How to Become a Pirate (continued)

Sail Away
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Author: Florence McNeil    Illustrator: David McPhail
Orca Book Publishers, $15.95 (Hardcover)

An inspired collaboration finds David McPhail’s accomplished watercolors in perfect harmony with Florence McNeil’s no-nonsense text introducing nautical terms to young listeners. What will keep listener-viewers rapt is the clever context: a young pirate (perhaps age 5 or 6) in full costume in running a bath. With him are a straw basket of stuffed animals and a box containing a model pirate ship. We join this cast in a fantasy preparation of the vessel for launching and setting sail. We witness a myriad of sailors’ activities: swab the decks, polish the bright work, step the mast, vang the boom, etc. What’s more, we reach book’s end and thanks to the stuffed animals’ clearly pictured activities – and a help glossary—we could ably launch our own pirate ship. In a bathtub anyhow.

Roger, the Jolly Pirate
Ages: 4 - 7 yrs.
Author: Brett Helquist    Illustrator: Brett Helquist
HarperCollins Childrens Books, $15.99 (Hardcover)

Roger is a lousy pirate. In fact, whenever there is any real pirating to do, the other pirates scowl and send him away. Roger wishes he could think of something - anything - that would prove he is a good pirate. So when, in the middle of a great battle, Roger has a jolly idea, no-one - not even Roger himself - has a clue that he will soon change the face of pirating forever!

Pirate Puppet
Ages: 5 & Up
Folkmanis, Inc., $14.00

A puppet with masculine appeal, this hand-sized pirate is designed so the puppeteer’s fingers can simultaneously move the head and both hands. Its eye patch, hook, knife, and attire (including “leather” boots) are all sturdy and durable for long hours of play. Use of this puppet can be correlated with stories and poems having pirates as their main characters. Some selected examples are as follows:

Pirates
Ages: 7 - 12 yrs.
Author: Stewart Ross
Copper Beech Books, $7.95 (Paperback)

Razor sharp Dao swords decorated with human hair, pirate crews disguised as women in order to catch their quarry off guard, an actual woman pirate - the terrifying Grace (Grania) O'Malley, who plied her murderous trade for 25 years - these phenomena and oddities are enumerated and gaudily displayed in a "can't put it down" assemblage tracing piracy from the Middle Ages to contemporary highjackings of luxury yachts in the Caribbean.

See-Through Pirates
Ages: 8 - 12 yrs.
Author: Kelly Davis    Illustrator: John Malam
Running Press Kids, $16.95 (Hardcover)

From Captain Hook to Blackbeard, pirates have long captured the imaginations of both children and adults. A stunning collection of tales, facts, images, and maps, this new book goes behind the myths and legends with a look at the reality of life on the ocean. Two special spreads with printed, see-through acetate pages provide a window onto the pirates' greatest weapon-their ship-and the tricks they used to surprise their victims. The battles and treasure hunts that are the stuff of classic pirate adventure stories come alive with more than 120 full-color illustrations. Book Description