How do pirates know they are pirates? They think, therefore they arrrre!
Talk Like a Pirate Day was created in 1995 by John Baur, also known as Ol' Chumbucket, and Mark Summers aka Cap'n Slappy, of Albany, Oregon. They proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. Why? Why not?!
What did the pirate say when he got his leg stuck in the freezer? Shiver me timbers!
The Alachua County Library District has been celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day for over 10 years. Some staff at various branches dress up in their finest pirate garb and use their best pirate speech. If you're lucky they just might offer you some treasure from their treasure chest. Of course, there is always the chance you'll be told to walk to plank too, so be warned matey.
What is a pirate's least favorite vegetable? Leeks.
New to pirate speech? Here are some common pirate phrases and their meaning:
- ahoy - hello
- avast - stop or pay attention
- blimey - oh my goodness
- heave ho - work harder
- savvy? - do you understand?
- shiver me timbers - shock or disbelief
- landlubber - someone who is uncomfortable at sea
- lily-livered - a coward
- briney deep - the ocean
- hang the jib - frown
- hearties - friends
- peg leg - wooden leg
- run a rig - play a trick
- scuttle - to sink a ship
- all hands hoay - everyone on the deck
- head - toilet
- Jolly Roger - famous pirate flag with a skull and crossbones
- seadog - an old sailor or pirate
- coffer - a chest full of treasure
If you're looking for some fun and interesting pirate materials, look no further. Check out these items from your local library branch.
- Children's Picture Books
-
These books are perfect for children who are not reading on their own yet, generally in the 3 to 6 age range. They rely heavily on pictures and illustrations to tell a story and are great for story time at the library or at home.
Image
E GAIMAN, N.
Long John has a whole crew of wild pirates in tow, and - for two intrepid children he's about to transform a perfectly ordinary evening into a crazy adventure beneath a pirate moon. It's time to make some PIRATE STEW.
Marvellously silly and gloriously entertaining, this tale of pirates, flying ships, donut feasts and some rather magical stew is perfect for all pirates, both young and old. With a deliciously rhyming text from master storyteller Neil Gaiman, and spellbinding illustrations by the supremely talented Chris Riddell, three-times-winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, this is the picture book of the year! Joyful, quirky and action-packed, it makes a spectacular and magical gift.Image
Octopants and the Missing Pirate Underpants by Suzy Senior
E SENIOR, S.
Puffer Fish wakes up one morning to find that his pirate underwear has been taken from the clothesline! So Octopants the octopus offers to help look for them. They check Lobster’s Laundry, look through Mermaid’s hair, and even stop by Mussel’s Fitness Club, but the underwear isn’t anywhere. They even find a shipwreck that’s full of underwear collected by friendly pirates, but there’s still no sign of Puffer Fish’s underwear. Then Shark appears and wants to join the group. But what’s that on her head?
Image
Dig Here by David & Stephanie Miles
E MILES, D.
A hapless pirate digs for rubies, pearls, and coins, but after three attempts, two naps, and one lousy map, he's unearthed nothing but a sore back and serious misgivings. Blistering barnacles! Will he ever find the treasure?
Bursts of unexpected color make the busy illustrations worth diving into, from edge to electric edge, as the pirate bumbles his way toward a revelation that will tickle young readers.
Image
Sammy the Seasick Pirate by Janelle Springer-Willms
E SPRINGER
Sammy can't wait to become a pirate just like his papa. He knows how to swim in the ocean, dig for treasure, and even shoot a bow and arrow. There is just one problem . . . when Sammy is on a boat, he gets seasick! But he is determined to not let his stomach get in the way of his dreams. Inspired by the real legend of Barbados pirate Sam Hall Lord, this humorous picture book shows how one boy's cleverness leads him to become one of the most famous pirates in history.
Image
Dandelion Magic by Darren Farrell
E FARRELL
Close your eyes, make a wish, and blow up a storm with this interactive, imaginative adventure for fans of Press Here.
Jonah’s nana has always told him that some dandelions are magical and can grant wishes. When a wish turns Jonah into a pirate, it’s up to the reader to help him navigate the choppy waters and all the great monsters he meets by blowing the wind, making faces, and doing raspberries. - Early Readers/Beginning Readers
-
These books are considered the earliest chapter book a child can experience. Broken up into smaller chapters, early readers are a great way to boost confidence in young readers. While they are mostly read from the ages 5-9, early readers can be enjoyed by anyone!
Image
Peg + Cat The Pirate Problem by Jennifer Oakley
E BEGIN OAKLEY, J.
When Peg and Cat encounter hungry pirates by the seashore, they've got to think fast. Pirates get cranky when they're hungry, and when pirates are cranky, they sing -- really badly! To spare their ears, Peg and Cat must make sure each pirate gets his fair share of fruit -- the same amount for everyone. And when a sneaky monkey steals a few peaches, Peg and Cat have to divide the fruit up all over again. Will they be able to give everyone an equal share and keep those pirates from singing their really badly?
Image
Eloise's Pirate Adventure by Lisa McClatchy
E BEGIN ELOISE
Eloise is the story of a precocious six-year-old girl who lives in the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The main conflict is that Eloise, besides the help of the loving Nanny, is left to raise herself. She fills up her time by finding anything and everything to keep her busy, some of which leads to borderline trouble.
In this hilarious adventure Eloise dresses up as a pirate with her faithful sidekick Weenie. Join them as the search for pirate treasure!
Image
Captain Cat and the Pirate Lunch by Emma J. Virjan
E BEGIN VIRJAN, E.
Set sail with the brave and bold Captain Cat and her new friends in the first book in a new Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read series by the author-illustrator of the Pig in a Wig series!
Captain Cat sees three yellow birds on her pirate ship. Will they join Captain Cat for lunch, or will they become her lunch? One brave bird has a plan in this sweet story about misunderstanding and unlikely friendship!Image
Rafi and Rosi Pirates! by Lulu Delacre
E BEGIN DELACRE
Rafi and his younger sister, Rosi, are excited to visit El Morro Fort, the four-hundred-year-old fortress that guards the entrance to San Juan harbor. At the fort they pretend to be pirates, engage in a fierce battle, and learn about Roberto Cofres, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate. As they go deeper into the fort they discover a gleaming, hidden treasure, Spanish gold doubloons and silver pieces of eight hidden in the inner reaches of the fort's kitchen. After turning over their discovery to the fort's museum, Rafi is ready to go back to Tia Ana's home, but Rosi wants to play hide-and-seek. And Rosi sees the perfect place to hide--in the stone sentry box that once housed the fort's lookout guards. Little does she know that the sentry box might be haunted!
Image
Pirate Adventure by Lana Edelman
E BEGIN EDELMAN
The first leveled reader featuring the characters from Mr. Men Little Miss!
Mr. Happy and his friends are sailing across the ocean when pirates haul them aboard their ship. Will the Mr. Men and Little Misses adapt to pirate life, and will they find the captain's sunken treasure? Get ready for some silly fun as the Mr. Men have an adventure with pirates!
- Chapter Books/Juvenile Fiction
-
Chapter books are generally for children ages 9-12 and they are 4,000-15,000 words in length. These books have more content and more complex language than the children may have seen before. Therefore, they are broken into chapters to help the readers better comprehend the material.
Image
Pirate Queen: The Legend of Grace O'Malley by Tony Lee
JFICTION LEE, T.
A true daughter of the fearsome O'Malley clan, Grace spent her life wishing to join the fight to keep Henry VIII's armies from invading her homeland of Ireland -- only to be told again and again that the battlefield is no place for a woman. But after English conspirators brutally murder her husband, Grace can no longer stand idly by. Leading men into battle on the high seas, Grace O'Malley quickly gains a formidable reputation as the Pirate Queen of Ireland with her prowess as a sailor and skill with a sword. But her newfound notoriety puts the lives of Grace and her entire family in danger and eventually leads to a confrontation with the most powerful woman in England: Queen Elizabeth I. With a gripping narrative and vivid, action-packed illustrations, the fourth entry in Tony Lee and Sam Hart's Heroes and Heroines series captures the intensity and passion of one of history's fiercest female warriors.
Image
The Pirate Pig by Cornelia Funke
JFICTION FUNKE, C.
Who needs a treasure map when you have a pirate pig with a nose for gold? Stout Sam and his deckhand, Pip, find a pig washed up in a barrel on the beach. They want to keep her as a pet, but they soon realize Julie is no ordinary pig. She can sniff out treasure! What happens if Barracuda Bill, the greediest and meanest pirate who ever sailed the seas, hears about Julie’s special talent?
Image
Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler
JFANTASY KESSLER
Traveling home by cruise ship should be a relaxing break after Emily’s latest adventure, but things take a turn when the ship is overtaken by a pirate king and his crew. After the pirates collect everyone’s riches, they steal something even more valuable: Aaron. The pirate king’s eldest son takes Aaron captive, forcing him to help guide the pirates to the mythical Trident’s Treasure. So Emily dives into action and joins the younger son’s crew in hopes of saving Aaron. But while experiencing life on the waves, Emily is surprised to find herself not only enjoying the pirate life, but actually bonding with the crew — especially Sam, the pirate king’s son. Between helping Sam unravel riddles to beat his brother to the treasure and making sure that her friends are safe, Emily realizes that she needs to be true to herself. Will she cast aside her mermaid life to join her new friends, or will she find a way to follow her own path?
Image
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
JFICTION STEVENSO
From the moment young Jim Hawkins first encounters the sinister Blind Pew at the Admiral Benbow Inn until the climactic battle for treasure on a tropic isle, the novel creates scenes and characters that have fired the imaginations of generations of readers. Written by a superb prose stylist, a master of both action and atmosphere, the story centers upon the conflict between good and evil - but in this case a particularly engaging form of evil. It is the villainy of that most ambiguous rogue Long John Silver that sets the tempo of this tale of treachery, greed, and daring.
Image
Lintang the Pirate Queen by Tamara Moss
JFANTASY MOSS, T.
Lintang dreams of escaping her island home and having adventures on the high seas. She gets her chance when she and her best friend, Bayani, face a deadly mythie and survive, attracting the attention of the infamous Captain Shafira. Lintang’s bravery earns her an invitation onto the ship of the pirate queen, who is on her way to hunt down a nest of vicious sirens.
But they’ve barely left the island when Lintang discovers that Bayani has risked his life to stow away. Worse, he won’t tell her why. Lintang must choose whether to be loyal to Captain Shafira and continue with her adventures, or be loyal to her best friend and lose everything she’s ever wanted. - Juvenile Non-Fiction
-
A nonfiction book is one that tells you facts and information about the world around you. It can cover almost any topic, from wild animals to Vikings. If it's about something that really happened or something that really exists, it is nonfiction.
Image
J910.45 PLA 2007
Eyewitness has been turning out fantastic books since 1988, they now have over one hundred titles. Take a close up look at the colorful and cruel robbers of the sea. Learn who devised the terrifying Jolly Roger, how a surprisingly disciplined life was maintained aboard pirate ships, and what cunning ruses pirates used to lure merchants to their doom. Be an eyewitness to the activities of pirates, from the barbarous corsairs of the Mediterranean to the rough buccaneers of the Spanish Main.
Image
How to Be a Pirate by John Malam
J910.45 MAL 2004
The year is 1680, and once you sign on to the ship, there's no turning back. You'll need to learn new skills, like tying knots, rowing, and sword fighting. You'll be taught how to pump out the bilge and repair torn sails. But most of all, you'll want to capture ships and seize their treasure. Be ready to answer questions during your job interview at the end of the book. Answer most of them right, and you'll get the job!
Image
Pirate Queens: Dauntless Women Who Dared to Rule the High Seas by Leigh Lewis
J910.45 LEW 2021
This incredible book proves that women have been making their mark in all aspects of history, even on the high seas. Each pirate profile includes a dramatic original poem presented against a backdrop of gorgeous full color art by award winning illustrator Sara Gómez Woolley. Each profile is followed by fascinating information about the real life and times of these daring and dangerous women.
Vetted by the world’s leading pirate experts and historians, this book is cool and edgy. It’s also perfect for any curious kid who dreams of adventure and for parents who are eager to show their kids that history is more diverse, daring, and surprising than what is typically found in textbooks.Image
J741.2 MCL 2008
Majestic tall ships with billowing sails and a spider web of rope rigging. Massive stone forts with turrets, towers, and blazing cannons. Treasure chests filled with gleaming gold and colorful jewels. Parrots, sea monsters, and ocean-blasted docks. And most important of all, the cunning yet heroic pirate complete with blunderbuss, sword and battle torn clothes. Nothing excites the imagination more than the world of pirates, and now "Pirate Arrrt!" shows readers how to bring it all to life with their own personal drawings.
Image
Pirate Gear: Cannons, Swords, & the Jolly Roger by Liam O'Donnell
J910.45 ODO 2007
Describes the tools, clothes, and equipment pirates used for daily life at sea, as well as the weapons used for their deadly raids on merchant ships. Filled with great illustrations and written in a easy to understand writing style, this book should appeal to every age reader.
How do you make a pirate very angry? Just take away the p.