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Swashbuckling Pirate Adventures for Young Readers
By
Holly E. Newton
Ahoy, mates! Looking for a good pirate
adventure? With “Pirates of the Caribbean III”
coming out this week, what better way to really get into the excitement
than to read about pirates? Here are some outstanding books on the
subject.
Click to Buy
 First
let’s begin with a very fun and funny read-aloud. Fundorado
Island: Redbeard’s Discoveries and His Adventures too,
by Captain Redbeard, is a hilarious book that begs to be read aloud.
The vantage of the entire book is from the captain’s point
of view, so of course it’s written in pirate language. “I
hopped on top of me treasure chest and snuggled up under me checkered
quilt. It may sound a wee bit uncomfortable, but let’s see
ye try to get a sound sleep with unguarded treasure in yer cabin.”
Captain Redbeard is relating his life
on the high seas and all of the adventures that came his way and
he’s relating them to you, the reader! When he discovers a
mermaid swimming along side of his ship, he can’t believe
his eyes. She tells him of her special island that has more treasure
hidden there than you’d think possible. The name of this incredible
island is Fundorado. When his ship runs aground on this same island,
he can’t believe his luck. Or is it?
His story continually shifts and changes
directions, so you never know how things are going to turn out.
There are wonderful illustrations, by Chris Murphy, that are sprinkled
throughout that help move the story along. There’s even a
dictionary located in the back that defines the peculiar pirate’s
language. So, join in the fun and read this gem to your youngsters.
But beware, they won’t want you to stop until the end! Arrrrrgh!
The rest of the pirate books are geared
for younger children, as they are picture books. Backbeard
and the Birthday Suit: The Hairiest Pirate Who Ever Lived,
written and illustrated by Matthew McElligott, makes the average
mean old pirate look especially crusty. That’s because Backbeard,
who is drawn with hair everywhere, is so ugly and smelly that you
can almost sense the stink from the book’s pages.
It happens to be his birthday and as
his crew yells rude remarks about his appearance, he suddenly takes
heed and heads off his ship to a clothing shop where he might find
something to wear that doesn’t have holes or smell. He’s
also looking for a parrot that won’t leave him because of
his smelly appearance. The shopkeeper assures him that he has just
the right clothing for him. How he is dressed, and the animal the
shopkeeper places on Backbeard’s shoulder will surely have
your youngster smiling all the way to the end!
Click to Buy
 Pirate
Treasure Map: A Fairytale Adventure,
by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins, will surely have your young’uns
looking for pirate treasure. You’ll find a detailed map on
the inside cover that will help you as you follow along. The story
is filled with fairytale characters that your little one will recognize.
It begins with young Jack Hubbard being swept away by his uncle,
Cap’n Horatio Hubbard, due to the need for a cabin boy on
his pirate ship.
Old Mother Hubbard gives her consent
as Jack is thrilled to go on an adventure with real pirates. However,
when he learns that part of the scabbardly crew is about to mutiny,
he tells his uncle. Unfortunately, the captain’s map that
leads directly to treasure falls overboard. Young Jack is bound
and determined not to lose this valuable map and jumps directly
into the sea.
The ship continues on its way, but
Jack is rescued by an owl and a pussycat as they sail past. Once
he’s on land, he realizes he’s on the island where the
treasure lies. He encounters Hansel and Gretel, the Three Billy
Goats Gruff and the three little ghostesses who were sitting on
three little postesses. He eventually locates the treasure box —
but you’ll have to read the story to find out what the box
contains!
Captain Abdul’s Little
Treasure, by Colin McNaughton, is another funny story
about the adventures of a pirate ship. This story begins when the
crew discovers a chest as the captain trips over it. When they open
the lid, what do they discover? The captain’s very own baby.
His wife has decided to go pirating along with the other pirate
wives. As each crewmember takes turns tending the little treasure,
you’ll discover how much everyone on the ship becomes enamored
with this little baby. There’s a wonderful CD that reads like
a movie of the mind included in the back.
Click to Buy
 And
while we’re on the subject of babies, Pirates
Don’t Change Diapers, by Melinda Long, and perfectly
illustrated by David Shannon, is another hilarious story about pirates
and tending young’uns. When Jeremy Jacob’s mom leaves
home to buy some milk, she also leaves her son in charge of the
baby sister. As soon as she leaves, there’s a knock at the
door. Jeremy Jacob opens the door to a full crew of pirates. Their
ship has had a bit of trouble and they need to dig in Jeremy’s
back yard to retrieve their treasure to pay for the damages to the
ship. Jeremy Jacob won’t let them dig anywhere until his little
sister stops crying. And so begins the babysitting by a ship of
pirates as they try to console the baby. As with all of Shannon’s
wonderfully illustrated books, add this one to the list.
Click to Buy
 And
for a real peek into the life of a pirate on a ship’s cramped
quarters, A Pirate’s Life, by Salina
Yoon, is a simple board book with lift-the flaps, stickers and loads
of information about life at sea. The flaps and stickers make this
learning book loads of fun!
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Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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