.
This poignant story with its strong heroine is a wonderful way for kids to enjoy non-traditional roleplay in a magical setting. Illustrations by talented Sarah Davies do not disappoint, and lend a poignancy and emotion that will truly mist the eyes. Her paintings are utterly magical, and perfectly bring together a story that will remain with the reader . . . hopefully forever.
Title: The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate
Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Sarah Davis
Publisher: Gecko Press, $24.99
Publication Date: April 2011
ISBN: 9781877467417
Format: Hard cover
For ages: 5 - 10
Type: Picture Book
Buy this book right now at The Nile!
Buy this book right now at The Nile!
