He’s Back and He Means Business: Review of Atticus Van Tasticus #2 The Map of Half Maps by Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King

We first met Atticus Van Tasticus when the 10-year-old decided to become a pirate in Atticus Van Tasticus! An unusual choice however it is the 1750s…

As part of an ancient family tradition, young Atticus Van Tasticus narrowly escapes a life down the coal mines – or worse, going to school – when he gets to choose the gift of a pirate ship from his Grandnan’s treasure pile. And so, begins his hilarious adventures.

In The Map of Half Maps, Atticus Van Tasticus is back with a new map and a new plan.

‘Ship ahoy, Captain! Ship ahoy!’

The action comes thick and fast and within the first few pages Atticus and his crew are faced with the imminent approach of a Devil ship. It doesn’t look friendly and is headed in their direction. And then it gets worse – it’s not a Devil ship it’s a Viking ship…

What will they do? The pressure is on for Captain Atticus – running and hiding seems the best option. In the deepest, darkest soupiest fog would be the best place but that also means visibility is poor. Being hit by another ship or attacked with no warning are major risk factors. Things are looking grim but when Captain Half Map bumps into them their likelihood of finding treasure starts to look up.

This series is a lot of fun to read with plenty of opportunity to act out scenes and practice pirate voices. The fantastic illustrations by Stephen Michael King make this a thoroughly enjoyable and accessible read. Budding illustrators will be pleased to find detailed instructions on how to draw a Viking ship in the back of the book and running throughout there is a highly amusing cartoon subplot Stowaway Puppy and Stealth Baby.

We had Andrew Daddo in for a podcast when book #1 was released and it’s clear that the energy and humour that are part of these books come naturally to him. The stories are filled with imagination, he has fun playing with the language and the result is highly engaging for the 7+ reader. If they enjoyed the Treehouse series, they’ll love this.

You might also be interested in the competition that has been launched for the release of the second book in the series and to celebrate Puffin’s 80^th anniversary – one lucky school in Australia can win a school mural, painted by Stephen Michael King. Find out more and enter the competiotn at the Penguin website here.

There is a third instalment in the works and you can expect to see that on shelves this September.