Barbarossa Pirate Ship from LetterboxUK #review

This is quite simply the pirate ship of all pirate ships! When Kieran opened the parel from Letterbox UK, well I think we can safely say he was pleased?

In all honesty, I’m not sure who was more excited, Kieran or me! This is a beautiful natural wood and painted ship which is of obvious quality, sturdy (most important when it sails off the coffee table “by accident”) and has a working canon! For those now panicking, it’d not a very powerful canon, no windows would be broken! Kieran has literally spent hours making lego figures and pirates alike walk the plank, has conquered the seven seas and looted more treasure than one 5yr old boy knows what to do with. Possibly the cutest thing I’ve seen in a while was Kieran taking his friend by the hand when he arrived for a playdate and whispering theatrically”You have to come upstairs… I have a real life pirate ship, a PROPER one!”

Suffice to say, the Barbarossa Pirate Ship is a big hit!

Priced at £43 this is a fantastic home or gift item that will go the distance! Gorgeous to look at, fantastic for getting the imagination going and made to last, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone. The only drawback is that the pirates don’t come with the ship but these are available separately here, or as Kieran has – you can use pirate figures or any figures you already have. We have had a mixture of pirates, superheroes and lego robbers walking the planks or being locked in the hold for their hideous crimes!

The Barbarossa Pirate Ship really should be up at the top of this year’s “Must haves” for Christmas. I’ll be surprised if it isn’t.

For full product information visit the LetterboxUK website, and don’t forget to say hello to them on Twitter to be kept up to date with current special offers and news.

As you were you scurvy sea-dogs!

 

Watchman William, Ghost Detective #Book Review

I’ve posted many times about how Kieran is a keen reader and loves to explore the world and new ideas through books. We are regular library visitors and have a great time choosing and reading books together. Every so often we come across something really good (or as Kieran says “cool”) and this book is right up there on the coolness scale!

For age 5+ this is the exciting story of Thomas and his ghost friend William who together are a dynamic (and at times amusing!) crime investigative team!

Kieran turned 5yrs in July and I’m told at school is above national average for reading. He couldn’t read this book independently, reading parts on his own but needing us to read the majority with him, however he understood the plot perfectly and enjoyed it all. It has been a favourite bedtime story adventure, chapter by chapter. As a parent I would recommend this is a fun book which kids will be itching to pick up and continue with. Kieran’s opinion:

I like this book, it’s really cool. I like William, he’s not a scary ghost, he’s Thomas’ friend and they are detectives. Some bits are funny and I liked the people in the book. I can read some bits on my own but Mummy & Daddy help with all the hard words. I like all the clues in the book, I think I could be a proper spy now!“. This is high praise. trust me.

Watchman William – Ghost Detective (Diana Shaw) has a RPP of £5.99 and is available from major retailers and on Amazon (currently reduced!).

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“I’m William and I’m wearing these clothes because I was a night watchman at the time of Good Queen Bess. I’m a ghost you see!”

With his young friend Thomas, and a great detective for inspiration, William sets out to investigate mysterious happenings in and around hardleigh manor, all with a little helps from his readers…

Can William stop the bucycle thief? Who is causing the sabotage at Hardleigh Hotel? Floods, false trails, enormous exploding marrows and suspect upended in pig swill – all in a day’s work for William!

Loaded with clue summaries, suspect lists and lots of action, readers can pitch in with the detective work and help William and thomas in their efforts to become great detectives.

Published by Inside Pocket.