Peg lived with her wicked Step-Great-Grand-Auntie who made her do all the work whilst she sat and watched. One day whilst she was out walking her Auntie’s cat she saw that a ship with pirates had come to town. Peg loved pirates and had read many books featuring them. She had an idea, why not ask the pirates if she could join them. Peg asked the captain of the ship, Captain Hairy-Ears if she could be a pirate too, but the pirate laughed at her and told her, pirates don’t read books, they don’t ask nicely, they aren’t small and they all have beards. Peg was angry, she could be the best pirate ever and so she came up with a plan to show Captain Hairy-Ears just how good she could be. Captain Sparklebeard is a beautifully illustrated book that shows that people should not underestimate others. Peg is a lovely character who is made to do horrible jobs by her Auntie. When she sees a way to change her life she is determined to make her dreams come true and she goes for it. She isn’t happy when the Captain of the ship dismisses. She doesn’t let the Captain upset her though she comes up with a plan, a very clever plan at that. She will show the Captain and his crew just how good she can be by disguising herself and finding the treasure on their treasure map before they do. You see Peg is educated and understands how to read a map properly, she is pragmatic and knows what it takes to get past obstacles and she is strong-willed and doesn’t give up easily. The book is all about empowerment and being the best you can. I love that Peg is polite and won’t change that to be a pirate and that she is educated too and is proud of that fact. This is a book that will show children they can be who they want to be and that size and gender should never stand in your way.