A Pirate's Guide to First Grade

by James Preller, Greg Ruth (Illustrator)

Overview

AHOY MATEYS! The first day of first grade is FUN for a boy accompanied by a band of pirates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466802971
Publisher:	Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:	07/20/2010
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	50 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

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.”

Greg Ruth is the illustrator of many graphic novels and books for children, including A Pirate’s Guide to First Grade and A Pirate’s Guide to Recess by James Preller, and is also the author/illustrator of Going Home and The Lost Boy, a New York Times bestseller.

Editorial Reviews

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. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

“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

From the Publisher

K-Gr 2—A young buccaneer relates his first day of school in this predominantly iconographic version of the book (Feiwel & Friends, 2010) by James Preller. The author introduces the story harkening back to his own childhood and immersion in "the world of make believe." The red-haired, freckle-faced protagonist, who looks like he stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting, wakes in a room filled with pirate toys and paraphernalia. He proceeds to narrate his day in authentic pirate lingo: he shines his snappers before heading down to the galley for grub; he greets "a salty crew of swabbies" as he boards his "ship" (a yellow school bus); Cap'n Silver is his teacher; at recess, "we even made one buccaneer walk the plank." As the first tiring day nears an end, he wonders, "Where's me treasure?" His wise teacher hands him a map, which leads him to the school library and a coveted copy of Treasure Island, among other riches. As in the book, the boy and his surroundings are painted in vivid color by Greg Ruth, while the ghostly pirate crew appears as pale brown sketches, figments of our collective imaginations. While some of the language will challenge viewers, close-ups and limited animation help clarify meaning. Strings and woodwinds provide subtle background music that captures the adventurous spirit. Show this the first weeks of school to playfully introduce the school building and routines as well as on September 19th for International Talk Like a Pirate Day!—Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, NY

School Library Journal