AUTHOR:   Melinda Long
AGES:   Preschool - Elementary
REVIEW:   How I Became a Pirate will make you laugh...if you're a kid or an adult.  The story of Braid Beard offering Jeremy Jacob to join his crew will keep you wondering where the story goes.  The pirate language and humorous observations by Jeremy Jacob will make you giggle, and if you use your best pirate voice, then every kid will pay close attention, laughing at all the right parts.  Not be missed are the incredible illustrations by David Shannon.  the detail and humor in all the paintings are awesome. 

I read this one to my duaghter's preschool class (in my best pirate voice) and they were mesmerized and laughing at all the antics from the pirates.  They especially like the very end when Jeremy Jacob takes off for soccer practice and they find out what his team is called.  While pirates might seem like a "boy's" topic, the girls liked it, too. Everyone kept inching up closer and closer to investigate the illustrations.

Melinda Long's Web site has a short synopsis of the story, and Hallsville Intermediate School's Book Blog has an audio recording of the students reading the book.  This would be a great addition if you had emergent readers or struggling readers and they wanted to follow along.  Melinda visited my sister Lisa's school and read to the kids.  At Melinda's site you can also check out her schedule to see where she'll be and when you might could meet her.  Also, at Melinda's blog, you can see updates from the author herself and recommendations for integration into your curriculum.  If you like this one, then be sure to check out the sequel in Pirates Don't Change Diapers.  Just as funny and entertaining.

 


Comments

Matthew Teal

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:45:24

Melinda Long's book "How I Became a Pirate" seems like an enjoyable book to read to children. I have no children of my own, but I'm sure that one day this will be a book that I will read to my children when I put them to bed (in my best pirate voice of course.

 

Heather Carpenter

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:36:10

This book seems like an awesome choice! My daughters will really love this book. My daughters are 2 & almost 4 and they love to read. We love making voices! Thank you for posting about this book!

 

Anna

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:20:46

Ahoy! What a fun story! I thought about trying to locate my pirate’s patch, a treasure from teaching preschoolers for many years, but then I read about the audio recording. I clicked over to check it out! Oh, my! How exciting and what fun! Now, I am in the middle of learning how to guide my preservice teachers in a similar recording experience. Thank you for sharing.

 

Michael G.

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:40:47

Anna, I encourage you to give VoiceThread (http://ed.voicethread.com/about/) a try. They have a K-12 section with some really cool stuff. Check out the one about "Give these women a holiday!"

 

Cathy M

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:50:41

I absolutely love How I Became a Pirate and the follow up to it, Pirates Don't Change Diapers. I read them both to my classes at the U of M and to my 22 and 20 year old children at home. I love these books. Of course you have to use the voices when you read the books. David Shannon's illustrations are fantastic. Try some of his other books like Stripes.

 

Anna

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:29:18

Dr. Grant,
Tonight was the night to try out VoiceThread. Wow... what fun! Voice Thread is top on the list for next semester, for sure! The preservice teachers will love it. Thank you.

We are in the middle of mastering Audacity, while recording a children’s book. Yesterday was peer review day. They did an awesome job! It was a fun-teachery-giggly time! The character voices they created were a hoot! They loved it! The young children will love listening and learning from them, too! Another door has opened, for teaching and learning to take place.

 

Ashley

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:33:52

Wow! After reading this review I wanted to go get this book and read it for myself! It seems like the type of book that younger students can stay engaged with and want it read over and over again. Elementary ages especialy love books with humor and they would already be captured by the title of the book! I can't wait to read this and introduce it to my students!

 

Dr. Grant

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:04:38

Ashley, kids really, really like it. It's great fun! Let me know how your students like it.

 

Emily

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:29:39

This sounds like a wonderful book to read! Who doesn't love a good story about kids and pirates? I cannot wait to find this book and read it to a classroom "in my best pirate voice". I'm sure they will love it, and there is a good chance that I will enjoy myself just as much as they do.

 



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