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Murray and Bun! #3
Murray the Pirate
Escape through the magic cat flap and join your new favorite cat and bunny duo as they face off against a grumpy pirate captain, uncover a secret treasure map, and attempt to escape MONSTER ISLAND. Fans of Bad Guys will giggle their way through this illustrated and purr-fectly charming chapter book series.
Murray is a cat. He loves naps and blankets and snacks.
Bun is a bunny. He loves…EVERYTHING!
They have a magic cat flap. Sometimes it leads to the garden, but mostly it leads to…ADVENTURE!
When Murray and Bun travel through the cat flap, they find themselves in a land of PIRATES! It's high stakes on the high seas when Murray and Bun are kidnapped by the dreaded pirate Captain Patch. And once they discover a secret map that takes them to MONSTER ISLAND, it's up to Murray and Bun to dig up the buried treasure--or risk walking the plank.
Award-winning author-illustrator Adam Stower sails straight into hijinks in this humorous illustrated series. And don't miss the bonus content that includes a postcard from Murray, Murray's Family Album, and much more!
“Hilarious … A joy to read whatever your age” – David Walliams
Murray is a cat. He loves naps and blankets and snacks.
Bun is a bunny. He loves…EVERYTHING!
They have a magic cat flap. Sometimes it leads to the garden, but mostly it leads to…ADVENTURE!
When Murray and Bun travel through the cat flap, they find themselves in a land of PIRATES! It's high stakes on the high seas when Murray and Bun are kidnapped by the dreaded pirate Captain Patch. And once they discover a secret map that takes them to MONSTER ISLAND, it's up to Murray and Bun to dig up the buried treasure--or risk walking the plank.
Award-winning author-illustrator Adam Stower sails straight into hijinks in this humorous illustrated series. And don't miss the bonus content that includes a postcard from Murray, Murray's Family Album, and much more!
“Hilarious … A joy to read whatever your age” – David Walliams
192 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2026
About the author
Adam Stower
119 books35 followersAdam completed a BA in Illustration at Norwich and an MA in Narrative Illustration at Brighton where he now lives and works. Adam is now represented by Arena agency.
Adam has a passion for drawing and a great love of traditional illustration. He specialises in fiction for children, editorial, character development and product design.
from http://www.worldofadam.com/main.htm
Adam has a passion for drawing and a great love of traditional illustration. He specialises in fiction for children, editorial, character development and product design.
from http://www.worldofadam.com/main.htm
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 9, 2025
I love this series so much, it is always so sweet and the illustrations are lovely. I have always been a big fan of pirates so this one might be my personal favourite! Cannot wait for number 4!
May 6, 2026
Trop mignon ! Toute librairie qui se respecte doit avoir cette série dans sa section jeunesse 😍
May 9, 2026
MAIS PURÉE J’ADORE (encore)
March 12, 2026
The newest laugh out loud book in the Murray and Bun series! This time a lot of ARRRRR, tons of fishes, and treasure!
I was so excited to see this one pop up at my nearby library and in ENGLISH even! Last time they only added the Dutch version so I am delighted that this time I can read a new Murray in English!
In this one Murray wakes up to a sneezing bun and finds out that his kitchen is now the garden. Or well, an extension of it. Yup. His wizard owner is once again doing his wonky magic again. And Murray just wants to sleep, eat, sleep some more, maybe laze around in the garden. But with a wizard as owner no day is the same. Add to that the whole magicked cat door. Which may lead to the garden and thus sunny grassy wonder or it leads to a whole new time/adventure. Murray is generally hoping for a non-adventure. But as we see in this one he is off to a new adventure again!
In this one we teleport to a whole new adventure this time with pirates! I just loved how we got directly into it. With Murray in his pirate outfit wandering across town and getting all sorts of things and not getting the clue that it is because he is a pirate and people think he is going to rob them. That made me laugh, especially because he was just so darn polite about it all. He was all thank yous and pleases and I was like MURRAY, please! Boy, open your eyes! And that is just the start because then there are pirates (with hilarious names and maybe hope for a different job) and that leads to a big treasure hunt adventure to a spooky island (with a banana rock and a skull rock, yup, two cool rocks) to something even bigger!
I love how Murray is terrified of many things but he still does it, often with a little motivation by either someone or Bun, but I count it. He could have just lain on the floor and waited for the adventure to be over or try every door in the town to find his way back home (as that is generally how he has gotten home), but instead he goes for the adventure and he tries new things. He thinks of solutions for problems and tries to help everyone, it was so sweet.
And the ending was also perfection, both with the pirate adventure and then back at home!
Bun, well, I don’t mind the critter that much, Bun. He is still a bit annoying in my eyes (I am sorry OK, I am just not a fan of magical companions), but also adorable and I love how he tries to help Murray and how good of a friend he is. He really sticks around (and yes, this can be taking literally as he is still a bunny who was a bun).
The illustrations are just fab. Again, I love the style but I also love how interactive it is and at times feels like a movie. Sometimes you just have a scene that gets like 8 pages with on each two pages a scene with just a bit different thing. Like when Bun and Murray had to walk the plank! It just adds to the story and I love it.
All in all, this was once again a hit! I really had oodles of fun reading this one and I am happy that more books are coming out with this little cat and his big magical adventures.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was so excited to see this one pop up at my nearby library and in ENGLISH even! Last time they only added the Dutch version so I am delighted that this time I can read a new Murray in English!
In this one Murray wakes up to a sneezing bun and finds out that his kitchen is now the garden. Or well, an extension of it. Yup. His wizard owner is once again doing his wonky magic again. And Murray just wants to sleep, eat, sleep some more, maybe laze around in the garden. But with a wizard as owner no day is the same. Add to that the whole magicked cat door. Which may lead to the garden and thus sunny grassy wonder or it leads to a whole new time/adventure. Murray is generally hoping for a non-adventure. But as we see in this one he is off to a new adventure again!
In this one we teleport to a whole new adventure this time with pirates! I just loved how we got directly into it. With Murray in his pirate outfit wandering across town and getting all sorts of things and not getting the clue that it is because he is a pirate and people think he is going to rob them. That made me laugh, especially because he was just so darn polite about it all. He was all thank yous and pleases and I was like MURRAY, please! Boy, open your eyes! And that is just the start because then there are pirates (with hilarious names and maybe hope for a different job) and that leads to a big treasure hunt adventure to a spooky island (with a banana rock and a skull rock, yup, two cool rocks) to something even bigger!
I love how Murray is terrified of many things but he still does it, often with a little motivation by either someone or Bun, but I count it. He could have just lain on the floor and waited for the adventure to be over or try every door in the town to find his way back home (as that is generally how he has gotten home), but instead he goes for the adventure and he tries new things. He thinks of solutions for problems and tries to help everyone, it was so sweet.
And the ending was also perfection, both with the pirate adventure and then back at home!
Bun, well, I don’t mind the critter that much, Bun. He is still a bit annoying in my eyes (I am sorry OK, I am just not a fan of magical companions), but also adorable and I love how he tries to help Murray and how good of a friend he is. He really sticks around (and yes, this can be taking literally as he is still a bunny who was a bun).
The illustrations are just fab. Again, I love the style but I also love how interactive it is and at times feels like a movie. Sometimes you just have a scene that gets like 8 pages with on each two pages a scene with just a bit different thing. Like when Bun and Murray had to walk the plank! It just adds to the story and I love it.
All in all, this was once again a hit! I really had oodles of fun reading this one and I am happy that more books are coming out with this little cat and his big magical adventures.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
March 24, 2026
Muffin ist ein sehr gemütlicher und verfressener Kater, der überhaupt nichts von Abenteuern hält. Zu seinem Pech lebt er bei dem Zauberer Tatterich, dessen Zaubersprüche sehr oft ziemlich in die Hose gehen. Vor kurzem hat er sogar Muffins letztes Törtchen in ein klebrig-quirliges Kaninchen verwandelt! Tört liebt einfach alles – ganz besonders Abenteuer. Als die magische Katzenklappe mal wieder verrückt spielt, landen die beiden – Pa-Puff – in einem sonnigen Städtchen am Meer. Ehe sie es sich versehen, werden sie von Piraten entführt und finden sich auf deren Schiff wieder. Wie es sich für einen echten Piratenkapitän gehört, will Käpten Klappe seine zwei Gefangenen über die Planke schicken. Es stellt sich jedoch heraus, dass Klappe und seine Crew eigentlich gar kein Piratenleben führen wollen. Statt andere auszurauben und fies zu sein, wollen sie viel lieber ganz andere Dinge tun. Um sich bei den Stadtbewohnern für ihre Übeltaten zu entschuldigen, brauchen sie allerdings Gold. Gemeinsam mit Muffin und Tört reisen sie daher zur gefährlichen Monsterinsel, wo ein großer Schatz versteckt sein. Die Insel trägt ihren Namen jedoch nicht ohne Grund...
Ich liebe die Reihe rund um Couchpotato-Kater Muffin und seinen quirligen Freund Tört. Den hier vorliegenden dritten Band konnte ich daher kaum erwarten. Auch dieser beginnt, wie seine Vorgänger, mit einer kurzen Einleitung, in der uns Muffin und Tört kurz vorgestellt werden, und erzählt anschließend eine eigenständige Geschichte. Die Bücher sind somit problemlos unabhängig voneinander lesbar.
Nachdem es uns mit Muffin und Tört zuletzt zu den Rittern verschlagen hat, landen wir diesmal mit den beiden in einem waschechten Piratenabenteuer. Ab der ersten Seiten sind breite Schmunzler garantiert und man mag mit dem Lesen nicht mehr aufhören. Unsere (teils unfreiwilligen) Helden sind aber auch einfach ein hinreißend ungleiches Gespann. Während Muffin in bester Garfield-Manier daherkommt und nichts mehr liebt als seine Ruhe (und Essen), ist Tört die Erlebnislust in Person. Langweilig wird es mit den beiden mal wieder zu keiner Zeit. Es gibt einfach wieder so viele wunderbare Verrücktheiten zu entdecken: Ein Piratenkapitän, der lieber Florist sein möchte; eine bunte Seeräubercrew mit ulkigen Namen wie Knochen-Knut und Zwieback-Bill; ein riesiges Monster, das ganz anders ist als gedacht...Dass manche Gags sehr denen aus den vorherigen Bänden ähneln, tut dem Lesevergnügen dabei keinen Abbruch. Adam Stower erzählt gewohnt witzig, charmant und voller Situationskomik.Vor allem die Illustrationen in Kombination mit dem schrägen Humor sind erneut ein Highlight.
Optisch ist auch dieser Band ein ganz besonderer Genuss. Die zahlreichen schwarz-weiß Bilder von Adam Stower sind superknuffig und humorvoll gezeichnet, allein schon Muffin und Tört mit ihren Kulleraugen sind zum Verlieben. Viele Comic-Elemente lockern den Text zusätzlich auf und machen das Ganze noch spaßiger. Für Erstleser*innen ab 7 Jahren ist diese Reihe ideal geeignet. Durch die kurzen Textpassagen (übersetzt von Leena Flegler), der großen Schrift und reichen Bebilderung fliegt man nur so durch die Seiten. Selbst der größte Lesemuffel wird hier am Ball bleiben und am Ende lautstark nach mehr verlangen. Wie gut, dass es noch ein weiteres Wiedersehen mit Muffin und Tört geben wird. Bereits im Juli 2026 können wir mit den beiden auf Geisterjagd gehen. Ich freue mich schon sehr darauf!
Fazit: „Muffin und Tört! 3: Bei den Piraten“ ist ein herrlich verrücktes und turbulentes Piratenabenteuer ab 7 Jahren mit lustigen Dialogen, zuckersüßen Illustrationen und zwei unvergesslichen Helden zum Liebhaben. Ein köstlicher Lesespaß für Groß und Klein. Wer Muffin und Tört noch nicht kennt, hat eindeutig etwas verpasst. Auch ihr drittes Katzenklappe-Abenteuer konnte mich begeistern. Von mir gibt es 5 von 5 Sternen.
Ich liebe die Reihe rund um Couchpotato-Kater Muffin und seinen quirligen Freund Tört. Den hier vorliegenden dritten Band konnte ich daher kaum erwarten. Auch dieser beginnt, wie seine Vorgänger, mit einer kurzen Einleitung, in der uns Muffin und Tört kurz vorgestellt werden, und erzählt anschließend eine eigenständige Geschichte. Die Bücher sind somit problemlos unabhängig voneinander lesbar.
Nachdem es uns mit Muffin und Tört zuletzt zu den Rittern verschlagen hat, landen wir diesmal mit den beiden in einem waschechten Piratenabenteuer. Ab der ersten Seiten sind breite Schmunzler garantiert und man mag mit dem Lesen nicht mehr aufhören. Unsere (teils unfreiwilligen) Helden sind aber auch einfach ein hinreißend ungleiches Gespann. Während Muffin in bester Garfield-Manier daherkommt und nichts mehr liebt als seine Ruhe (und Essen), ist Tört die Erlebnislust in Person. Langweilig wird es mit den beiden mal wieder zu keiner Zeit. Es gibt einfach wieder so viele wunderbare Verrücktheiten zu entdecken: Ein Piratenkapitän, der lieber Florist sein möchte; eine bunte Seeräubercrew mit ulkigen Namen wie Knochen-Knut und Zwieback-Bill; ein riesiges Monster, das ganz anders ist als gedacht...Dass manche Gags sehr denen aus den vorherigen Bänden ähneln, tut dem Lesevergnügen dabei keinen Abbruch. Adam Stower erzählt gewohnt witzig, charmant und voller Situationskomik.Vor allem die Illustrationen in Kombination mit dem schrägen Humor sind erneut ein Highlight.
Optisch ist auch dieser Band ein ganz besonderer Genuss. Die zahlreichen schwarz-weiß Bilder von Adam Stower sind superknuffig und humorvoll gezeichnet, allein schon Muffin und Tört mit ihren Kulleraugen sind zum Verlieben. Viele Comic-Elemente lockern den Text zusätzlich auf und machen das Ganze noch spaßiger. Für Erstleser*innen ab 7 Jahren ist diese Reihe ideal geeignet. Durch die kurzen Textpassagen (übersetzt von Leena Flegler), der großen Schrift und reichen Bebilderung fliegt man nur so durch die Seiten. Selbst der größte Lesemuffel wird hier am Ball bleiben und am Ende lautstark nach mehr verlangen. Wie gut, dass es noch ein weiteres Wiedersehen mit Muffin und Tört geben wird. Bereits im Juli 2026 können wir mit den beiden auf Geisterjagd gehen. Ich freue mich schon sehr darauf!
Fazit: „Muffin und Tört! 3: Bei den Piraten“ ist ein herrlich verrücktes und turbulentes Piratenabenteuer ab 7 Jahren mit lustigen Dialogen, zuckersüßen Illustrationen und zwei unvergesslichen Helden zum Liebhaben. Ein köstlicher Lesespaß für Groß und Klein. Wer Muffin und Tört noch nicht kennt, hat eindeutig etwas verpasst. Auch ihr drittes Katzenklappe-Abenteuer konnte mich begeistern. Von mir gibt es 5 von 5 Sternen.
October 3, 2025
Murray is woken one day by his best friend Bun sneezing loudly. So loudly and strongly that Bun is flying around the kitchen. When he wakes up properly, Murray can see Wizard Fumblethumb has been practising his (rubbish) magic again, and the kitchen is filled with grass and flowers.
Bun’s hayfever is rife and another giant sneeze propels them both out of Murray’s cat flap….
Pa-Pooof!
They find themselves in a seaside village market. Smells of fish fill Murray’s nose, and before he knows it, a villager is giving him a lovely big breakfast. Another villager approaches with something yummy, then another and another! He can’t believe his luck!
Murray has wonderful manners and thanks them all with wonder, not realising they think he is someone else. Before he can even take a bite of his juicy, fresh fish, he and Bun are bundled into a bag and kidnapped!
When finally emerging from the sack, they are face to face with fierce pirates, who are mortified that the villagers thought Murray was one of them. Especially after all the polite things he said as he received his tasty gifts. It will NOT do! He and Bun must walk the plank!
But Bun is a special bunny, and soon the tide has turned. Murray and Bun are soon helping hatch a plan to please the pirates. This involves, gold, other treasures and a monster called Margaret.
Just as in the 1st two books in the series, Murray the Viking and Murray the Knight – Murray the Pirate begins with an introduction of Murray, Bun and a rubbish wizard called Fumblethumb.
The new adventure soon begins with Murray and his tiny sticky rabbit friend, zapping back in history. Murray is a calm kind of cat, and not much fazes him, except maybe an empty tum. Bun is always on hand to help, and I love the way he says his one word, ‘Bun,’ and how Murray interprets it.
As always there are laughs aplenty during this piratey adventure, with the illustrations often telling the story on their own.
One of my favourite funny junior chapter series.
Bun’s hayfever is rife and another giant sneeze propels them both out of Murray’s cat flap….
Pa-Pooof!
They find themselves in a seaside village market. Smells of fish fill Murray’s nose, and before he knows it, a villager is giving him a lovely big breakfast. Another villager approaches with something yummy, then another and another! He can’t believe his luck!
Murray has wonderful manners and thanks them all with wonder, not realising they think he is someone else. Before he can even take a bite of his juicy, fresh fish, he and Bun are bundled into a bag and kidnapped!
When finally emerging from the sack, they are face to face with fierce pirates, who are mortified that the villagers thought Murray was one of them. Especially after all the polite things he said as he received his tasty gifts. It will NOT do! He and Bun must walk the plank!
But Bun is a special bunny, and soon the tide has turned. Murray and Bun are soon helping hatch a plan to please the pirates. This involves, gold, other treasures and a monster called Margaret.
Just as in the 1st two books in the series, Murray the Viking and Murray the Knight – Murray the Pirate begins with an introduction of Murray, Bun and a rubbish wizard called Fumblethumb.
The new adventure soon begins with Murray and his tiny sticky rabbit friend, zapping back in history. Murray is a calm kind of cat, and not much fazes him, except maybe an empty tum. Bun is always on hand to help, and I love the way he says his one word, ‘Bun,’ and how Murray interprets it.
As always there are laughs aplenty during this piratey adventure, with the illustrations often telling the story on their own.
One of my favourite funny junior chapter series.
February 12, 2026
Murray, a sweet couch-potato, and his enchanted companion Bun, formerly a sweet bun but now a sticky rabbit with a candied cherry in place of a cottontail, continue their adventures through the wizard Fumblethumb’s magical cat flap in this latest installment of Adam Stower’s humorous series. Here the food-obsessed feline ends up on a pirate ship. At first the crew comes across as a bit hostile, but Murray helps them understand that none of them are really happy with the current state of affairs; Captain Patch actually dreams of opening a flower shop, if only he had the gold to pay back all his former victims! With the help of Murray and Bun, the pirates locate a monster’s treasure and agree to supply the creature (Margaret) with a lifetime supply of fish in exchange for the loot, leaving everyone happy. Once again, the story’s 180 pages read very quickly, with Stower’s loose and hilarious grayscale illustrations making up the bulk of the book’s content. Many sections feature just two or three sentences per page, and some—particularly the visual gags—unfold across several pages with no text at all. The diverse pirate crew includes people of various genders and skin tones, all with colorful and goofy names, such as Poopdeck Pete, Gunpowder Lil, and Biscuit Bill. A section called “Bun’s Bonus Bits” closes out the book, with instructions on how to draw a sea monster, a page from Murray’s infamous family photo album, and a diary entry-style epilogue from the reformed Captain, now the proud owner of The Flower Patch. With its adorable illustrations, gentle pacing, and twee sense of humor, this series will be a hit with young readers while adults looking for milder content will appreciate its whimsy. Each volume opens with a recap of Murray and Bun’s backstory, so the books can be read in any order. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
April 4, 2026
The inclusion of a brief introduction to the world of Murray and Bun means readers who haven't read the previous two titles in this unique series won't be lost. After Murray and Bun go through the magic cat flap in their house, they end up captured by a band of pirates, none of whom want to be pirates, and looking for treasure. It's all silly fun, and there are so many visuals spread across the pages that readers will be able to fly through the pages. I particularly loved how several double-page spreads feature the same scene as though time has stopped and everyone is waiting for a response. Fans of Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom and its related titles will love this one. Bun is simply irresistible, smarter than might be expected, and has grown on me. Plus, who doesn't love the idea of a pirate or two with an identity crisis?
August 12, 2025
This is a delightful romp into silly adventures with pirates and a sticky bun-turned rabbit named Bun. I found myself smiling along with all of Murray's antics, and loved the names of the pirates and the way the author used humor with pauses, indecipherable language from Bun, and absurd scenarios to really up the laughs. I plan to read this with my kids when it is published. It is perfect for transitional readers who like illustrations, and the illustrations add to the humor, so it's great for all ages. It would also make a good read aloud for pre-k children who have more stamina and want to listen to an illustrated chapter book.
October 25, 2025
This was a fun read and the illustrations were the cutest. The action was fun and the story was great. Murray the cat is always wanting a snack and Bun who is a sticky bun turned rabbit is always just bouncing around getting into mischief. They are the perfect duo and the story was fast read.
Thanks to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thanks to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
February 11, 2025
The third in this fun series just right for beginner readers . The way jokes are built up over several pages is masterly and made me giggle several times. Murray the cat’s pet, Bun (so called because he started life as a sticky bun before being turned into a rabbit) is very cute & clever too, if only his feline master would listen to him!
October 16, 2025
I laughed from start to finish! This volume is awesome. The lead pirate has a penguin on his shoulder instead of a parrot. No one wants to be a pirate, they would all rather just fish (or be a florist!), there is a monster. Murray and Bun seem like they are having a great time. Probably the best volume in the series so far!
May 8, 2026
A delightful story with incredibly adorable pictures. I accidentally started with the third in the series, but there's an initial chapter that gets you all caught up so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
Highly recommended for newly independent readers, or as a family read-aloud for age 4+.
Highly recommended for newly independent readers, or as a family read-aloud for age 4+.
February 16, 2025
I love this series. Murray and his magic cat flap of adventure takes him to a land of pirates! He has to walk the plank, fight monsters and runs into some other pirates! This was fun and cute. I love the illustrations too. Excited for more!
March 27, 2026
Ahah! Love the format of these, collecting them all. This time we're helping a nasty pirate make amends, apologize and make his flower shop come true, for that they go on an adventure to get the treasure island's gold and a plot twist more to pay back the villagers.
April 17, 2026
Muffin und Tört geraten, nachdem Zauberer Tatterich ganz fürchterlich gezaubert hat, bei den Piraten. Unwiderstehlich süß und witzig - Es lohnt sich Käpten Klappe und seine Piratenbande Schießpulver-Lutz, Gänse-Gitti und Knochen-Knut kennen zu lernen!
February 25, 2025
I love them so so much
January 11, 2026
Murray’s Family Album makes a funny and adorable bonus after the story and shows off the ancestors he references in the story.
March 13, 2026
Muffin und Tört treffen furchterregende Piraten, die eigentlich lieber keine wären. Lustig, ungefährlich, für ErstleserInnen.
April 6, 2026
Read with my grandsons, who very much enjoyed it. It is rather sweetly silly, with lots of illustrations. Now they want to read the other ones in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Auch Band 3 ist ganz toll und zuckersüß!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews