Book Review: Prince Noah and the School Pirates

It’s time for young Prince Noah to go to school. The prince, who starred in the book The Prince Who Was Just Himself, may be a little slower than other students, but he has no less joy in learning. In his kingdom, children go to school on sailing ships. There is a ship for girls and one for boys. There is a ship for children with an eye patch, a ship for children with one leg, and a ship for children who are slower learners. No one knows why there are so many different ships, but it has always been that way.

Then a terrible storm drives the ships into the hands of pirates. The boys and girls realize that they will only escape if everyone does what he or she does best. Through their adventures, they learn that diversity makes us strong and that every person has something to teach us.

This delightfully illustrated fairy tale instills appreciation for children with Down syndrome and other developmental challenges, making it a valuable aid for teaching tolerance in the home or classroom.

I confess that I struggled with this book. I really enjoyed the first book, The Prince Who Was Just Himself, but I felt PRINCE NOAH and the SCHOOL PIRATES missed the mark.

Prince Noah needs to go to school, but he is sent on a ship for schooling. Kids are separated and put on different ships. When pirates seize the ships, the children have to work together, each bringing their unique gift to the solution. I understand the premise, but I guess the dark theme of being captured by pirates bothered me. Like other reviews, I found the wording odd, and I also believe that’s the translation from the author’s native German.

The author has a son with Down’s Syndrome and I love bringing awareness to special needs. I just feel the first book in the series did a stronger job bringing that message to light.

To purchase PRINCE NOAH and the SCHOOL PIRATES, click here.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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