Reviews

The Jolly Regina by Kara LaReau

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katykelly's review

4.0

4.5 stars

A story about children who DON'T want adventures!

This isn't how it usually plays out - don't children in stories normally CRAVE adventure and thrill to the excitement of getting whisked away for hijinks and horseplay?

Not these two. Very normal, sedate girls, Jaundice and Kale Bland have been left alone by their parents (the less said about that the better...) and have a very simple and comfortable life, eating porridge, going about their mundane routines quite contentedly.

Until a knock at the door... and they find themselves most unwillingly on board a pirate ship staffed solely by women.

Unusual in many respects, this is a very readable tale for primary students, probably more girls than boys, but the Bland Sisters are a great pair - with overly ticklish feet, very boring habits, no wish to be anywhere but home, they are ordinary in the extreme, but still likeable and empathetic heroines.

For of course they must still rise to the ever-present challenges faced in such books, help others, foil plots.

But will their natures have changed by the end of the book? I was very happy at the authors plan for the sisters, and know that future episodes will move along with two familiar girls that readers can depend on.

It doesn't try to be too silly or quirky, but has lovely illustrations, a humorous story and some eccentric minor characters that readers will enjoy. There are a few lessons along the way.

I can see this being a popular series - easy to read and memorable protagonists.

Also a beautifully produced hardback version. One for upper primary readers, ages 8-11.

With thanks to Walker books for the advance reading copy.

theangrystackrat's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

pifferdiff's review against another edition

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4.0

I found this quirky book quite amusing (the puns! the sarcasm!), but Violet lost interest about 2/3 of the way through, somewhere in the midst of Fatima being bullied about her weight and the pacing slowing down a bit. I think perhaps it was a bit too old for Violet (currently 5.5), although we both enjoyed the vocab, illustrations, and short chapters. And I’m actually pretty glad she tapped out before the threatened keelhauling (too gruesome). I’ll read the next one on my own and perhaps Violet will revisit when she’s older.

nickleby_shepherd's review against another edition

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5.0

Won a copy of this book under the name “The Unintentional Adventures of The Bland Sisters: The Booty Myth” awhile back from Goodreads Giveaway.
Finally got around to reading it to my nearing 3yr-old daughter. Safe to say we both really enjoyed it. Its a really fun story about these two ‘bland’ girls (& their Dictionary) getting swooped up in the adventures of FEMALE PIRATES! It’s just great!
I may bias because the day I randomly picked it up I had to explain to my daughter that NO she didn’t need to be a BOY to be a Pirate. And through some serendipity the night I, again randomly, pulled this book off the bookshelf & the crew of the ‘Jolly Regina’ proved my point.
Thanks LaReau/Hill! Can’t wait to read more of the Bland Sisters Unintentional Adventures with me hearty.

gsanta1's review against another edition

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2.0

cute but too simple.

they go on a pirate ship. they go home. the end

greenrain's review against another edition

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5.0

Girls named Jaundice and Kale! Female pirates! A mysterious disappearance! Piles of socks to darn! I will be on the lookout for more stories about the Bland sisters. Would definitely recommend.