Module 11: What If You Met a Pirate by Jan Adkins

Summary

This book starts out with a stereotypical picture of a pirate. The image is straight out of a movie and it is the image that most of us see in our heads when we think of the word “pirate.” The text around the pirate debunks many of the myths surrounding pirates. There are many surprises. Pirates did not force people to “walk the plank.” The author does a great job of illustrating what hard workers pirates are.
The illustrations are bright with heavy lines. They have an aesthetic quality that both children and adults can enjoy. The illustrations work very well with the text to show a different side of the pirate life.

My Impressions

This book is very enjoyable and I learned a lot. As you can tell, I really enjoyed the illustrations. I think they worked perfectly with the text and have rarely seen such a good marriage of the two. I honestly did not think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. This is why it is always a good idea to open up to new genres and ideas.
This book reminded me of the DK Series books. In my opinion, there is no higher compliment.

Reviews

In a send-up of current book marketing, the back cover carries appreciative comments by the likes of Queen Elizabeth I and Leonardo da Vinci. Where pirate fever runs high this spirited presentation will find an enthusiastic audience. For more titles, see the Read-alikes, Ship Ahoy! BKL S 1 04. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2004
Booklist

Adkins's detailed renderings will be as familiar to fans of his other nonfiction books as his tongue-in-cheek humor, both of which appeal to a broad range of ages. A fun and informative read.Laurie Edwards, Infinity Charter School, Harrisburg, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal

Usage in a Library Setting

This would be an excellent book to highlight unusual careers although it may offend some due to recent events. Shockingly, there are still people in this world who make their living pirating. (Obviously the inclusion of pirates would only be for discussion. Children and parents would have a disclaimer letting them know that stealing is illegal and wrong morally.) This could lead to a lengthy discussion on morality, but this discussion would have to be entered into carefully.