Grandpa’s Tall Tales - Tale 2: The Pirate Dog

PICTURE BOOKS

Pages: 68 Ratings:

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*Your order will be dispatched after the publication date of 05-12-2025

“Grandpa’s Tall Tales” is a series of stories featuring an inquisitive young boy [Jack] and the relationship he enjoys with his family, particularly his grandpa, which is the book’s main premise, as they are the two lead characters.

Each story is written to be best suited for parent/child reading time, i.e., to be read out loud together. They include common phrases children can learn and join in with. For example, the final words are always the same: “Jack would have to wait for another of Grandpa’s tall tales ... but only until next week.”

The sequential series introduces new characters and develops the principal ones in each story, building on their recognisable traits, which are drawn from everyday life and family members we have all encountered.

The Pirate Dog follows on from The Winter Robin. As the opening story, The Winter Robin introduced the principal characters and how they interact; this second tale in the series progresses straight into the action. It provides a riotous, fun ride for readers, culminating in one of Grandpa’s very tall tales!

Each story:

is fully illustrated, with pictures that complement the tale,
can be read as a standalone story as well as part of the series,
starts with an introduction to the family and main characters, which changes slightly with each book to reinforce the independence of each tale,
is based on common sayings or characteristics, all relating to animals, an endless source of fascination for children,
provides a combination of comedy, observation, and sometimes emotion.

… and leads to Grandpa telling a very tall tale indeed.

Mark came to writing late, having spent 30-years running his own management training and consultancy business, supporting charities and groups which help local communities, following spells in the commercial and statutory sectors.

His story ideas come from growing up in a large and loving family, observing various characters over the years, many of whom formed his inspiration for story-telling to his two children, Mark and Brett, when they were young, ‘spinning yarns’ rather than reading books to them.

Furthermore, being a ‘dog parent’ for 40-years, he drew upon animal behaviours and the fascination they hold for children when creating the “Grandpa’s Tall Tales” series.

The ‘Pirate Dog’ is the second story, following on from the ‘Winter Robin’, released in 2024, which provided an introduction to the series and to its characters.

The stories have been written to be read aloud and enjoyed together as a family, as they combine tales and illustrations that enhance the fun, rather than a typical children’s book one might give to a child as a gift to be read alone.

These two tales mark only the beginning—there are plenty more to follow!