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The Word Pirates
A ravenous band of pirates who eat words for breakfast gobble up the world's greatest stories. But never fear--the Word Wizard and the children she reads to are on the case!
Pirate Captain Rottingbones and his crew need breakfast. But these pirates can't have just any ordinary breakfast...no, they need nice, fresh WORDS. And where better to get them than stealing them straight off the pages of all kinds of books?
But when Captain Rottingbones and his cronies go after the Word Wizard and her extra delicious words that they steal from her extra juicy stories, they've finally gone too far...because not only does the Word Wizard believe words are precious things that belong in stories, but she also has a weapon stronger than any sword--a mighty pen.
Susan Cooper, author of the acclaimed Dark Is Rising fantasy series, teams up with renowned illustrator Steven Kellogg to create a swashbuckling adventure that celebrates the power of reading.
Pirate Captain Rottingbones and his crew need breakfast. But these pirates can't have just any ordinary breakfast...no, they need nice, fresh WORDS. And where better to get them than stealing them straight off the pages of all kinds of books?
But when Captain Rottingbones and his cronies go after the Word Wizard and her extra delicious words that they steal from her extra juicy stories, they've finally gone too far...because not only does the Word Wizard believe words are precious things that belong in stories, but she also has a weapon stronger than any sword--a mighty pen.
Susan Cooper, author of the acclaimed Dark Is Rising fantasy series, teams up with renowned illustrator Steven Kellogg to create a swashbuckling adventure that celebrates the power of reading.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2019
About the author
Susan Cooper
137 books2,473 followersSusan Cooper's latest book is the YA novel "Ghost Hawk" (2013)
Susan Cooper was born in 1935, and grew up in England's Buckinghamshire, an area that was green countryside then but has since become part of Greater London. As a child, she loved to read, as did her younger brother, who also became a writer. After attending Oxford, where she became the first woman to ever edit that university's newspaper, Cooper worked as a reporter and feature writer for London's Sunday Times; her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming.
Cooper wrote her first book for young readers in response to a publishing house competition; "Over Sea, Under Stone" would later form the basis for her critically acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence, "The Dark Is Rising." The fourth book in the series, "The Grey King," won the Newbery Medal in 1976. By that time, Susan Cooper had been living in America for 13 years, having moved to marry her first husband, an American professor, and was stepmother to three children and the mother of two.
Cooper went on to write other well-received novels, including "The Boggart" (and its sequel "The Boggart and the Monster"), "King of Shadows", and "Victory," as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays, many in collaboration with the actor Hume Cronyn, whom she married in 1996. Hume Cronyn died in 2003 and Ms. Cooper now lives in Marshfield MA. When Cooper is not working, she enjoys playing piano, gardening, and traveling.
Recent books include the collaborative project "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" and her biography of Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Her newest book is "Ghost Hawk."
Visit her Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/SusanCooperFanPage
www.facebook.com/GhostHawkBySusanCooper
Susan Cooper was born in 1935, and grew up in England's Buckinghamshire, an area that was green countryside then but has since become part of Greater London. As a child, she loved to read, as did her younger brother, who also became a writer. After attending Oxford, where she became the first woman to ever edit that university's newspaper, Cooper worked as a reporter and feature writer for London's Sunday Times; her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming.
Cooper wrote her first book for young readers in response to a publishing house competition; "Over Sea, Under Stone" would later form the basis for her critically acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence, "The Dark Is Rising." The fourth book in the series, "The Grey King," won the Newbery Medal in 1976. By that time, Susan Cooper had been living in America for 13 years, having moved to marry her first husband, an American professor, and was stepmother to three children and the mother of two.
Cooper went on to write other well-received novels, including "The Boggart" (and its sequel "The Boggart and the Monster"), "King of Shadows", and "Victory," as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays, many in collaboration with the actor Hume Cronyn, whom she married in 1996. Hume Cronyn died in 2003 and Ms. Cooper now lives in Marshfield MA. When Cooper is not working, she enjoys playing piano, gardening, and traveling.
Recent books include the collaborative project "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" and her biography of Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Her newest book is "Ghost Hawk."
Visit her Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/SusanCooperFanPage
www.facebook.com/GhostHawkBySusanCooper
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 12, 2023
If you're a lover of words, this picture book is for you.
Of course, there are many other reasons to enjoy this cracking good story. "The Word Pirates"do naughty things, stealing words. For instance:
Suddenly there were gaps in her story. It should have begun:
"Robert looked over his shoulder and there was a hippopotamus following him."
But now it said: "Robert... was a hippopotamus."
Her story was in tatters!
AND HERE'S MY VERY FAVORITE SENTENCE FROM THIS BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN STORYBOOK
"What amazing things words could do if you didn't eat them!"
FIVE STARS. Plus love and respect to Susan Cooper and her illustrator here, Steven Kellogg.
Of course, there are many other reasons to enjoy this cracking good story. "The Word Pirates"do naughty things, stealing words. For instance:
Suddenly there were gaps in her story. It should have begun:
"Robert looked over his shoulder and there was a hippopotamus following him."
But now it said: "Robert... was a hippopotamus."
Her story was in tatters!
AND HERE'S MY VERY FAVORITE SENTENCE FROM THIS BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN STORYBOOK
"What amazing things words could do if you didn't eat them!"
FIVE STARS. Plus love and respect to Susan Cooper and her illustrator here, Steven Kellogg.
November 30, 2019
Children's literature giants Susan Cooper and Steven Kellogg join forces for the first time in this new picture-book, which they created as a tribute to celebrated New Zealand children's author Margaret Mahy. The story follows pirate Captain Rottingbones and his crew as they pilfer words from stories all over the world, feasting on their misbegotten vocabulary. But when the captain hears of a word wizard living on an island far to the south, and he and his crew attempt to steal her words, they find they've met their match...
The Word Pirates is a fairly entertaining picture-book, with an engaging story and humorous artwork. I don't know that it quite lived up to my expectations, with regard to Susan Cooper's own storytelling - somehow the tale felt a little too pat in its resolution, a little too pointed with its "the pen is mightier than the sword" message. Perhaps my perspective is off here, given that I just read Cooper's poem, The Shortest Day , which was a small masterpiece, without a word out of place. However that may be, I was nevertheless simply tickled to see that this was a tribute to Margaret Mahy, whose work I love. I particularly enjoyed the references to Mahy's picture-book, The Boy Who Was Followed Home , which was also illustrated by Kellogg. Recommended to fans of Cooper, Kellogg and Mahy.
The Word Pirates is a fairly entertaining picture-book, with an engaging story and humorous artwork. I don't know that it quite lived up to my expectations, with regard to Susan Cooper's own storytelling - somehow the tale felt a little too pat in its resolution, a little too pointed with its "the pen is mightier than the sword" message. Perhaps my perspective is off here, given that I just read Cooper's poem, The Shortest Day , which was a small masterpiece, without a word out of place. However that may be, I was nevertheless simply tickled to see that this was a tribute to Margaret Mahy, whose work I love. I particularly enjoyed the references to Mahy's picture-book, The Boy Who Was Followed Home , which was also illustrated by Kellogg. Recommended to fans of Cooper, Kellogg and Mahy.
June 8, 2020
These creepy-looking pirates may scare us with their need to stealing words and eating them. But once they are forced into a duel with a word wizard (author), they learn they simply cannot match the power of words. She throws lines at them from books like Jack and the Beanstalk, The Three Little Pigs, and Where the Wild Things Are. When they head off to their own little island, they discover that even ruffians can learn to read and WRITE! 🙂 The artwork in this book was created with a variety of materials including colored inks, watercolors, colored pencils, and acrylic paints.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
December 5, 2020
What is mightier...fearsome pirates or an author with a pen? Sword or story?
April 13, 2023
This was completely delightful! So delightful in fact that I am ordering one for my library to read to my grandson when he visits. The illustrations are bright, fun, and silly and the story is one all about the power of words and stories. There is nothing finer than that!
November 25, 2019
This is a cute story about pirates that eat words stolen from books, and the brave New Zealand author who stopped them. Judging by the author dedication, the NZ author is probably Margaret Mahy. Kellogg's illustrations are in his signature style, large enough to use in a group setting. Lots of craziness and zaniness in this story and in the illustrations.
July 20, 2025
While I love the premise, the reading level seems too challenging for a juvenile picture book. I wish this book had been written with a little more consideration towards younger audiences, perhaps by including more acoustically-interesting words that would appeal to children and inspire further learning.
December 27, 2019
Word Pirates, The - Susan Cooper I respect the idea of dedicating a book to Margaret Mahy, but this was just okay for me.Library copy
May 1, 2021
We loved both the story and the illustrations. I had no idea Susan Cooper had written picture books!
November 16, 2019
A tribute to New Zealand storyteller Margaret Mahy, this picture book features pirates. One in particular, Captain Rottingbones, loves words and gobbles them up for breakfast every day. His minions follow his instructions and steal words from everywhere they can find them. When he learns of a Word Wizard in a faraway land, he heads off to gather more words and gobble them up. But she points out the error of his ways, stressing that words aren't meant for eating but for reading and writing. The pirate captain engage in a duel with his sword against her pen. Of course, her words are much more powerful than his sword, and she triumphs. The now chastened pirates are packed off to a remote island where they learn to read and write and tell their own stories. Created with colored inks, watercolors, colored pencils, and acrylics, the illustrations pulse with life and feature all sorts of delightful vocabulary words that are fun to say. Fans of Margaret Mahy will be delighted by this depiction of her and how words can change our lives, and I give the book points for creativity, but it didn't exactly make my heart sing, maybe because of the notion of eating words left me disinterested. I've heard of readers devouring books, but I don't think they meant that literally.
June 21, 2020
The Word Pirates by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Steven Kellogg. PICTURE BOOK. Neal Porter Books, 2019. $19. 9780823443598.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Captain Rottingbones leads a crew of Pirates who feast on words--words pilfered from books and writers the world over. One day they decide to attack a Word Wizard in New Zealand, but they are taken by surprise when she and the children who love her stories fight back. The pirates are shocked to discover the power of words can be more than just a tasty meal. Thanks to the Word Wizard the words of the world are safe from the pirates--and the pirates now can create words and stories of their own.
The best part of this book, it should come as no surprise, are the illustrations from Steven Kellogg. That and the pirate theme will give it a high appeal among readers. It helps to understand that Cooper and Kellogg collaborated on this book in honor of a friend of theirs--a NZ based storyteller--because the story itself feels a little odd at times. Still, it will certainly be popular with lovers of books, and could likely be used in a generic lesson in a reading or English class. Its certainly not a bad book, but I was hoping to love it more when I saw the Kellogg illustrations.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Captain Rottingbones leads a crew of Pirates who feast on words--words pilfered from books and writers the world over. One day they decide to attack a Word Wizard in New Zealand, but they are taken by surprise when she and the children who love her stories fight back. The pirates are shocked to discover the power of words can be more than just a tasty meal. Thanks to the Word Wizard the words of the world are safe from the pirates--and the pirates now can create words and stories of their own.
The best part of this book, it should come as no surprise, are the illustrations from Steven Kellogg. That and the pirate theme will give it a high appeal among readers. It helps to understand that Cooper and Kellogg collaborated on this book in honor of a friend of theirs--a NZ based storyteller--because the story itself feels a little odd at times. Still, it will certainly be popular with lovers of books, and could likely be used in a generic lesson in a reading or English class. Its certainly not a bad book, but I was hoping to love it more when I saw the Kellogg illustrations.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
June 30, 2020
This book is an all-to-obvious ode to books. The storyline is about pirates that eat words and send birds out to find words to eat and eventually come across a Wizard who creates words and the wizard defeats the captain pirate with a pen that is mightier than his sword. Mundane.
April 20, 2020
Note: I received an F&G of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.
September 7, 2024
I had no idea that Susan Cooper wrote children's books. Well, I guess The Rising Dark could be considered children's literature, I didn't know she wrote picture books.
This book is so up my alley. It has a bunch of pirates roaming the world peeling words off the page and eating them. Oh my word. Can you imagine the horror of having words disappear off of your page as you are reading? One or two unimportant ones like 'the' could be figured out from the context, but what if birds came and took ALL of the words off of a particularly climactic page?! How awful. How vile. How cruel! Leaving me without knowing what would happen! I could empathize with the characters in the story no problem, and it drew me in instantly.
I would have loved this book as a child. What kind of children's picture book has the word disestablishmentarianism in it?! A book targeted at me as a child, that's what.
I also liked the overall message, that stories are what inspire us to change ourselves. That a narrative can touch something deep inside us and make us evaluate our lives and turn away from destructive behaviors. It's true. The last page where one of the pirates picks up a pen and starts to write for themselves was just such perfect wrap up I almost cried. Yep. A picture book about words being eaten by imaginary pirates made me cry. I'm pathetic.
On the other hand. I didn't like the word wizard character. She just seemed schoolmarmish to me. The idea of a bunch of wicked cruel larcenous pirates transforming into farmers in one page was also a bit of a non sequitur. Especially because it was just decided from on high by the word wizard, it wasn't really an inspiration from the pirates themselves, which I thought undermined the underlying message. Why farmers of all things? She just sailed them to an island, gave them seeds and vanished off into the horizon. She didn't really teach them what to do or help them in any way or give them guidance. I didn't like her. I know, it's a picture book, it's space is limited, but I still didn't like her or her actions. Honestly she seemed like a know-it-all who is always right in everything she does. For all the originality of the story, she seemed a bit caricatureish (this impression was not helped by the art). Would I have recognized this as a 5 year old? No, no I would not, I would have been enthralled with the picture of magic coming out of a pen knocking out pirates so I still think this was a very good book for precocious young bookworms.
Story: Original
Art: Definitely not my style. Caricature
Price: $18.99
This book is so up my alley. It has a bunch of pirates roaming the world peeling words off the page and eating them. Oh my word. Can you imagine the horror of having words disappear off of your page as you are reading? One or two unimportant ones like 'the' could be figured out from the context, but what if birds came and took ALL of the words off of a particularly climactic page?! How awful. How vile. How cruel! Leaving me without knowing what would happen! I could empathize with the characters in the story no problem, and it drew me in instantly.
I would have loved this book as a child. What kind of children's picture book has the word disestablishmentarianism in it?! A book targeted at me as a child, that's what.
I also liked the overall message, that stories are what inspire us to change ourselves. That a narrative can touch something deep inside us and make us evaluate our lives and turn away from destructive behaviors. It's true. The last page where one of the pirates picks up a pen and starts to write for themselves was just such perfect wrap up I almost cried. Yep. A picture book about words being eaten by imaginary pirates made me cry. I'm pathetic.
On the other hand. I didn't like the word wizard character. She just seemed schoolmarmish to me. The idea of a bunch of wicked cruel larcenous pirates transforming into farmers in one page was also a bit of a non sequitur. Especially because it was just decided from on high by the word wizard, it wasn't really an inspiration from the pirates themselves, which I thought undermined the underlying message. Why farmers of all things? She just sailed them to an island, gave them seeds and vanished off into the horizon. She didn't really teach them what to do or help them in any way or give them guidance. I didn't like her. I know, it's a picture book, it's space is limited, but I still didn't like her or her actions. Honestly she seemed like a know-it-all who is always right in everything she does. For all the originality of the story, she seemed a bit caricatureish (this impression was not helped by the art). Would I have recognized this as a 5 year old? No, no I would not, I would have been enthralled with the picture of magic coming out of a pen knocking out pirates so I still think this was a very good book for precocious young bookworms.
Story: Original
Art: Definitely not my style. Caricature
Price: $18.99
October 24, 2021
This fun, engaging, and silly example of low fantasy is the perfect book to introduce fantasy to young readers. With engaging and colorful illustrations, readers will follow the story of the Word Pirates and learn how they steal words right off the pages of books. For any child that is learning to read and the magic of books, this story will enthrall them as the pirates slowly realize the magic of reading.
This story is an example of low fantasy. It takes place in the real world, but with irrational twists and turns that couldn’t possibly happen in real life. Young children will love the idea of eating words for breakfast!
Teachers can use this text to teach elements of a story such as setting, plot, and characters. They can also use it to introduce fantasy as a genre by pointing out elements of the story such as outlandish characters like the Word Wizard and magical powers.
This story is an example of low fantasy. It takes place in the real world, but with irrational twists and turns that couldn’t possibly happen in real life. Young children will love the idea of eating words for breakfast!
Teachers can use this text to teach elements of a story such as setting, plot, and characters. They can also use it to introduce fantasy as a genre by pointing out elements of the story such as outlandish characters like the Word Wizard and magical powers.
November 27, 2024
This is a creative story about dastardly pirates who steal and gobble words. They are eventually defeated by the power of story, wielded by a word wizard, a writer. I read it to group of third graders as part of a storytime focused on the elements of a story. It was fine, but would have been more fun to read, I think if there were more dialogue, and particularly if the pirates talked in a more "piratey" way. Perhaps there is more telling than showing here. Still, it's cute enough. I do enjoy Steven Kellogg's illustrations. They aren't perfect for storytime because they are hard to see from a distance, but they are a lot of fun up close.
September 27, 2019
A true celebration of words disguised as a pirating adventure. This book is full of adventure and excitement, but it is also full of words and writers and books. The Word Pirates are pirates that eat words. They steal them from the pages of writers and books. When they meet the storytelling wizard in New Zealand however the old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword is put to the test. A genius pairing that twists our understanding of words and plays with language in the most entertaining of ways. This is a great book to read aloud and full of words to study afterwards. Inspiring, funny, and meaningful all in one colorful package.
January 13, 2020
4 stars
A picture book full of fun! I love books that instill a love of reading and writing. This book gives us some silly pirates who eat words, and a brave writer and children who show the pirates what words are really for. The writer and the children point the pirates in a new direction and it winds up being the best for everyone.
The illustrations are very animated and the pictures move the story along well. They are beautiful done full of color and vibrancy.
A story that encourages children to use their imaginations, believe in their words and to put the pen to paper is one to enjoy!
- Ms. Elena
A picture book full of fun! I love books that instill a love of reading and writing. This book gives us some silly pirates who eat words, and a brave writer and children who show the pirates what words are really for. The writer and the children point the pirates in a new direction and it winds up being the best for everyone.
The illustrations are very animated and the pictures move the story along well. They are beautiful done full of color and vibrancy.
A story that encourages children to use their imaginations, believe in their words and to put the pen to paper is one to enjoy!
- Ms. Elena
January 30, 2022
Steven Kellogg's illustrations first drew me to this book. It reminded me of the great details he uses when retelling fairy tales. Then I saw that the birds on the cover carried words in their mouths and my interest was really peaked. The pirates in this story love to eat words but they are won over by a "wizard/author" who shows them that there are many more amazing things to do with words instead of eating them and the joy of reading and writing is made very clear. The great vocabulary in this book makes it fun and will encourage curious kids to find and use a larger variety of words than those in their daily well worn vocabularies.
October 21, 2019
Whew! The Word Pirates is quite a book, with Bumblebirds who steal words "fresh off the page" to feed the pirates.
Of course with words being stolen, stories don't make much sense.
The Word Pirates is a gem of words and bright busy pictures!
5 Stars for a fun book that celebrates words that make our beloved books.
Captain Rottingbones ate long chewy words, like antidisestablishmentarianism. His crew liked short crunchy words like hop, fib, pop and zip. With milk.
Of course with words being stolen, stories don't make much sense.
The Word Pirates is a gem of words and bright busy pictures!
5 Stars for a fun book that celebrates words that make our beloved books.
September 25, 2019
The crew of a pirate ship is notorious for looting not gold and jewels, but words. They chomp the words down, destroying people's stories and books. Alas, they meet their match in a New Zealand Word wizard who challenges them to battle and proves that the pen is, indeed, mightier than the sword. This is an imaginative tale by an award-winning author. Add in Steven Kellogg's detailed and humorous illustrations and you have a great combo!
October 17, 2019
There seem to be a lot books lately about missing words or letters and how we solve that problem. Sometimes I think it is the author trying to fight through writers block but I don't know given this author is prolific as is the illustrator. I am going to share it with my second grade classrooms and see what their reaction is....stay tuned.
Hooks: pirates, words, travel. vegetable, story, imagination
Hooks: pirates, words, travel. vegetable, story, imagination
February 3, 2024
I can't stand pirate stories, but when a story features Margaret Mahy defeating a (diverse) shipload of them, I'm willing to check it out. And this is indeed a charming homage to the brilliant NZ author. But will kids appreciate it? Maybe if the family reads some of Mahy's picture-books the same week? Last page best of all by far, imo.
February 12, 2026
What a lovely book! Cooper and Kellogg explicitly make it clear that this book is a tribute to famed New Zealand author Margaret Mahy. In it we have pirates doing what pirates do: stealing! But these pirates steal words off pages and spoil stories! Famed word wizard Margaret Mahy sails into the fight! Will words or the pirates win? Read and find out! Mahy never seemed to connect in this country but we used to have some of her titles on the library. Do yourself a favor and look her up!
November 23, 2020
Kellogg's illustration style is so signature. The concept of this book was certainly unique, and I liked the message about the power of story. It did feel like this might be a metaphor stretched too far because I couldn't really wrap my head around some elements of it.
February 3, 2021
I'm not a huge fan of Kellogg's illustration style so I didn't love the book. The story was cute but fell a little flat during the climax of the story as the head pirate with his sword battled the writing wizard with her pen?! Cute elements but I didn't love it.
June 23, 2023
The art work is excellent from Kellogg as always. I felt like the story puzzled my son and made him think. My son said “a little weird, a little fun, and a little exciting.” Anywho it’s worth renting and reading. Not a 5/5 but still good.
October 2, 2019
Pirates insatiably ravenous for words.
October 7, 2019
A good book of adventure through words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews