Pirates' Treasure

Tumtum and Nutmeg #3

by Emily Bearn

Tumtum & The Pirates' Treasure is the third of three short stories from Tumtum & Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall . Tumtum and Nutmeg lead cozy and quiet lives, secretly looking after Arthur and Lucy, the disheveled human children of Rose Cottage, never dreaming that so many exciting adventures will soon find them. But when evil Aunt Ivy, a squeamish schoolteacher named Miss Short, and pirating pond rats threaten the safety of those they hold dear, the courageous pair will stop at nothing to save the day.

In this thrilling tale of daring and wit, Tumtum and Nutmeg -- along with veteran hero General Marchmouse, Ms. Tiptoe's bouncing ballerina army, and a team of caged gerbils -- prove that small mice can have big hearts.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Classics, Animals

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Emily Bearn was born in London, and has been a journalist since the age of 20 when she joined the staff of Harpers & Queen magazine. She then worked for a year as a diary reporter on The Times, before becoming a feature writer on the Sunday Telegraph. She became freelance in 2005 following the birth of her daughter, Freya.

The idea for the Tumtum and Nutmeg books was sparked one evening when, while feeding her baby in the kitchen, she saw two tiny mice scuttling across the floor, then disappearing behind the skirting next to the cooker. She started to wonder what sort of life the mice led behind the skirting board, and slowly the plot for the first Tumtum and Nutmeg book came to life.

She and her daughter live in Hammersmith, and still share their house with two (very helpful) mice.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story of two mice who always seem to get into the middle of some kind of adventure! I'm really looking forward to reading the next volumes in the series!

Tumtum and Nutmeg decide to supervise Lucy and Arthur Mildew when they go camping. Of course, General Marchmouse turns up, and he is the one who unfortunately gets them all into the middle of an adventure... in which rat-pirates are involved...

[Lindsay Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun readaloud with my five year old. He loves all the adventures of Tumtum and Nutmeg, and we can’t wait to read more!

[Rachael Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Tumtum and Nutmeg. They are as wonderful as always. General Marchmouse is aggravating- it’s hard to have anything nice to say about him, which is why I gave the book 4 stars. He didn’t ruin the story, but he did make it less enjoyable.

[Kristyn]

What a treat to read-aloud an engaging, short novel. Sometimes I grow weary of reading aloud great, but dense books and trying to keep my kids from bickering about who sits where and whose leg or arm is touching whose.

Anyway, they loved this one even though it's been almost two years since we read the last one. A great early chapter book read-aloud, or a change of pace for more experienced listeners.

Read-aloud, boys, ages 10, 8, 5.

[matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the one hand, Tumtum and Nutmeg are pretty great. This story takes us further from the house than the previous two books, and the change in setting is appreciated. This book is also darker than the previous two, and it involves less interaction with the humans.

On the other hand, General Marchmouse gets more and more annoying with each book, never fully gets a comeuppance, and really shouldn't still be alive. His comic relief stretches thin.

[Linda Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful story with Tumtum and Nutmeg. The General gets them into another scrap t they have to get themselves out of. Surprised that the General ever became a general as he does not have the best sense.

[Lyndsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Spoiler!***
Another fun adventure in the Tumtum and Nutmeg series, but...


My opinion, for such a young children's novel, having a large plot point be about getting characters too drunk to function seems like not the best idea...

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful tumtum and nutmeg book to read aloud to your kids. I am so glad I found this series. This one is on par with the first tumtum and nutmeg book.

The kids howled with laughter, and the characters and descriptions are wonderful.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book of Tumtum and Nutmeg, the Pirates' Treasure is a pretty good book. I liked the pictures in the book. I would give this book 3.7 stars.

[Sarah Hartfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to Sarah Grace and loved it the third time, too! :)

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of Tumtum and Nutmeg!

[Carrie Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book prompted me to have a chat with my daughter about how to choose friends. Why are the Nutmouses still friends with General Marchmouse?!?

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with Jonah and Lucy

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Least favorite so far of the series.

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story, just as cute as books #1 and #2 in the series. Kids will love the swashbuckling adventure that Arthur, Lucy and General Marchmouse lead Tumtum and Nutmeg into this time -- much against their will. A journey across the giant Pond, where no mouse has ventured before! The story is so adorable, filled with little ingenious tidbits that the author adds in to make the adventure seem so real.

NOTE: Some parents may not approve of the use of alcohol in the story. Mostly it just added a bit of silliness to the plot, because the evil Rats didn't know whether they were going or coming.

Lovely story! Would definitely recommend these books for bedtime stories.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Tumtum and Nutmeg, you'll love Tumtum and Nutmeg and the Pitrate's Treasure! Make sure to read this book if you enjoy tales of fantasty and adventure. It seems like household things can be used for much more than we use them for. It seems like ordinary mice may be a lot braver and smarter then we thought them to be. So, read this book of courages mice and there amazing adventures. You never know. There could even be an adventure right in your backyard.

[Mako · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read relatively slow compared to most people and I still read the whole book in about 1 hour. Loved the book.

[Henry Douthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. My 5 year old loved it.