Tough Boris
Written by: Mem Fox
Illustrated by: Kathryn Brown
Recommended for ages: 4-9
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Boris van der Birch is a scruffy and fearless pirate. This easy to read book features repetitive text which describes pirates as mean, tough etc. Yet, Boris shows his tender side, crying when his parrot dies. The magnificent watercolors paint a bigger picture. Boris and his crew dig up a buried treasure and squabble over a violin. The cabin boy entertains the pirates with the musical instrument but is caught stealing it. At the end of the story the sad cabin boy is exiled but is still clutching the precious violin. Tough Boris is a wonderful tale full of adventure and feelings.