Sammy the Seasick Pirate

by Janelle Springer-Willms, Damien Jones (Illustrator)

Sammy can't wait to become a pirate just like his papa. He knows how to swim in the ocean, dig for treasure, and even shoot a bow and arrow. There is just one problem . . . when Sammy is on a boat, he gets seasick! But he is determined to not let his stomach get in the way of his dreams. Inspired by the real legend of Barbados pirate Sam Hall Lord, this humorous picture book shows how one boy's cleverness leads him to become one of the most famous pirates in history.

Genres: Pirates, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2021

Reviews

[Emily Dolanová · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to a couple kids. The illustrations are great and the premise of the story is fun. However, some of the book didn't make sense or flow well. What was the point of the lanterns in the coconut grove? That seemed to be added just for aesthetic. Why would a curious kid hear a loud crash and just go back to bed? That seemed to be added just to explain the shipwreck on the next page. Sammy then finds treasure and it inspires his solution to the problem, which is to be a land pirate. But finding treasure never seems to be his goal, or the main part of being a pirate, until this point. It seems that the main motivation of Sammy the whole time is being with his dad and part of the crew, and yet at the end he doesn't get that. The end feels abrupt and disconnected from the rest of the story.

[Sharon Giltrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories where the main character is 'suppose' to act in one way but due to circumstances they can't. In this new story a future pirate is unable to 'fill' his father's shoes because when he tries to he discovers he gets... He can do everything a pirate is meant to but... However he discovers that there is another way to be a pirate. This story is a great story about perseverance and thinking outside the square. It is also based on pirate legend which is great! Springer-Willms fantastic text paired with Jones' fun-loving illustrations combine to make a delightful book that any young pirate (child) will sure to love.

[Stefanie Foster Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the irony of a pirate who gets seasick! Young Sammy proves there’s no obstacle too big that a little bit of passion and creativity can’t clear. This gem of a book packs as much humor as it does heart. Sammy is a gem of a character who both endears and entertains. The book’s themes of failure and resilience make this a great one for the classroom and home. Its a fun read full of pirate lingo and adventure. The fact that this story is based on a little bit of truth makes it doubly good. Sammy, the Seasick Pirate has all the makings of a beloved favorite!

[Sherri Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sammy, the Seasick Pirate, is an adorable and engaging book about a little boy who wants to be a pirate like his father. But he becomes seasick every time they set sail. Kids will love this adventurous and believable character. The story is beautifully crafted with just enough humor and yuk for a young audience. The detailed illustrations bring more spirit and add to the story by showing the challenges Sammy must overcome. Readers will love the unexpected ending, and teachers will appreciate Sammy’s problem-solving abilities. This story demands to be read again and again.

[Kanini Rodney-Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorously delightful! Sammy is a lovable character full of spunk. He’s commendable for his single-minded determination to becoming a pirate, and adorable for his bloops and blunders. Faced with seasickness (the ultimate adversity for a pirate!) Sammy’s life-long dream is almost shattered but, in true pirate problem-solving style, he keeps his dream afloat. The story cleverly ends with a new beginning, leaving readers to wonder about Sammy’s next pirate adventures.

[Evelyn Bookless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Sammy wants, more than anything, to be a pirate just like his Dad but is faced with an enormous obstacle - seasickness! Eventually Sammy finds a way to be a pirate through persistence and imagination - no doubt inspiring young readers to solve their problems too. The artwork is stunningly bright and colorful. And to top it off, this story is inspired by a real life pirate!

[Sope Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The delicious irony of a seasick pirate, the pluck and determination Sammy uses to overcome that challenge and the innovative solution he comes up with in the end all make for an absolutely engaging read. Better still was the bonus information at the end of the book about the legend of the Bajan pirate Sam Hall Lord. I would definitely recommend this book to read over and again.

[Zanna McMurtrey]

All the way through reading this I was so confused about whether it was set in 1600’s British waters or a more modern… pirate ship? I’m also kinda sus about the beached abandoned pirate ship. I don’t think a kid should be shaping his future around one huge happening, but the relationship with the dad is really cute.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story of a young boy who really wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become a pirate. When he finally gets a chance to sail on a ship, he unfortunately learns that he suffers from seasickness. He is so disappointed. But he quickly learns that there is something else he can do and he'll get treasure!

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a funny book! A great combination of humor and a heartfelt quest for a son to follow in his father’s footsteps…when a HUGE obstacle gets in the way. I like that it’s inspired by the legend of Barbados pirate Sam Hall Lord.

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pirate story unlike any other. Funny and sweet with a lesson about persistence and flexibility thrown in. I love that it is based on the story of a real pirate. Kids will enjoy this pirate story with a twist, and I predict lots of pirate antics following storytime!

[ren !! · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love the cat so much, it has an eyepatch.

[Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

[Addysen Howard]

Overall a fun read with many opportunities for playful voice inflections and voice characters. The overarching lesson of it being okay to fail. You just try something more suited for you!

[Shawn Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustration in this book was really well done the color used meshed well together. The story was well written, i had fun while reading this story especially when he threw up on the boat.

[Deborah Blin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, soulful story, wonderfully illustrated which I highly recommend as one of your children's read! Filled with humour and humanness, my child and I were both hooked onto the adventures of Sammy until the end! A story sending out a wonderful message about never giving up on one's dreams.

[rawr · Rating 4 out of 5]

through sammy i learn, when we want to reach our dream, it doesn't matter whether something blocks our paths or feel sick along with it, or we stumble over something; we still could figure it out, there's always a way

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy works hard to learn all he needs to know to join his father's crew and become a pirate, however, when he finally earns the right to climb aboard, he becomes seasick. This adorable new picture book is inspired by the real legend of Barbados pirate Sam Hall Lord. Filled with humor and heart it encourages children to be flexible and not give up on their dreams when faced with unexpected obstacles.