Captain Pepper's Pets — Sally Grindley

Anything but a parrot! Captain Pepper wants a pet. He wants to be different... he wants to be famous... so a boring old parrot just won't do. The fiery captain sets his pirate crew to find the perfect pet. They try a hippopotamus, a monkey,and a leopard â€" each with hilariously disastrous results. Finally, they alight upon a python,and Captain Pepper is delighted -- but the last laugh is on him when his not so cuddly companion has him for dinner! At last his browbeaten crew can sail home in peace. The ideal blend of fun, identifiable characters and strong storyline, with a motley crew of pets and pirates, make this perfect for beginner readers. The I Am Reading series provides just the right balance of challenge and support for newly independent readers. Large, easy-to-read type, satisfying stories by top writers, and cheerful full-color pictures help children make the transition from picture books to chapter books. Each book includes a bookmark flap, tips for beginner readers, and either short, numbered chapters or two short stories.