'I can read it all by myself' is the Beginner Books motto, and behind it is an understanding of how important it is for children to take pride and pleasure in their early reading. Beginner Books have been designed to appeal directly to children through the use of humour, rhyme, and bright pictures that can be 'read' even by the non-reading child. Some Beginner Books are simple stories, others are hilarious nonsense: both types have been designed to give children confidence and make them want to go on reading. DOCTOR DOLITTLE AND THE PIRATES has been adapted for Beginner Books and illustrated in colour. Although the text is easy to read, the whole family will enjoy this adventure story in which Doctor Dolittle and his animal friends battle with a band of evil pirates.