A Pirate's Guide to First Grade

Starred review from July 26, 2010
This rambunctious first day tale is fit for any young buccaneer. Leading an imaginary crew who are drawn in pale pencil, the red-haired protagonist shines his “snappers” (brushes his teeth), breakfasts on grub and grog, and boards the “great, grand jolly boat” (also known as the school bus), journeying to meet his teacher: “Silver was her name, and a fine old salt was she!” The pirates are ever-present companions, sharing in the ups and downs of the day (“We counted and spelled ’till we nearly dropped, brain-addled and weary”). Preller’s buoyant pirate-inflected storytelling and Ruth’s illustrations, which have a decidedly vintage flair, form an exuberant tribute to imagination and a spirit of adventure. Ages 3–6.

June 1, 2010

A little boy with pirates on the brain navigates the first day of school. Narrating in a vigorous piratespeak, he takes readers through his day. "Then in the galley, I mashed me choppers on grub and drowned it with grog." It may come as no surprise to learn that school comes as a bit of a letdown: " 'Twas good enough for lubbers, I suppose. But where's me treasure?' " he asks his teacher, "Cap'n" Silver, at the end of the day, and she obliges. Ruth matches the narration with striking line-and-watercolor graphics, surrounding his hero (who sports a skull-and-bones athletic jersey) with sepia-and-white pencil renderings of pirates (and a parrot) who silently kibitz on his day. Pirate-addled readers will dance a jig; press-ganged kids will be happy for the glossary. Good fun, me hearties. (Picture book. 4-7)

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Starred review from August 1, 2010

K-Gr 2-Told entirely in pirate lingo, this story follows a boy and his entourage of ethereal salty dogs through the first day of school. "Me great scurvy dog slurped me kisser when I was tryin' t' get me winks!" The protagonist's fruitful imagination turns ordinary routine into a high-seas adventure complete with a small, skirted buccaneer walking the plank during recess. In the end, where does X mark the spot? Treasure abounds in the library, with the chance to experience the adventure of the written word. The illustrations have a vintage feel, complete with boisterous grog-drinking, scabbard-waving, and bubble-pipe-smoking pirates. The combination of the muted tones of the pirates with the bold colors of the real world adds to the visual appeal. Despite the glossary, the text may prove a little challenging for the intended audience. However, it can serve as a tremendous read-aloud, especially on Talk Like a Pirate Day.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2010
Preschool-G Throughout his first day of first grade, a young boy describes his everyday actions in briny pirate terms, from breakfasting on grub in the galley to meeting Capn Silver (his new teacher) and walking the plank (seesaw) at recess. Each sharply rendered, full-color scene shows a crew of imagined pirates, differentiated in gray-toned drawings, who follow the boy and provide friendly company throughout the day. Young would-be buccaneers facing their own first-day jitters will enjoy this droll title, which ends with a cheer for libraries. A great choice for sharing on September 19, International Talk Like a Pirate Day.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)