Pirates and Privateers
The History of Maritime
Piracy
Cindy Vallar, Editor
& Reviewer
P.O. Box 425,
Keller, TX 76244-0425
Books for
Young Pirates
Port Side Pirates!
By Oscar Seaworthy
Illustrated by Debbie Harter
Musical Arrangements by Mark Collins
Barefoot Books, 2007, ISBN 978-1-84686-062-1, US
$16.00, UK £16.99, CAN $19.99
As a youngster I went to sea
aboard a pirate ship. We sailed far
and wide, encountering fierce gales
and storms. A man went overboard, and
we discovered a shipwreck brimming
with treasure. This is the essence of
the sea chantey told through words,
pictures, and music in this piratical
tale. There’s also a two-page spread
detailing the parts of a pirate’s
galleon, as well as information on
different types of ships, pirates
around the world, and some famous
pirates in history. The last page
includes the musical score for “Port
Side Pirates.”
This is not a tale to be read silently
or right before bed. In my first
reading, I wasn’t impressed because
that’s exactly what I did. Then I
popped in the CD and what a
difference! Port Side Pirates!
is meant to be sung and, as I listened
to the music, read the words, and
examined the colorful pictures, the
book came alive. I felt the wind blow
and heard the thunder crash. I also
found myself singing along with Mark
Collins and his pirate mates as I
turned each page. I didn’t want the
adventure to end. Port Side
Pirates! will delight and
entertain young pirates for hours.
It’s a treasure that only reveals
itself once the chest is opened.
Review Copyright ©2007
Cindy Vallar
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