Alfred and the Pirates by Irving Finkel

Alfred Appletree gets rather too involved in writing a school history project about pirates - not just about the legends but actually trying to find out what they were like. Before he knows it, when he just starts to get into his library research, he's aboard a pirate ship finding out first hand just how hard the life was and what dangers faced all involved.

The life on board a pirate ship is depicted in all it's grimness and violence and how can Alfred escape, or is he trapped on the ship forever.

This captivating book keeps you hooked from begining to end, and the resolution has one cheering for good friends with common sense! (You need to read it to find out why...)

This was illustrated by a teenager - Emily Donegan - with detailed pencil sketches of ships and other seafaring stuff - a talent I hope she continues to develop.

The Princess who Wouldn't Come Home by Irving Finkel

Well, what can I say? I had the pleasure of going to the launch of this new book by Irving Finkel - illustrated by his sister, meeting the author and illustrator, and sharing a delightful evening.

This is a very funny, modern take on fairy tales, but for adults. The Princess Irena decides to leave the stifling life of court in a very northerly monarchy and decamp to London to try to become a painter. This, of course, causes all sorts of problems at home, so the King comes to London and tries to reason with his daughter, but instead of him taking her back home she wins him over to her point of view. The character of the King was my favourite, he is cautious at home as his wife the Queen is very correct and can be rather fierce, but by various devious, amusing ways he wins her too and engineers a suitable fairy tale ending.

This book got me some very strange looks as I was reading it on the train and tube and laughing as I read! It was worth it, do read it!