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Pirate's Guides
A Pirate's Guide to Recess
Ahoy, mateys!
It’s time for recess, and the schoolyard is teeming with young pirates ready for action. Who will rule the stormy seas of the playground? Recess has never been such an adventure!
It’s time for recess, and the schoolyard is teeming with young pirates ready for action. Who will rule the stormy seas of the playground? Recess has never been such an adventure!
36 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2013
37 people want to read
About the author
James Preller
202 books142 followersJames Preller (born 1961) is the children's book author of the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries, which are published by Scholastic Corporation. He grew up in Wantagh, New York and went to college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, James Preller was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced (through their books) to many noatable children's authors. This inspired James Preller to try writing his own books. James Preller published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. Since that time, James Preller has written a variety of books, and has written under a number of pen names, including Mitzy Kafka, James Patrick, and Izzy Bonkers. James Preller lives in Delmar, New York with his wife Lisa and their three children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 14, 2021
I can actually remember 'themed' recess like this: for the boys it was usually 'Star Trek' landing party or 'Planet of the Apes' escape from prison - the girls just let us know how stupid we were. I wonder if children really play this way anymore - a nice book with fantastic art.
July 18, 2023
I love the glossary of terms on the back end pages.
June 25, 2013
Wonderful depiction of imaginative play will bring back fond memories of playground adventures for both adults and youngsters.
September 6, 2013
Ahoy there, bucko - you'll definitely want to read this treasure of a picture book double quick lest ye be a lubber on your next voyage!
This adorable book is simply children playing at recess as pirates, but the illustrations make it so much more than that... As the children pretend to be pirates, there are sketches of "real" pirates surrounding them (along with their ships, parrots, and eye patches) as they romp on the playground. As the reader is drawn into the story more and more, the playground slowly disappears entirely, and soon we are all aboard the pirate ships together.
Throughout the text, the children use many words/phrases that pirates might, and although they may be confusing to young readers, there is a handy glossary on the back endpapers defining them. Also, the occasional gothic font may be difficult to decipher for early readers, so having experienced readers around to help is recommended.
This book beautifully captures the imagination of children from the start, and is highly recommended. It would be a great read-aloud for Grade K+, which I'm sure will lead to much "walking the planks" and "swabbing the decks" with "jolly rogers" flying everywhere!
This adorable book is simply children playing at recess as pirates, but the illustrations make it so much more than that... As the children pretend to be pirates, there are sketches of "real" pirates surrounding them (along with their ships, parrots, and eye patches) as they romp on the playground. As the reader is drawn into the story more and more, the playground slowly disappears entirely, and soon we are all aboard the pirate ships together.
Throughout the text, the children use many words/phrases that pirates might, and although they may be confusing to young readers, there is a handy glossary on the back endpapers defining them. Also, the occasional gothic font may be difficult to decipher for early readers, so having experienced readers around to help is recommended.
This book beautifully captures the imagination of children from the start, and is highly recommended. It would be a great read-aloud for Grade K+, which I'm sure will lead to much "walking the planks" and "swabbing the decks" with "jolly rogers" flying everywhere!
July 13, 2017
At recess time, the playground is full of young pirates and the rest of their crew. Cap’n Red and the lads keep being followed by Molly, but she and her pirate crew won’t give up or surrender. Red wants to fight Molly to keep her away from his ship, but his crew turns against their captain to avoid a fight. When he refuses to play nice, Red is marooned out to see. When the bell rings, however, Molly lets him go and they go back to school with plans to play again tomorrow.
This book shows the two children in full color and their pirate crews in sketches around them to show that they are part of the game Molly and Red play. It shows a great relationship with children and how their imagination can go to work during recess and during the day when they are studying. The book uses a lot of pirate vocabulary, but lubbers (non-sailors) can use the vocabulary homework sheet at the back of the book to find definitions of all of the pirate words. Although the illustrations and the idea is a lot of fun for pirate lovers, it’s unclear why Red doesn’t seem to want to play with her for most of the book but wants to play with her again the next day. Still, this fun book will entertain those who love pirates and the power of imagination.
This book shows the two children in full color and their pirate crews in sketches around them to show that they are part of the game Molly and Red play. It shows a great relationship with children and how their imagination can go to work during recess and during the day when they are studying. The book uses a lot of pirate vocabulary, but lubbers (non-sailors) can use the vocabulary homework sheet at the back of the book to find definitions of all of the pirate words. Although the illustrations and the idea is a lot of fun for pirate lovers, it’s unclear why Red doesn’t seem to want to play with her for most of the book but wants to play with her again the next day. Still, this fun book will entertain those who love pirates and the power of imagination.
September 8, 2020
It's an all out pirate battle on the playground! At the sound of the bell, the red-haired Red dashes out of class with his imaginary gang of pirates in tow. Following behind is black-haired Molly, with her own ship full. Despite his desire to play by himself, Red's scenario is invaded. When he tries to order his pirates to fight off the invaders, they mutiny. Molly herself enjoyed playing with Red, and after he calms down, they make a promise to each other. The almost realistic drawings of the children stand out in sharp contrast to the beautiful pencil drawings of the pirates and ships that they interact with. As is appropriate, pirate words in a curly font are spread about. Extra words are also included on the end pages, with their meanings appended to further draw kids into their own pirate adventures.
November 18, 2013
Do you know someone who enjoys talking like a pirate more than just on Talk Like a Pirate Day? Pirates beware, there will be plenty more "aye, aye, cap'n"s to be heard!
It's recess time at school and Cap'n Red and his band of pirates rule the recess playground! Join the pirates and embark on a recess-time adventure!
The author, James Preller, and illustrator, Greg Ruth, have done a great job teaming up to deliver the "Pirate's Guide" series. Preller gives great voice to the pirates and Ruth does a great job blending the "real" with color and them "imagination" with pencil sketches.
Great series for the reluctant boy, and will also draw in all types of readers to enjoy the story and illustrations.
It's recess time at school and Cap'n Red and his band of pirates rule the recess playground! Join the pirates and embark on a recess-time adventure!
The author, James Preller, and illustrator, Greg Ruth, have done a great job teaming up to deliver the "Pirate's Guide" series. Preller gives great voice to the pirates and Ruth does a great job blending the "real" with color and them "imagination" with pencil sketches.
Great series for the reluctant boy, and will also draw in all types of readers to enjoy the story and illustrations.
September 26, 2013
“Ahoy!” A Pirate’s Guide to Recess is a “blimey” fantastic read-aloud for elementary age “hearties” that makes reading “shiver-me-timbers” F-U-N! Recess is just recess unless ye use ye’re “swashbuckling imagination” – then it’s becomes a time of endless possibilities … that is until some “scallywag” rings the school bell, forcing the crew to “step to” and “walk the plank” back to their educational servitudes. The illustrations by Greg Ruth are “shipshape” and add greatly to the overall feel and adventure of the imaginative school yard play. I also loved the pirate vocabulary in the afterward (obviously).
November 22, 2014
When the recess bell rings, pirates take over the school yard. Soon the stormy seas are filled with the clashing of swords as Captain Red encounters fierce Molly and her crew. Clashing swords, walking planks, and mutinying crews fill recess with adventure. I love the action filled text and the imaginative drawings that emphasize creative play. A glossary of pirate terms on the end papers lead readers to their own pirate adventures.
October 4, 2013
YAY finally a picture book about pirates that should entertain our storytime crowd at the library. Short sentences with lots of pirate lingo + nice big illustrations. Cannot wait to test this one out on the kiddos!
November 18, 2013
Love the concept and the illustrations, but the story falls a bit flat for me. The kiddos were only mildly entertained and the pirate jargon became overwhelming. We also didn't understand why all of the pirates had to be men, when clearly several of them were being played by little girls.
June 21, 2013
omg!! Imaginative pirate play awesomely illustrated.
June 24, 2013
Love how the illustrations show the imagination, fun pirate language use.
September 12, 2013
Great for story time! Excellent illustrations
December 27, 2013
A young boy sets off to recess to play pirates and finds himself out-pirated by a girl with the same ambition. Great illustrations. Glossary of pirate terminology included. Fun.
January 17, 2014
Prefect pirate read aloud!
February 8, 2014
Pirates. Excellent illustrations and the need to read it aloud with the most intense pirate accent is a must.
Creativity and play is what we need more of these days
Creativity and play is what we need more of these days
July 5, 2016
#Playing #Pirates at #recess is lot of #fun, especially if you #win!
June 28, 2013
This picture book, filled with the clean words pirates might spout and delightful illustrations rendered in pencil, Sumi ink, watercolor oilstick, and pastels, follows the battle between two opposing pirate captains, Red and Molly. Of course, the two of them are children playing at being pirates and imagining that both of them have a full pirate crew to back them up in their epic battle for supremacy of the high seas (or playground). Once they return to their classrooms, it's back to the books they go, presumably to get lost in more pirate-themed literature while the ghosts of pirates from the past keep watchful eyes on the two of them. This book celebrates play and imagination, and reminds me in some respects of the many stories I played out with others. Readers with a taste for the imagination or pirates will enjoy this title and dream of the adventures yet to come.
September 13, 2014
Preller, J., & Ruth, G. (2013). A Pirate's Guide to Recess. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends.
No review source necessary.
Picture Book Soak. (One I didn't care for.)
The illustrations were creative, using the students in color and the pirates they were mimicking in black and white, but the story was lacking. There was no point or purpose, the language was somewhat rude and inappropriate, the students were fighting each other and tying each other up, and I didn’t feel like any of these things represented what I would want to share with my students.
No review source necessary.
Picture Book Soak. (One I didn't care for.)
The illustrations were creative, using the students in color and the pirates they were mimicking in black and white, but the story was lacking. There was no point or purpose, the language was somewhat rude and inappropriate, the students were fighting each other and tying each other up, and I didn’t feel like any of these things represented what I would want to share with my students.
July 6, 2013
Would have been great for before field trips to How I Became a Pirate. Would still make a nice pairing. I love the index of pirate terms. The illustrations seem somewhat retro, but it's so nice to think of kids playing wonderful imaginary pirates.
July 27, 2013
Follow up to A Pirate's Guide to First Grade, this is a cute book about two kids playing at recess. Pirate vocab is used with the imaginary pirates drawn in outline in the background. Will be good for kids who are into the pirate thing.
May 16, 2015
This SOUNDED like it would be a super-fun book for my erstwhile six-year-old pirate son to read. And the illustrations were creatively drawn. But, alas, this book did not live up to its promise and even threw in some language and attitude that does not need to be encouraged in my son.
September 15, 2015
Library book. Illustrations are amazing, and I had high hopes for this book, but I was utterly disappointed by the text. Loved the use of Pirate-y language... but this book could have been so much more fun than it actually was.
June 14, 2013
Summer #bookaday 8
June 23, 2013
Lots of pirate lingo and cool illustrations.
July 23, 2013
Lots of action and adventure for two kids with big imaginations. colorful and slightly oversized, pirate fans might enjoy this more than I did.
July 25, 2013
I want to know how long was their recess?!
July 26, 2013
The artwork was sublime but the story seemed slightly off to me, perhaps not enough detail in the story?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews