An appealing and non-stereotypical love story with a strong female main character and a pirate — making this book great for both girls and boys.

The fierce little woman lived in a house at the end of a jetty.
She knitted socks in blue and green wool, to sell to sailors who had got their feet wet. But when there were no ships at her jetty, she was quite alone.
One stormy day, a pirate came to the house on the jetty. He stood on his toes, and starting tap-tap-tapping on the window…

Author Biography

Joy Cowley's books are loved by children all around the world. Many of them have featured as finalists and winners in the Aim and New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Joy has been awarded the OBE for her services to children's writing and in 2004 was presented with the AW Reed Award for Contribution to New Zealand Literature. After many years living in the Marlborough Sounds, Joy now lives in Wellington. Snake and Lizard (Gecko Press, 2007) won the 2008 NZ Post Book of the Year; the follow-up Friends: Snake and Lizard will be published in October 2009. Sarah Davis was born in New Zealand and is currently based in Sydney, Australia. She is an artist and freelance illustrator who has worked on a wide range of projects, including concept design for movies, toy design and book illustration. Her first picture book was the acclaimed Mending Lucille by Jennifer Poulter. She worked as art director/senior illustrator for Childhood Heroes and was until recently a designer/editor at The Book Company. She is now illustrating full time.