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Atticus Van Tasticus
A ten-year-old pirate captain? Absurd? Not in the world of Atticus Van Tasticus, a fabulously funny new illustrated junior fiction series from the brilliant and whacky creative minds of Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King.
1750, when times were tough and teeth were rotten…
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.
It’s a choice that will change the course of history – well, OK, his story, at least. Atticus pulls together a rag-tag bunch misfits – AHEM – a tough, brilliant crew, and sets out to wreak havoc – I mean – live a piratin’ life.
With little else to his name, Atticus has a taste for adventure, beauty and danger – where any minute might be your last, and your next minute could be your best (…if only they could get off the dock).
1750, when times were tough and teeth were rotten…
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.
It’s a choice that will change the course of history – well, OK, his story, at least. Atticus pulls together a rag-tag bunch misfits – AHEM – a tough, brilliant crew, and sets out to wreak havoc – I mean – live a piratin’ life.
With little else to his name, Atticus has a taste for adventure, beauty and danger – where any minute might be your last, and your next minute could be your best (…if only they could get off the dock).
230 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2019
About the author
Andrew Daddo
49 books11 followersBorn Andrew Dugald Daddo with twin James Beilby. School included "broken arms and fingers, scrapes and scratches, girlfriends, hot chips and a football team that refused to win a premiership." Careers included radio, TV - DVDs for GlobeTrekker. "He has written books for all ages – picture books, chapter books, short story collections, young adult novels and adult non-fiction." He "lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with" .. seven others "if you include our chicken Spite and thirteen if you include those pesky Indian Miner Birds who sneak in the crack in the window to eat what Spud the Dog, Felix, Bibi or Jasper (our kids) or Jacquie (my wife) leave lying around." https://www.facebook.com/andrew.daddo.16
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 19, 2019
“Together we’re goin’ piratin’.”Ahoy, me hearties! It be Talk Like a Pirate Day and I be watchin’ o’er Atticus and his crew from the crows nest of The Grandnan.
Ye see, when Van Tasticus lads and lassies reach their tenth birthday they get to plunder one piece o’ treasure from Grandnan Van Tasticus’ giant shed. They be needin’ to choose their bounty wisely as that be the only loot they get.
When it be Atticus’ birthday his landlubbing days be o’er as he be choosin’ a ship. Blimey!
Atticus and his crew set sail, seekin’ treasure and adventure. There be walkin’ the plank, a stowaway and some surprises.
This be the first in a new series. There be smiles for ye scallywags and details in the pictures that ye ol’ seadogs will appreciate, from well known paintings in Grandnan’s shed to Muscles and Mullet channelin’ their inner Rose and Jack on the bow of The Grandnan.
If ye be worryin’ about what yet scallywag be readin’, thar be a crew member that be sayin’ .
I plundered me a signed copy of this book. If ye be putting yer mark on a pirate book, this be how ye do it right! Aaarrr!
I be givin’ this treasure four Jolly Rogers. 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️
September 7, 2019
My 9 year old twins, sean and riley loved this book !! This is an amazing book and i couldn't recommend it enough !! Its now been the 8th night in a row where they have asked "dad, can we please read atticus", and we are loving it !! #howgoodsatticus
June 30, 2021
3.5 stars
Andrew Daddo, author and narrator of Atticus Van Tasticus.
A fabulously funny and wacky story for kids who like pirates and adventure.
Andrew Daddo, author and narrator of Atticus Van Tasticus.
A fabulously funny and wacky story for kids who like pirates and adventure.
July 10, 2020
On his tenth birthday, Atticus van Tasticus is allowed to go to his grandmother's shed of treasures and choose ONE item for himself -- and he must choose wisely, as it could lead to untold riches. Despite hearing countless warnings by relatives to pick with his head, not with his heart (his dad, for example, chose a puppy), Atticus decides to do as he likes anyway when he -- after almost choosing a crown -- rests his eyes on a pirate ship.
Now, sailing the six (or is it seven? It's definitely seven.) seas and looking for treasure to plunder, Atticus is off on the adventure of a lifetime. Parents not included.
I think that this book would by enjoyed by those who enjoy stories similar to Tom Gates and The 13-Storey Treehouse series, however, it wasn't for me. While Atticus van Tasticus is a fun adventure with lots of jokes, pirates have never been my cup of tea and, as it turns out, they're still not.
Now, sailing the six (or is it seven? It's definitely seven.) seas and looking for treasure to plunder, Atticus is off on the adventure of a lifetime. Parents not included.
I think that this book would by enjoyed by those who enjoy stories similar to Tom Gates and The 13-Storey Treehouse series, however, it wasn't for me. While Atticus van Tasticus is a fun adventure with lots of jokes, pirates have never been my cup of tea and, as it turns out, they're still not.
September 15, 2019
Step back to a time when pirates sailed the seven seas with Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King in Atticus van Tasticus. On Atticus’s tenth birthday his wealthy Grandnan invites him to choose a special present from her vast collection. His cousins, uncles and aunts even his brother and sister haven’t chosen wisely, now it’s his turn. A fortuitous sneeze leads him to discover a trapdoor with a pirate ship hidden beneath the floor.
Yes, it’s to be a pirate’s life for the ten-year-old, a life of amazing adventures, once the ship’s hauled to the port. Hulk and Hogan, Grandnan’s two strong assistants, three carts and a whole bunch of asses help. Gathering a rather motley crew, a feisty First Mate and a stowaway puppy Atticus is ready to set sail. Every Captain needs a plan, a treasure map and some ideas about how to navigate. Grandnan’s left three chests, which one will reveal the clues, under her old shopping lists the young captain discovers the map.
Surviving the perfect storm, shark encounters, alien dreams, crazy arguments with wild Captain Trumptree with his hairy treasure chest, Atticus and his crew experience a wild and dangerous life on board. Of course, there’s another pirate ship to attack, the Pegasis, with a surprising captain creating more challenges for Atticus and his crew.
Andrew Daddo’s created a cast of crazy characters, a wild and exciting pirate adventure, with loads of fun, pirate slang, puns and humour, ‘Atticus van Tasticus’ is a thrilling book to read aloud with middle primary students. Stephen Michael King’s humourous illustrations add to the pace, propel the story forward and add vigour to this pirate tale
Yes, it’s to be a pirate’s life for the ten-year-old, a life of amazing adventures, once the ship’s hauled to the port. Hulk and Hogan, Grandnan’s two strong assistants, three carts and a whole bunch of asses help. Gathering a rather motley crew, a feisty First Mate and a stowaway puppy Atticus is ready to set sail. Every Captain needs a plan, a treasure map and some ideas about how to navigate. Grandnan’s left three chests, which one will reveal the clues, under her old shopping lists the young captain discovers the map.
Surviving the perfect storm, shark encounters, alien dreams, crazy arguments with wild Captain Trumptree with his hairy treasure chest, Atticus and his crew experience a wild and dangerous life on board. Of course, there’s another pirate ship to attack, the Pegasis, with a surprising captain creating more challenges for Atticus and his crew.
Andrew Daddo’s created a cast of crazy characters, a wild and exciting pirate adventure, with loads of fun, pirate slang, puns and humour, ‘Atticus van Tasticus’ is a thrilling book to read aloud with middle primary students. Stephen Michael King’s humourous illustrations add to the pace, propel the story forward and add vigour to this pirate tale
September 11, 2019
3.5* A super fun pirating adventure with a cast of quirky, loveable characters. Loved the little comic strip of Stowaway Dog that popped up every now and again, as well as the subtle jokes about the future in both the text and illustrations. A wonderful new junior fiction series.
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September 22, 2019A silly, funny pirate romp with illustrations throughout. Would be great for reluctant readers and fans of pirates.
The story is also great in that roles aren't sexist. There are female characters in roles that are the same as or equal to those of male characters.
The story is also great in that roles aren't sexist. There are female characters in roles that are the same as or equal to those of male characters.
December 21, 2019
A fun story for younger readers.
Full review on blog.
Full review on blog.
December 6, 2021
Read to my grade 3s. They enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews