The Hoys

By Author / Illustrator

Kes Gray, Mark A. Chambers

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Happy Yak

ISBN

9780711287990

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

23-05-2024

Synopsis

Ahoy there! But what is a hoy, and why can Pirate Jake never see one?! No matter how hard he looks, Jake cannot see the mysterious hoys he keeps hearing so much about. How can he ever be a proper pirate if he can't see a hoy? With his parrot on his shoulder, he walks gloomily across the sand dunes. Until something quite unusual catches his eye....

This atmospheric and beautifully illustrated book will spark imaginations and help inspire open-mindedness, creativity, inclusivity, curiosity...and of course, wordplay, wit and whimsy!

This vibrant new picture book from bestselling author Kes Gray is perfect for pirate fans everywhere, at any time of day.

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Reviews

Kes Gray is a popular author with the children at school and this book did not disappoint. The vibrant illustrations bring the book to life, with the parrot and its expressions being a firm favourite with the children. They were pleased that he became a 'proper pirate's parrot' by the end of the story, as he finally understood the concept of repetition.

The full page night illustrations are atmospheric and reflect the inside of the cave beautifully, however, the dark text on the darker pictures made it a little harder for some to read.

The Hoys is quite an original concept and our Year Two children (ages 6+) found it easier to understand the humour behind the book compared with Reception and Year One children (ages 4+), especially those with English as an additional language, who found the word play more challenging to grasp.

The book's originality lies in its clever use of pirate jargon meaning it is best enjoyed by those who have a more developed understanding of the intricacies of the English language.

Picture book / Reviewed by Samantha Hughes, teacher