Hello, friends! Our book today is Dig Here, written by David Miles and illustrated by Olga Zakharova, a delightfully ridiculous treasure hunt tale.

A tenacious seafarer (self-described as the “fiercest pirate in the world”) and his trusty four-legged first mate embark on a quest to retrieve a treasure of rubies and gold that the pirate has hidden away underground (“that is what fierce pirates do”). However, their endeavor quickly becomes complicated when the booty is not… exactly in the same spot that the pirate is 100% positive he left it in. Still, the pirate is not deterred, and will brave underground tunnels, aching muscles, and sleepiness to find his missing treasure… or will he?

Silly swashbuckling fun. Combining a colorful central character with equally vibrant artwork and charmingly absurd dialogue, this one is a treat for young readers. With the text addressing the audience and a clever use of cutouts to tease the climax of the plot, the book becomes interactive in ways that encourage kids to laugh along at the pirate’s antics while also creating opportunities to guess where the story may be headed next (Note: the cutouts are made of paper and not cardboard, so the book’s construction may not hold up to very small bookworms). The length is perfect for a storytime, and JJ was rolling at the pirate’s missteps and nautical colloquialisms. Overall, a fun ride for any age, and we recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)