Review
“Kids will love the contrast between the antics of the imaginary pirates and the regular school-day routine.” ―Scripps Howard News Service
“This rambunctious first day tale is fit for any young buccaneer… 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.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Young would-be buccaneers facing their own first-day jitters will enjoy this droll title, which ends with a cheer or libraries. A great choice for sharing on September 19, International Talk Like a Pirate Day.” ―Booklist
“The illustrations have a vintage feel, complete with boisterous grog-drinking, scabbard-waving, and bubble-pipe-smoking pirates…a tremendous read-aloud, especially on Talk Like a Pirate Day.” ―School Library Journal, starred review
“Pirate-addled readers will dance a jig; press-ganged kids will be happy for the glossary. Good fun, me hearties.” ―Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
James Preller is the author of the popular Jigsaw Jones mystery books, which have sold more than 10 million copies since 1998. He is also the author of Bystander, named a 2009 Junior Library Guild Selection, Six Innings, an ALA Notable Book, and Mighty Casey, his own twist on the classic poem, "Casey at the Bat." In addition to writing full-time, Preller plays in a men's hardball league and coaches Little League. He compares coaching kids to "trying to hold the attention of a herd of earthworms." He lives in Delmar, New York, with his wife, three children, cats and dog.
Greg Ruth lives and works in the landlocked woodlands of Western Massachusetts with his wife, Jen, and two boys, Emmett and Nathaniel, where he crafts graphic novels, children's picture books, and many other items to pass the long days not at sea. While he did indeed attend first grade, sadly, he was without pirate accompaniment. However, he has pondered a hook for his left hand (but only because he thinks they're really cool).
