A Pirate's Guide to First Grade [Hardcover]

James Preller (Author), Greg Ruth (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2010 | Age Level: 3 and up

 Arr! It’s the first day of first grade, and it’s all hands on deck for a young pirate and his crew. How much trouble can they get into? What will they do at recess? And, most important, what treasure awaits them at school?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

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 Cap’n 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. Preschool-Grade 1. --Gillian Engberg

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (July 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031236928X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312369286
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aye, It's a jolly read!, September 16, 2010

By 

Doreen (Elmwood Park, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Pirate's Guide to First Grade (Hardcover)

I just purchased this book locally for a boy's birthday gift. I am off to return to the store to purchase an additional copy for my son. They are both 1st graders.

This story is entirely written in pirate-speak, and is the boys piratized retelling of his first day of school. It will be entertaining for parent and child. I think this is more of a "read with parent" book. Not sure most beginning readers would take this on themselves, but advanced readers may be able to read it alone. Many of the words are shortened and apostrophed... 'round instead of around and, for example, the question have you been " 't school a'fore " - the answer " no, nay, ne'er ". I imagine this will be a really fun book to read with my son, what with all the voices we can do...

There were several parts that made me just burst out laughing while reading it (alone mind you!)

The illustrations are fantastic, as te boy tells the story of his first day of first grade the illustrations show the real boy, mom, teachers, dressed for a typical day, but the story line is illustrated in the background sepia pencil drawings of the imagined pirate tale that is the boys retelling of his day.
Well, let me be off to the book store (to pay full price) so my son can have a copy too!

5.0 out of 5 stars The fun is in the discovery..., November 2, 2010

By 

Caliboots - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Pirate's Guide to First Grade (Hardcover)

In addition to having a young reader at home, I volunteer for storytimes in school. This book is a hit! It is a seamless brew of words and art -- such a great picture book for a wide age range, not just preschoolers. (Older kids enjoy the challenge of reading it aloud to younger ones.) Pirate-speak may be unfamiliar to some kids, but they'll love hearing it read aloud; The FUN in this great book -- in every great book, really -- is in the discovery of what it's all about. I love seeing kids put it all together. It's a necessary approach to literacy.(Plus, there is a great glossary in the back, just in case). What a fun gift this is.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ARR! It's a Tough Read, October 13, 2010

By 

Beverly L. Archer "Booklady123" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Pirate's Guide to First Grade (Hardcover)

Synopsis: Arr! It's the first day of first grade, and it's all hands on deck for a young pirate and his crew. How much trouble can they get into? What will they do at recess? And, most important, what treasure awaits them at school?

Though the illustrations are beautifully done and children are sure to enjoy the contrast between what the pirates are doing and what the boy and his classmates are doing, I'm not convinced this book is a success for its targeted audience. The text is rather challenging for K-2nd and may require some interpretation from adults so that the young reader can successfully follow the story. However, it would be a great read aloud for Talk like a Pirate Day.
Though the targeted audience is K-2nd (specifically 1st grade), my recommendation would be for 4th grade and up.