Pirates

We recently decided to turn one of our rooms into a pirate school for the day, with a ship, crocodile infested waters and treasure (assemble all pirate related toys & mix with lots of imagination). I made sure we also included a book corner for more piratical adventures & here are our favourites

Thats Not My Pirate by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells

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I have to confess on not being so keen on this whole series of books, but it was definately a favourite with Bryn when he was a little & he loved all the different textures, silky shirt, shiny cutlass etc. A nice gentle introduction to pirates

That's my pirate, her smile is so sweet

The Troll by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by David Roberts

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Bryn got this book last Christmas it has been consistently read ever since and enjoyed by the whole family. It’s such a clever story, intertwining the tale of a troll who lives under bridges looking for a goat & pirates hunting for treasure. The quirky sophisticated illustrations complement the story perfectly while the split panels gives the story a comic book feel & adds some pace. This has been one of those books with many layers which Bryn has enjoyed discovering as he grows, a real gem of a book.

Captain Abdul’s Pirate School by Colin McNaughton

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A rollicking read, with sullen protagonist, larger than life pirates, skulduggery, mutiny and plenty of ooh-arrgh. The story is told via the diary pages of Pickles & her days at Captain Abdul’s Pirate school. On stumbling upon a kidnap plot Pickles & fellow classmates show their true pirate colours & declare mutiny. I think Bryn enjoys the familiarity of a school setting especially as his current favourite game is playing nursery & taking the role of teacher. His favourite page is when the cast of teachers are introduced. Personally I feel I don’t do justice to the story when reading it aloud, with so many colourful characters they all deserve a special voice. Each double page spread illustration is also packed with humorous detail and plenty of action.

My name is Captain Bryn the Chatty, I'm a teacher so they say, of pirate stories & sword play

Pirate Pete by Nick Sharratt

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This is a ‘change your own story’ with cardboard cut outs of a range of objects which can be inserted into this short simple tale. A year on & I am still amazed that we still have all the cut outs in one piece & still in the book. Originally Bryn was happy just adding the pieces in like a puzzle, he is now appreciating be the creator of funny sentences such as “She had a cake on her head” . Am looking forward to the next stage when Bryn wants to make up his own suggestions for the text & truly begin to create funny stories.

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