Backbeard: Pirate for Hire

by Matthew McElligott

Backbeard may have a new suit, but he is still one of the orneriest, smelliest, and hairiest pirates ever to sail the high seas. And his crew still likes to smash and steal things―they just prefer to do it in style. Unfortunately, certain members of the Pirate Council don't think he looks piratey enough in his new garb, and since they are just as stubborn as Backbeard, it's their way or the waterway. Unwilling to give up his birthday suit, Backbeard sets out in search of new employment. He can pillage and plunder with the best of them, but who'll dare to hire a dirty, smelly ex-pirate?

Genres: Picture Books, Pirates, Humor, Childrens, Fantasy, Storytime, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 2007

About the author

Matthew McElligott is the author and illustrator of many books for children. When Matt is not writing, he teaches as a Professor of Graphic and Media Design at Russell Sage College in Albany. He lives on a small farm in upstate New York with his wife and their animals.

Reviews

[Penni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ewwwy gooie stinky has a place for some but not really my cup of tea.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Backbeard, the hairiest pirate who ever lived, gets in trouble with the pirate council. They say he's not piratey enough. Unwilling to change his ways to suit them, he goes off in search of other employment.
This one's silly and might be fun for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, but it's a bit longish for the younger crowds. Pirate storytime is always chaotic anyway, so they might still go for it if I ham it up enough. At any rate, it's funny, great pictures, and a nice "just be yourself" message.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backbeard gets fired as a pirate because his clothes are too colorful, he doesn't wear a pirate hat, and he has a pig instead of a parrot. Backbeard sets out to find a new job, but has trouble finding someone to hire him.

A silly pirate book. Colorful artwork. A message of letting people be themselves.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book, okay overall, but I was looking for a bit more substance. Still worth a read for the kids.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Pirate Council tells Backbeard that he isn't dressing "piratey" enough, he goes ashore looking for a job. He's finally hired by a kindly old lady to work in her tearoom, which isn't really a good fit for the scalawag.



It's up to his crew to convince him to return to piracy.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let the creativity flag fly. I’m glad when every so often a book comes out that makes me think “well, this is unusual”. What do they call it when film companies show a movie to an audience and then make changes based on their reactions? Test audience? Focus Group? Well I like it when books don’t feel like they’ve been test-audienced to death. This is not to say that this type of book is always an outstanding pick; just like any book, it has to stand on its own. “Backbeard - Pirate for Hire”, certainly struck me as one of these pleasantly odd titles that kids appreciate.

Backbeard and his crew are pirates all right - they smell awful, steal, and like to break stuff. There’s just one thing that sets them apart from other pirates: their clothes. See, Backbeard and his crew like to keep it classy with the wardrobe. They prefer colorful ensembles (did you see the cover photo?) not seen on any other ship flying the skull and bones. It is this departure from the norm that sets our story in motion.

The Pirate Council, citing a rule which dictates “a pirate must look fearsome”, strip Backbeard of his pirate status. This forces the captain to leave his crew in search of another line of work. But, to put it in Apprentice-ese , his skill set doesn’t really make him a sought-after candidate for employment. Backbeard tries out a number of jobs, succeeding at none. It isn’t until he finds work in a tearoom and runs into some familiar faces that Backbeard begins to feel like his old self again.

Mr. McElligot’s accompanying artwork is outstanding. A combination of drawing, photography, and digital elements blend seamlessly. A quirky title that young readers will enjoy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a book that will tickle your funny bone! This is a story of a particular pirate named Backbeard who is a snazzy dresser, does not wear a pirates hat, and has a pig instead of a parrot. This gets him kicked out of the Pirate Guild and he has to look for other work. After many disastrous job interviews he find himself working in a tea shop for an elderly lady. This work out about as well as you would expect. Backbeard drops cups, spills tea, and makes a big mess but the owner is patient and kind. However on her day off Backbeard's old crew comes in and practically burn the tea shop down. Backbeard knows he is meant to be a pirate and actually finds a way... I won't spoil the ending because it is pretty funny how he convinces the Pirate Guild to let him back in.
I highly recommend this on to all the children who love pirates! It is fun to see the rules for pirates change when Backbeard "convinces" the Pirate Guild to let him back in. If you are looking for a funny book to amuse your pirate fans this is the one to buy.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best for kids ages 4 and up
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Narrative Skills

From cover:
Backbeard may have a new seuit, but he is still the orneriest, smelliest, and hairiest pirate ever to sail the high seas. And his crew members still like to smask and steal things - they just prefer to do it in style. Unfortunately, certain members of the Pirate Council don't think he looks piratey enough in his new gard, and since they are just as stubborn as Backbeard, it's their way or the waterway.
Unwilling to give up his birthday suit, Backbeardsets out in search of new employment. He can pillage and plunder with the best of them, but who'll dare to hire a dirty, smelly ex-pirate?

Whimsical, colorful illustration make the story even funnier.

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backbeard (not Blackbeard) is a pirate. He and his crew wear bright colors, and he has a pig on his shoulder instead of a parrot. Unfortunately, NONE of these things are okay with the Pirate Council. (Did you know there was a Pirate Council?) So it's off to look for a regular job, which is hard when you're the hairiest, smelliest, dirtiest pirate who ever lived. Oh hey, the tea shop is hiring, that should work out, right?

I'm not a big fan of dirty, hairy, smelly pirate stories, but this one was funny enough to win me over. Plus, one member of Backbeard's crew is a woman, and one is a person of color, which for children's books about pirates is like an explosion of diversity. (Which is very sad. What's with that?)

[Tamsyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second adventure of Backbeard and his (well-dressed) crew has Backbeard brought before the pirate council for his breaking "pirate rules" such as "pirates must look fearsome" and "pirates must wear a pirate hat". Since he refuses to give up his finery, he must look for a new line of work. After being overqualified for some jobs (too strong for the blacksmith, for example), he finds himself helping to run a tea shop. Vivid pictures (a combination of drawn art and textures manipulated on the computer) and lots of humour throughout.

[Kimberli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backbeard: Pirate For Hire, by Matthew McElligot, is the tale of a strangely dressed pirate who wants to look good when he fights. Unfortunately, the Pirate Council does not like his extravagant taste in clothes and he gets the boot from piracy. Backbeard looks for a job, but who would be willing to hire an ex-pirate dressed in wild colored clothes? Read this book to find out how Backbeard utilizes his piratey talents. McElligot’s illustrations are incredible and make sure you check out the "Pirate Rules" in the back of the book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a pirate named Backbeard who is unlike any other pirate. He likes to do things his way, and does not dress or act like most pirates. At the end, the other pirates realize they must let him be himself. This book has a small message, of let people be themselves and do not force friends to change. However, overall it is a silly book that would just be read for a fun read aloud with a little character education.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly delightful! Very funny pirate tale in which the pirate, Backbeard, is forced off his ship and is in search of work. The images, a unique blend of various artistic methods, lend a great deal to the complete story. Great end paper illustrations with lists about how to be a pirate. This will be a great read-aloud.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a cute resume for Blackbeard on the back of the book. I wish mine could be so cool. The Pirate council wants Blackbeard to follow the rules regarding how a pirate should look. Since he won't, he goes around looking for a job only to find nothing. Those that judge and hand down rules, do not always follow them. Just be yourself.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this pirate story as did my 7 year old son. This story about a pirate and his crew who aren't like other pirates out there was fun with great illustrations. I liked that the story relays a message that you should be proud and ok with who you are, even if it is different from everyone else.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Pirate Council discovers that Backbeard's new suit of clothes are too colorful, they kick him out, and he is forced to look for a new job. His new job is quite interesting, and his new employer is patient with him. An interesting twist at the end of the story finds Backbeard back in the pirate business.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a humorous book about a pirate who is told he cant be a pirate anymore because he doesn't dress like one. He ventures off and finds a job, but discovers it's not meant for him. This book could be used to teach sequence of events or prediction.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny story with a pirate clothing twist.

[Cymiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

clever sense of humor!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute story about being yourself and doing what you want to do even if others' don't. (Picture)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

28 months -

[JS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly and random. Makes me want to read the first Backbeard book too.

[Burbank Library Children's Department · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backbeard doesn't dress "piratey" enough, so the Pirate Council throws him out. But finding new employment is harder than he expects!

A.R. 2.7

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. This pirate doesn't follow all the "rules."

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a charming, smelly, and hairy pirate!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable.
Too long for storytime.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept wanting to really like this book, but it just didn't go anywhere.

[dave]

Funny book - loved the hairest pirate and his crazily dressed crew - fun ending!

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and piratey. How important is it to be yourself?