Bigbeard's Hook: Nathaniel McDaniel and the Magic Attic

Martha Lamon is a freelance writer and researcher based in Huntsville,
Ontario.

This exciting story, complete with time travel and snarling pirates, is
part of the Nathaniel McDaniel and the Magic Attic series.

Told in rhyme, Bigbeard’s Hook is about young Nathaniel McDaniel and
a visit he pays to his grandfather’s grand old house, which is filled
with artifacts and nooks and crannies to explore. Beyond a locked door
in the attic he finds numerous treasures, including an old pirate’s
hook that, when he picks it up, transports him to Bigbeard’s pirate
ship.

Narrowly escaping pirates who attempt to make him walk the plank, Nate
manages to hide, only to encounter Bigbeard himself. Nate encourages
Bigbeard to share how he lost his hand. And after telling his tale,
Bigbeard says he’ll give his entire treasure store to whoever returns
his hook. Thinking this is his way out of a tricky situation, Nate
returns the hook to Bigbeard. But it was a trick! While preparing to
kill Nate, Bigbeard puts the hook on his stump and, B-Zang!, Nate is
sent back to his grandfather’s attic.

This delightful tale of adventure and peril is filled with energetic
and colourful illustrations by Bill Slavin that capture the allure that
the house holds for Nate and the excitement that erupts on the pirate
ship. Highly recommended.