Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates

by T.E. Antonino

Fourth grader Sparky can’t swim or float, but this doesn’t stop her from imagining one great pirate story
for English class. Sparky’s classmates are thrown into a whirlwind over her story. Is Sparky truly a pirate
captain? Are Gobble, Bobble, and Wobble real life pirates? Sparky and her pirate crew embark on
hilarious adventures where she’ll learn to be a pirate and the pirates will learn to be nice. It’s up to you
to discover if her story is true!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

101 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2023

About the author

T. E. Antonino is an author in multiple genres. He also happens to be an illustrator. Writing and art fill up 90% of the available space in his head. He loves to try loose teas from all over Asia. Reading, hiking, and the occasional adventure keep him humming along nicely. Many more of his books will see the light of day shortly.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and fairly quick read for children.

[The Lady Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, funny, cute!

What a great kids story to read to your kids at night, or just for a pick me up. Imaginative story that made me smile and giggle.

[Alex Helm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young kids will love this

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice read for children.
My grandchildren would like it.
Good message about being kind.
I love the illustrations, also. 😊
Thanks to Goodreads for the digital copy.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for evaluation.

First, the author needs to get a good editor who knows fundamental language, such as the difference between your and you're. (This should be especially important in a children's book.)

I found the book to be too meandering to hold my attention, and full of missed opportunities. While there was at least some logic to the classroom/story path, the actual pirate adventure seemed to be just a random collection of scenarios. Also, Captain Sparky was supposed to teach the pirates to be nice, yet she missed several opportunities to do so - for example when they kept interrupting her. (Again, for a children's book, this dilutes any lesson(s) that could be learned.)

[Jessica Vroman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful! Engaging and intriguing. A must read for book lovers of all genres ! Two thumbs up and prepare to smile and have your emotions go up and up! Woohoo!

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for choosing me as a winner for a copy of this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I wasn’t even half way and had put this in my Amazon cart. I can’t wait to read it in my elementary classroom!

Sparky has to write a story for her 4th grade English class. She is at the city pool with her mom when inspiration strikes in the form of 3 pirates who sail the pool drain pipes.

Pirates are known for not being nice and Sparky really wants to be a pirate too. What deal could she strike to entice her new pirate friends? Why, swap teaching each other, that’s what! Pirates will teach Sparky how to be a pirate, while Sparky teaches the pirates to be kind and have manners.

Insert a class of 4th graders eagerly listening to this tale on the high north sea wind and the hilarity activates at full throttle. Some students believe, others do not… and all hail the power of the cookie!

[Sharon Ramsamooj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and super creative. A fun, imaginative, tall tale! Pirates, a hippopotamus and turkeys! You'll never guess how it all ties together.

I received this book free from goodreads and appreciated the opportunity to review it.

What an adventure. Kept my attention the entire time. Kids will love it. A fast paced story that keeps you guessing what will happen next.

One star off for the main character not being as nice, acting a little bratty and ruining some expensive clothes though. Why not use some old clothes instead or ask permission first to do a makeshift costume.

Should have been a lesson in there or at least some remorse. Didn't seem like a 4th grader and struck me as way too impulsive.

Other than that, loved the ending and how everything got resolved and all the twists and turns with the plot. Very clever story.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loved this book!

After we finished reading this fun and silly book, I asked my daughter what she thought of it, and she said "Super amazing and awesome!" She enjoyed our daily chapters and sometimes even asked me to read more than one a day!
As a parent, I found this book very cute, funny and originally imaginative!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

very imaginative and entertaining pirate adventure!

I really enjoyed this children’s pirate adventure story. The author nailed the child’s point of view and wild imagination. Very entertaining for kids of all ages


*I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway

[Jess Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to kids who thought some of the lines were funny. I didn't especially appreciate it. A few times I didn't care for the characters reactions and the poor attitude towards others. Thankfully the kids didn't actually comprehend the parts I don't want them.

[Stacie Blas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and cute read for children with a message about kindness.

[Penguin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book for Kindle in a giveaway! I knew I had to read it as soon as I got it. It was absolutely adorable and a great, easy read for children and adults alike.

I also loved the inclusion of Chapter 14 and how the book teaches kids that it's okay to cry and how to be nice

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like a kid would tell a story

Sparky tells a story about herself and some pirates. The book really felt like a kid was telling the story.

[Hailey Honea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book. So many laughs were shared.

[Tiffany Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and witty book. Quick read. Great plot. I look forward to more books from this author.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

*super cute book, very easy to read
*fun and enjoyable
*great book to choose for any accelerated reader program
*highly recommend

[Emily Vandeveer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway: I’m almost too embarrassed to admit how much I enjoyed this children’s book….Almost… 😂

This was an exciting and hilarious read about Sparky and becoming a pirate! 🏴‍☠️ Very short and sweet since it’s more middle grade, but 5 solid stars all the same! ⭐️

[Reva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Sand lot vibes.

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun 😌

[Zenia Primrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Officially the first book I’ve read to my newborn son. It was very fun and cute!

[Erin Draganowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun!

My daughter had a fun time reading this book! She said she liked it a lot, I heard lots of giggles from her while she was going through it!

[Lynette]

I have not yet received this book and hope it will be mailed to me soon

[Nichole Montanez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was super fun. The pirates were really silly and made me and my sister laugh. When the pirate sneezes to the boat made me giggle. Sparky is brave and does things that scare her.

-Catalina 9 years old.

[Richard Gresham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it a real fun read

Great imagination writing this book. I liked the twists and turns and the very imaginative way the story unfolded. Great plot starting with a drain and finally ending up in the huge ocean. The lack of concern for food or clothing certainly fit in with the age of children who would be reading it. Good Job!!!

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best adventures come at just the right time. Sparky was agonizing over homework for her English class when Gobble, Wobble, and Bobble, self-described pirates, came out of the pool drain. The pirates are stranded and need help returning to the open seas. Sparky is but a fourth-grader who does not know how to float or swim, much less navigate a vast ocean stalked by a terrifying sea hippopotamus. Besides, the pirates seem rough and mean to each other. Sparky knows that the pirates can stand to learn about qualities that make a great friend. She joins the grand adventure and lives to tell the tale to her fourth-grade class.

In this delightful early reader book, author T.E. Antonino shares essential lessons in friendships, overcoming fears, standing by your truth, celebrating differences, and being open to fresh adventures and experiences. Children would appreciate the fun expressions and catchy phrases featured in the back-and-forth dialogue between Sparky and the pirates. While the story emphasizes the importance of kindness and reciprocity, it does so in a pleasant and inviting way. Sparky and the pirates share an infectious enthusiasm for learning from and about each other and how to be a reliable and trustworthy friend.

The power of imagination takes center stage in the story, inspiring children to open up their notebooks and write fantastical stories. The incident with the pirate flag may make readers wonder whether Sparky is as nice as she says she is. To be a good leader of pirates, Sparky finds out that she has some work she needs to do. It is not enough to claim that one is kind. A genuinely kind person always does nice things, even when no one is looking.

Each chapter sets up a key lesson that can pose questions for more learning opportunities. Parents, teachers, and librarians can use Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates as a teaching tool to define kindness, understanding, and diverse preferences and points of view. Sparky learns what it takes to be a good pirate captain. It is never too early to ask children about how they think and their reflections on an issue. When Sparky shared the story with her classmates, not everybody believed her. Sparky could have been discouraged, but she chose to stand by her truth. During these contentious times, this is an important lesson for children. It is all right to disagree because we can not expect everyone to have the same opinions. What’s important is that we learn to respect our differences.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

My niece and I didn't find the story particularly enjoyable or engaging. It may have just not been our type of story, though. Give it a shot. You may love it!

*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to all who made that possible.

[T.E. Antonino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the simplest things can be the most meaningful, like being nice. When Sparky has to write a story for her fourth grade English class, she discovers just that. Pirates Bobble, Gobble, and Wobble desperately want to be nice, and it just so happens Sparky desperately wants to be a pirate. It’s a match made in heaven — maybe! Once they set sail, their journey takes them to Jerky Turkey Island where events unfold in unexpected ways. It’s hard to be nice when you have a pirate’s crusty heart, and it’s hard to be a pirate when you can’t float or swim. Join the adventure and sail away to places that bring fun, laughter, hope, and danger all into one bundle of a wild sea williwaw.