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When it comes to rating books that my girls choose for the characters, I am torn. On the one hand, they really love these books. On the other hand, I don't. As is the case with most books written to capitalize on popular television shows, the story here is bland. Jake, Izzy, and Cubby are making shadows. They make one that resembles a treasure chest, and Captain Hook comes to steal it. When he arrives, the children are making a crocodile shadow, which frightens Hook. The thick-headed captain doesn't believe them when they explain it is just shadow play, so they make a shadow of treasure to reassure the pesty pirate. He stalks off in indignation, and runs into the real tick-tock croc on his way back to his ship. Of course, he mistakes the animal for a shadow, and needs Smee to rescue him.

The story lacks substance, and feels like a simplified adaptation of one of the television shows. However, even an episode of the animation would have more action than this book. The point that Captain Hook thinks a real crocodile is just another shadow is too absurd for my suspension of belief. However, it is a light-hearted read, with familiar characters engaged in a fun game, and my daughters basically are just happy to spend a little time with beloved characters. The illustrations are fine - they are exactly like the animation from the show. For these positive points I raise my rating a little higher, even if such a story could never stand on its own without the support of already established and popular characters. ( )