Are you looking for some Pirates children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Pirates of any kind are a wonderful theme and are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Pirates books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Pirates, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
Pirates have green teeth when they have any teeth at all. I know about pirates, because one day, when I was at the beach building a sand castle and minding my own business, a pirate ship sailed into view.
So proclaims Jeremy Jacob, a boy who joins Captain Braid Beard and his crew in this witty look at the finer points of pirate life by the Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator David Shannon and the storyteller Melinda Long.
Jeremy learns how to say, “scurvy dog,” sing sea chanteys, and throw food, but he also learns that there are no books or good night kisses on board: “Pirates don’t tuck.” A swashbuckling adventure with fantastically silly, richly textured illustrations that suit the story to a T.
Literacy Extensions:
- Pirates Literature List
- Student Booklet: “If I Became a Pirate”
- Pirates Counting
- My Pirates Story: Student Worksheets
2. Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by James Dean
When Captain Pete discovers a treasure map, he and his crew are ready to set out and sail the seas to find the buried gold and jewels. But they weren’t expecting to find a giant sea monster along the way!
New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean brings us a fun, epic sea adventure with Captain Pete in Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Pirates Can” Classroom Book
- “If I Were a Pirate” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Pirates vs Superheroes
- Pirates Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. How to Be a Pirate by Isacc Fitzgerald
CeCe dreams of being a pirate. When the neighborhood boys tell her that she can’t, she wonders where to begin. Luckily, she suspects her grandpa must know something about being a pirate why else would he have all those tattoos?
As he shares each tattoo, Grandpa and CeCe are transported from adventure to adventure, and CeCe discovers that there are all kinds of ways to be a pirate. Be BRAVE! Be QUICK! Be INDEPENDENT! But, most of all, whether you’re a pirate or not, the most important thing you can do is to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Pirates Can
- Pirates Story Parts Worksheet
- Popsicle Stick Pirate Art Project
- Pirates Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Pirates Don’t Go to Kindergarten by Lisa Robinson
Pirate Emma is about to start kindergarten! But Emma’s not so sure she’s ready for a new captain and crew. Especially since Cap’n Chu the roughest, toughest, awesomest preschool cap’n ever is right down the hall.
So, Emma decides to head back to the preschool ship to see if she can stir up a mutiny against kindergarten! Is that what she really wants? Or does she just miss her beloved Cap’n Chu? Batten down the hatches, mateys, because the first day of school is going to be stormy!
Literacy Extensions:
- Pirates Literature List
- Pirates Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Pirates Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Pirate Ship Project
5. Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman
Grab your peg leg and your parrot and don’t forget your underpants! This wacky picture book pairs pirates and underwear in a funny adventure.
These pirates SO love underpants, They’re on a special quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold, For the Captain’s Treasure chest. This hilarious new addition to the Underpants series is full of pirates, sharks, and treasure. You’ll be yo-ho-ho-ing with hilarity until the pirates conclude their zany expedition! o-ho-ing until the sails come down!
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Were a Pirate” Classroom Book
- Pirates Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Pirates Art Project
- Pirates Add & Subtract Match Game
6. The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle
Meet the Jolley-Rogers — a pirate family who is moving to Dull-on-Sea, a quiet seaside town, while they fix up their ship. This unusual family soon has the whole neighborhood gossiping.
Defying the grown-ups, Matilda becomes friends with young pirate Jim Lad. When the Jolley-Rogers return to sea, the town realizes that they were wrong to assume the worst when it is discovered that the pirates have buried treasure in everyone’s yard. The neighbors are thrilled, but Matilda is sad to have lost her new friend, until she discovers her own treasure, a pen pal!
Literacy Extensions:
- Pirates Word Bank
- Pirates Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Pirates Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Pirates Roll & Cover Math Games
7. The Treasure of Pirate Frank by Mal Peet
A boy and his dog set sail in search of treasure. They brave stormy seas, and mountains that are snowy and cold. They brave the forest where the monkeys swing, the swamp where the bullfrogs sing, and other challenging obstacles.
They do all this before finally reaching the end of their quest, the treasure of Pirate Frank. But there’s a surprise in store when they discover that Pirate Frank is a girl. And no one is going to steal her treasure!
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Became a Pirate” Student Booklet
- Pirates Make a Short Vowel Word
- Pirates Sight Word Games
- Pirates Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Molly Rogers Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke
Ferocious Captain Firebeard and the crew of the Horrible Haddock rule the high seas. But the dastardly pirates meet their match when they kidnap a small, feisty girl called Molly as she sails to visit her granny.
Molly refuses to cower in fear. She knows something the pirates don’t, the real pirate to fear is none other than Molly’s own mum, and she won’t be pleased to find her daughter kidnapped!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Pirates Can” Classroom Book
- Pirates Letter & Sound Match Game
- Pirates Build a Word
- Pirates Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Pirate children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Pirate books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
