AHOY! September 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day – a day that encourages everyone to talk like scallywags and enjoy all things pirate! Here in the Richmond Public Library Youth Services department, we take this very unserious holiday very seriously. In fact, Main Library staff will be dressed as pirates all day, host a special pirate-themed storytime at 10:30 AM, and offer piratey fun like crafts and treasure hunts the rest of the day. Come dressed like a pirate and spin the Wheel of Plunder for a prize!
To celebrate this holiday further, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite pirate children’s books. We hope you enjoy these, and may they take you on adventures across the seven seas. Yo ho ho ho, mateys! A pirate’s life for me!
Books for Scallywags, Scoundrels, and Pirates
The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague
Pirates Blackbeard Johnson and his brothers, Eyepatch Sue, and others sail over to Peg Leg Jones’ for a happily chaotic pirate jamboree–until the S.S. Clean Your Room (otherwise known as Mrs. Jones) arrives and playtime is definitely over.
Twenty-Six Pirates by Dave Horowitz
As Colin imagines himself in a series of adventures beginning with joining a pirate crew, his mother assures him that she will always be there to help if he needs her.
Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by James Dean
Pete the Cat and his crew battle a sea monster as they follow a map to find a hidden treasure.
Bad Pirate by Kari-Lynn Winters
In a crew of mean, scurvy sea dogs, Augusta Garrick finds that she is polite and helpful, and only when a terrible storm threatens the ship can Augusta prove that being a nice person can also mean being a good pirate.
Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate by Rachael MacFarlane
Eleanor uses her imagination to become a princess, a pirate, musician, superhero, ballerina, ninja, and more.
Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck by Brian Yanish
Barnyard chicken Lily realizes her dream of becoming a pirate but when she turns into the feared Redfoot, her crew stages a mutiny and Lily may have to “squawk the plank.”
Mermaid and Pirate by Tracey Baptiste
An encounter between a brown mermaid and pirate launches a humorous tale of friendship that shows how kindness and empathy go beyond words.
Never Mess With A Pirate Princess! by Holly Ryan
When a pirate steals Princess Prudence’s favorite stuffed animal, the very determined princess embarks on a high-seas adventure to rescue her beloved royal teddy bear.
Arrr, Mustache Baby! by Bridget Heos
Mustache Baby and his first mate, Beard Baby, set out to be heroes on the high seas, but soon the lure of pirate treasure takes hold.
Babajoon’s Treasure by Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz
While spending time with her Babajoon and Mamanjoon, Miriam begins to notice details about her Babajoon that make her think he could be a pirate, which leads him to share memories with her about his childhood in Iran.
The Sinking of Captain Otter by Troy Wilson
A delightful read-aloud about Kelpy, a sea otter and sea captain, and his friendship with a butterfly pirate in a teeny-tiny boat. A heartwarming tale filled with rhyme, repetition, and lots of fun.
