ZATU Peasoup Smart Books ‘Deadbeard’s Curse’ Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Helen O
With an 8 year old son, the struggle is real to try and inspire a love of reading (or even a like of it sometimes), so when I was offered the opportunity to review an item from the Zatu Peasoup Smart book range, which promised an interactive experience combining a book and an app, I couldn’t resist it and wanted to see if this could achieve something that had eluded me for a while.
The book ‘Deadbeard’s Curse’ by Soeren Joensson arrived quickly, packaged in a simple envelope and wrapped in a thin plastic film and I was pleased to find it in perfect condition. It’s a sturdy hardback, beautifully illustrated, with bold colours and a clear sense of adventure woven through every page.
Even before opening it, I got the feeling of stepping into a traditional, yet adventurous pirate story. However, when I opened it up, I was struck by the pages resembling old treasure maps, in their off-white colour and each page number appearing on top of a black jolly-roger flag. I couldn’t help but feel that this would spark a child’s imagination and that’s even before I had downloaded the companion app.
Before I handed it over to my son, I had a quick flick through first, just to get a feel for how it worked. There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting to get stick in, but not understanding what you need to do. I’m not going to lie, for me, it wasn’t immediately obvious exactly how it worked, but once I got an 8 year old tech-savvy child involved, I soon understood! I downloaded the app through the Google Play store, for my Android phone (the app is also available through the Apple Store) and off we went!
What stood out immediately was how cleverly the book is laid out. Intertwined with the story, are several pages containing scannable illustrations that link directly to the app, unlocking puzzles, battles, clues, and little snippets of story. It’s intuitive, clearly designed with children in mind, and doesn’t overwhelm you with complicated instructions. You simply open the app, scan the page, and the adventure begins.
One of the things we really loved was that the reader can choose the path of the story, as you come across pages where you can choose the next step from two or three choices, this means that the book isn’t a simple one and done, there are several potential endings. Which means that you get great value out of one book!
The app itself is free, easy to navigate, and refreshingly free from ads or intrusive data collection, which can so often be the case these days. The activities range from quick tasks to short battles, most lasting only a minute or two, which is ideal for children who love to get involved but don’t have long attention spans. These bite‑sized challenges keep the momentum going without ever feeling like hard work and because of this, my son who generally only enjoys reading for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, actually spent about an hour actively engaged for his first reading of the book, which was refreshingly relieving.
To say my son was hooked, is an understatement. The pirate theme is strong throughout, and the mix of reading, scanning, and problem-solving kept him engaged far longer than a standard book would. However, I did spot that he checked out the different choices to see which one would lead to him using the app, rather than having to read! Although I liked how the digital elements support the story rather than distract from it. It still feels like reading, but with a modern-day twist.
The only slight drawback is that you do need a device to get the full experience, so it’s not a book children can enjoy independently at bedtime or on long car journeys, unless you’re that way inclined. I acknowledge that some parents may be reluctant to let their children use a smart book and prefer to keep screen‑time to a minimum, but this could be viewed as a happy medium, particularly if, like me, you have the ongoing struggle of getting your child to read.
The RRP is £19.99, which is a little steep for a children’s book. Although personally, I think this would make a brilliant Christmas or birthday gift for any child who loves pirates, and something a bit different from the usual reading routine.
In a world where children are constantly pulled between screens and books, the Peasoup range offers a middle ground with a fun, imaginative adventure that encourages reading while embracing the technology they already love. It’s engaging, accessible, and full of charm.
Looking at Peasoup’s website, there are 4 book titles to choose from and these books are aimed at children age 8 and 13 and their parents, so they’re perfect for reading together as a family.
Rating: 4/5 based on cost and the reliance on having a device to access the book in its entirety.
RRP: £19.99
Buy here: https://zatu.com/products/dead-beards-curse