Yolen, Jane. Commander Toad and the Space Pirates. Pictures by Bruce Degen. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 1987.

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Summary

It’s been a long trip, and Commander Toad and the crew of the Star Warts are bored. They’ve played all the games and watched all the movies and read all the books on the ship. Suddenly the alarm goes off–pirates are coming aboard, led by Commander Salamander, Scourge of the Skies and Goon of the Galaxies. Is the crew going to have to play his favorite game–Hop the Plank?

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My Kid Review

With nods to Star Wars and Star Trek, Jane Yolen has created an easy reader for first or second graders with a space theme. In this Commander Toad book, the crew are bored but have to spring into action when a space pirate ship approaches and they are boarded. Written in verse, most young children will enjoy the action of the story. The illustrations of Bruce Degen compliment the text well and will help draw children into the story. 

Some audiences may not think the skull and crossbones flag (the Jolly Roger) is appropriate for their audience.

I encourage K-12 Christian school librarians to review this book themselves to determine if it is appropriate for their audience.

I received a complimentary copy of Commander Toad and the Space Pirates. This is my honest review.

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