Pirate

This book provides a solid overview of pirates and piracy similar to PIRATES by B. P. J. Williams but for a slightly higher reading level. The content is short and sweet -- perhaps too short for a child with a keen interest in the subject. Each pirate-related topic receives a two page spread. Blurbs of information beneath headings in bold center around photographs and drawings. Descriptions of actual pirates are sprinkled throughout rather than having a section devoted solely to them. The map showing the plundering ground for each type of pirate is particularly helpful. The history of the term "bogeyman" is a gem. The section on pirate flags gives some very good information, but it also contains a minor error. Captain Bartholomew Robert's (Black Bart's) flag is described as showing him drinking with death, but many pirate aficionados would argue that he is holding up an hourglass and not a wine glass, which alters the flag's the meaning. I highly recommend it for any young reader interested in learning about pirates. Also recommend: PIRATES by B. P. J. Williams and Richard Platt, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A PIRATE'S PRISONER! by John Malam, David Salariya, and David Antram, PIRATES (Worldwise) by Scott Steedman, and PIRATES (Reading Railroad) by Dina Anastasio.

My four year old son loves this book because of the wonderful photos and maps. We skip over the inappropriate pages for a small child (torture and punishment pages)! He wants to read it every night and has really learned great facts about geography and history. The pirate facts are realistic, not glamorized.