Enjoy stories filled with the adventures of pirates and their crews as they sail the seas, teaching lessons about bravery, perseverance, friendship, and how to be yourself. These five books will be a great addition to your child’s bookshelf. They spark individuality, confidence, and just a bit of mischief, so hop aboard as we sail on this extraordinary adventure!
Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke
In this picture book by Cornelia Funke, we meet Captain Firebeard, who assumes he and his crew, the Horrible Haddock, rule the seas. Soon, the crew finds a girl named Molly, and finds that she is not all she seems. After being captured while on her way to her grandmother’s, the feisty girl is put to work, scrubbing the deck, peeling potatoes, and more. She told the voracious crew and Firebeard that they would regret holding her captive. Though they didn’t believe her, they soon met with the fiercest pirate yet: Molly’s mother. This small book reads a new story that shows women pirates are just as fierce and scary.
The Ballad of the Pirate Queens by Jane Yolen
This ballad tells the story of two famous female pirates who sailed the seas. While two sailors were keeping watch, the governor’s men had stormed The Vanity, leading Anne Bonney and Mary Reade to fight bravely. The two were called in vain by their shipmates, who did not participate in the fight. This ballad explores the daring pirates and provides a strong message about the power of women. A ballad may not be a picture book, but it is definitely a type of literature that kids can easily appreciate as they get further into their reading level.
The Skeleton Pirate by David Lucas
The terrifying Skeleton Pirate, known as the Terror of the Seas, has never been beaten, until one day he is thrown overboard by a band of pirates. In the deep waters, he is rescued by a mermaid, who helps him realize that talking it out might be a better way to handle things than fighting. Following this conversation, the Terror of the Sea is swallowed by a whale. Together, the mermaid and the pirate manage to escape the whale’s stomach along with a ship filled with treasure that had also been swallowed. When the skeleton pirate looks into the mermaid’s eyes out in the fresh air, he realizes he’s finally been beaten by love. This small book proves that anyone can change if they so choose.
Roger, the Jolly Pirate by Brett Helquist
Roger is far too happy and jolly to be a fearsome pirate, for he does not plunder, scowl, or make others fear him. He was called Jolly Roger by the other pirates, and it was now out of endearment. Sadly, Roger is sent away when serious pirating needs to take place. One day, in the middle of a battle, Jolly Roger is told to stay out of the way in the ship’s hold until the fighting ceases. Roger wants to be like the pirates around him, but being himself, he comes up with a different kind of plan, which puts pirating on a whole new level.
Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi and John Manders
The Salty Carrot holds a crew of rowdy Buccaneer Bunnies, all led by the brutiest, craziest bunny of all: Barnacle Black Ear. His son, however, Henry, would rather read books than be the baddest of them all, even though he is punished by scrubbing the deck. Though when the times seem tougher than ever, as a storm threatens all they know, Henry and his library of books may be the key to the crew’s survival. Join the wild adventure that will be a staple in your household of book lovers.
I hope these pirate books have impacted you and the children you know. Summer is the time for fun, that’s true, but now that school is starting back up, it is nice to take the opportunity to teach kids about the rest of the world beyond four walls. Take some time to further your child’s imagination. Happy reading, dear readers!
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