The Pirates Next Door

The Jolley-Rogers have traded in the high seas for suburban life. Meet the Jolley-Rogers - a pirate family who is moving to Dull-on-Sea, a quiet seaside town, while they fix up their ship. This unusual family soon has the whole neighborhood gossiping. Defying the grown-ups, Matilda becomes friends with young pirate Jim Lad. When the JolleyRogers return to sea, the town realizes that they were wrong to assume the worst when it is discovered that the pirates have buried treasure in everyone's yard. The neighbors are thrilled, but Matilda is sad to have lost her new friend, until she discovers her own treasure - a pen pal!

Jonny Duddle is an illustrator and concept artist for films, including The Pirates! by Aardman animation. His first book, The Pirate Cruncher, was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Having sailed the high seas in a square-rigger, Jonny is now in danger of becoming a landlubber. He lives with his wife and their daughters in Wales.