How We Became Pirates

Posted by Meg September 19, 2012

How We Became Pirates

Today is my second favorite day of the year...International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Regardless of where I am, I always find a way to celebrate. Being a teacher, I can sorta go all out and get people to join in my fun.

Today we celebrated in style. Since I have the same students I had last year they knew this was coming. Some students wore their skull and crossbones, one girl wore fake tattoos, and I donned my pirate boots. When the kids walked in the room they were assigned a pirate name (I was Captain Long Boots). They could either choose their own or find one via a Pirate Name Generator website. There was a message written in Pirate Talk. We read Pirate Books. Our library is filled with not one, but two pirate book displays. These are the days when I can't think of a better job to have.

For all of you, here are two pirate books to remember for next year. One is the book I read every year, even if they have heard it before. The other was a book that a teacher brought me when we came back to school because he knew how much I LOVED pirates.

My favorite illustration by David Shannon...ever

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon

This is hands down my favorite pirate book of all time. It tells the story of Jeremy Jacob and what happened when his parents were too busy to notice he joined a ship of pirates. Through the skullduggery and swashbuckling ways of Captain Braid Beard, he learns all about being a pirate. For example, pirate manners which include pounding your fists on the table, talking with mouths full, and not saying please or thank you. He learns important pirate words such as "landlubber" and "scurvy dog." Jeremy tries to teach them to play soccer but it doesn't work out so well. Throughout his voyage with Braid Beard and his crew, Jeremy learns some important things about becoming a pirate and being himself.

Pirateology published by Candlewick Press

My coworker, after returning from summer vacation, brought me this book. He found it and remembered how much I loved pirates. I was thrilled to receive it! Part fiction, part nonfiction, it is supposed to be a "found document" about the real lives of pirates. Inside you will find information about some of the most famous pirates, such as Blackbeard and Anne Bonny. There are naviagtion charts, nautical terms, stories of hidden treasure and the different types of pirate flags. What makes this book really appealing to readers, in addition to the content, is that there are things to lift, flip, turn, open, tie, etc. Flaps on different pages reveal the inside of a pirate ship. Leather straps are attached to a page that teaches you how to make a variety of knots. There are letters to open and read. It's like a more mature, and much cooler version of Pat the Bunny. My students immediately gravitate toward these kinds of books simply because the love touching everything. While they are enjoying that, they actually learn something! A welcomed new addition to the pirate book collection.