THIS IS ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOKS! I KNOW ITS A GOOD BOOK WHEN I ENJOY READING IT AS MUCH AS MY CHILDREN DO LISTENING TO IT. THE STORY OF THE TWINS IS ENDEARING AS WELL AS EXCITING. AS A PARENT I AM SO DELIGHTED TO HAVE A GOOD CHILDREN'S LITERATURE BOOK THAT REENFORCES THE VALUES THAT MY HUSBAND AND I TRY TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN WITHOUT BEING PREACHY. I ALSO APPRECIATE GOOD BOOKS THAT AREN'T JUST FUN TO READ BUT DO DOUBLE DUTY AS HISTORICAL FICTION LIKE THIS ONE. IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK YOU WILL ALSO LOVE DUTCH COLOR AND SCOTTISH SEAS (ESPECIALY IF YOU HAVE BOYS) BY THE SAME AUTHOR.