Ahoy, Matey! Here Be the Best Pirate Books for Kids
by Tom Burns
Did you know that September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? If you already knew that, chances are, you either a) have a co-worker who is WAY too pleased with their Jack Sparrow impression or b) have a kid, because kids LOVE pirates. If you want to spend the 19th chatting with your young ones about “bilge rats” and “pieces of eight,” here are some arrgh-mazing picture books that will have your whole family talking like a pirate in no time.
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Captain Jack and the Pirates
Available from:Ready for an adventure filled with imagination and fun? Jack, Zack, and Caspar get stranded on a deserted island, find treasure, and get captured by pirates. A tasty surprise ending makes this light-hearted pirate story an extra-sweet read.
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How to Be a Pirate (LEGO)
Available from:Arr! LEGO lovers can’t get enough of sailing the high seas with Cecilia and her grandfather’s pirate crew in this Little Golden Book. Adorable Minifigures and pirate talk make this fun and humorous book a must-read for any aspiring pirate.
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When I Was a Pirate
Available from:A grandfather recounts his adventures as a swashbuckling pirate for his grandchildren in this exciting picture book. He tells them about spotting whales, finding treasure, and working on the ship. The rhyming text and vibrant illustrations keep young readers engaged and make this story an excellent read-aloud.
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Octopants and the Missing Pirate Underpants
Available from:A pair of pirate underwear vanishes in this rib-tickling sequel to Octopants. Help Octopants and his friend Puffer Fish as they search all over town for the missing undies. Children will squeal with laughter when they find the underwear in an unlikely place.
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CliFF the Failed Troll
Available from:Cliff the troll doesn’t feel like he belongs. He can’t build bridges, he can’t win a staring competition, and as a vegetarian, he is lousy at goat gobbling. Cliff would much rather be a pirate! Is pirate school where he truly belongs? This humorous and heartwarming book is all about feeling different and embracing our true selves.
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Never Mess with a Pirate Princess!
Available from:Never get between a princess and her favorite toy! When a pirate kidnaps her beloved teddy bear, Princess Prudence takes on the entire pirate crew. Young readers will adore this funny story about adventure, determination, and children’s special love for their toys.
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Captain Beastlie's Pirate Party
Most kids know that pirates smell terrible. Still, Captain Beastlie’s stench is on another level. He smells so badly that not even his crew wants to be around him. When his birthday arrives, the other pirates give the captain a gift everyone on the ship can appreciate.
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DK Readers L2: Pirate Attack!
Available from:Kids interested in real-life pirates will devour this nonfiction leveled reader. They’ll learn about the legendary Captain Blackbeard and his crew as they patrol the ocean, attacking ships and stealing cargo. Photos and facts about pirate life make this book an excellent choice for beginning readers.
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Pirate Pups! (Paw Patrol)
Available from:Go on a swashbuckling treasure hunt with the puppies from PAW Patrol! Fans of the animated television series will love this adorable pirate-themed Little Golden Book.
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The Pirates Are Coming!
Available from:Plot twists, humor, and exciting artwork make this salty spin on The Boy Who Cried Wolf a storytime favorite. A young boy repeatedly mistakes various boats for pirate ships and alerts his seaside village to the danger. No pirates appear, and the townspeople stop paying attention to him—just in time for actual pirates to show up.
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The Word Pirates
Available from:The pirates in this book don’t steal gold and jewels; they plunder stories and eat the words. Thankfully, the Word Wizard knows how to stop the pirates from gobbling up all the stories. With the help of her trusty pen and a group of young friends, the Word Wizard shows the marauders that words are for reading, not eating.
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Dinosaur Pirates!
Join your favorite group of dinosaur friends as they set sail on a high seas adventure! With their ship filled with treasure, it doesn’t take long before the dino crew gets attacked by greedy pirates. They’ll have to work together to defeat the pirates and escape with their ship and treasure intact.
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The Treasure of El Bravo (Santiago of the Seas)
If your child loves the television series, Santiago of the Seas, they’ll want to read the books, too. In this story, Santiago and his friends must track down and rescue a valuable piece of treasure from a notorious thief.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2022.