Oh I loved the Pirate stories when I was in school. Sadly, no library ever seemed to have all of them, so there are still bits I haven't read. And then I grew up extolling the virtues of GI Jane, let alone Peter and Jane!

JB

Roger the Red Pirate

Was that the series where there was a pirate who dug up the green emeralds, one who dug up the red rubies, and one other? I'd love to get hold of those books now - I don't think I managed to finish the series either.

Yes, and it all got really dark and mysterious. Even scary. The books progressed upward at reader level, so later on the Blue Pirate (the dishy one) was captured and there was this enchanted chain he had to break or something.

I've been having a search on the net. Once I got passed all the Pirates of the Caribbean nonsense, I found out that Sheila McCullagh wrote the Griffin Pirate Series, who also wrote the Puddle Lane series. The Pirates have been graphically redesigned but I don't like the new look. I'd like to buy up the old ones but I bet they cost a fortune now!

http://cultreading70s.blogspot.com/

Scroll down to see the original Pirates! Some great memories there!

JB

<Added>

Ah yes, that's it. My favourite one with the chain was called The Mirror, the Candle and the Flute. Only £40 on Amazon! lol

Many thanks, JB

Funnily enough I collected the whole Puddle Lane series a few years ago via ebay and the charity shops - they are excellent for learning to read.
The local primary school were still using the original Billy Blue-Hat series until a couple of years ago, then chucked them all out in favour of the Oxford Reading Scheme. I wish I'd saved them.
It'll try to get hold of the Pirate ones

- NaomiM

Puddle lane. I had forgetten that.
wasn't there a magiican and lots of cats?

Saw this at the weekend - fab. Loved Robert de Niro (even though Coppola, was it, criticised him for selling out to Hollywood.) Found the beginning a titch slow - mind you, that could be because i was stressing my youngest would lose interest. LOVED the ending with the 2 stars in the sky - the audience clapped!