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Grandma and the Pirates
When pirates, attracted by the smell of home-cooked noodle pudding, abduct Grandma and her parrot, clever Melissa comes up with a plot to set Grandma free.
28 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
2 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Phoebe Gilman
32 books52 followersWhat can I tell you about myself? I like to make up stories and draw pictures. I like to go ice skating, to the movies and I love reading books.
I was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York. My Mother loved to read so it was only natural that my brothers and I got our own library cards as soon as we were able to print our names. My favorite books were fairy tales. When the pictures didn't match the images that the words had painted in my head, I would cover them up with my hands. I still do that.
I prefer the words to the pictures, which is a little odd since I think of myself as an artist rather than a writer. All of my formal training has been in art. I went to The High School of Art and Design. From there, it was a short skip and a jump over to The Art Student's League, after a brief detour to Hunter College. I spent fifteen years at the Ontario College of Art, teaching others how to draw and paint. It still surprises me to be called a writer.
As soon as I was able, I started to travel. I like meeting new faces and going to new places. One of the nice things about being an artist is that it is a very portable profession. I have lived for extended periods of time in both Europe and Israel.
Shortly after coming to Canada in 1972, I met and married Brian Bender. We have three children, Ingrid, Jason and Melissa, two granddaughters, Ariana and Emily and a cat, Minoo.
It was because of my daughter, Ingrid, that I became an author. When her balloon burst on a tree branch, I wished the tree would magically sprout balloons. It didn't...what sprouted was an idea in my head. Why not write a story about a tree that blossoms balloons? And that's how I came to write my first book, The Balloon Tree.
It is not how I came to be published. That took fifteen years and umpty zillion rejection slips to accomplish.
My advice to any aspiring author is:
•Get a balloon and let it go.
•Read. Read. READ!
•Write. Write. WRITE! (To do anything well takes practice.)
•Don't give up. Keep on trying.
•Don't be afraid of criticism. Learn from it.
From the author's website
I was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York. My Mother loved to read so it was only natural that my brothers and I got our own library cards as soon as we were able to print our names. My favorite books were fairy tales. When the pictures didn't match the images that the words had painted in my head, I would cover them up with my hands. I still do that.
I prefer the words to the pictures, which is a little odd since I think of myself as an artist rather than a writer. All of my formal training has been in art. I went to The High School of Art and Design. From there, it was a short skip and a jump over to The Art Student's League, after a brief detour to Hunter College. I spent fifteen years at the Ontario College of Art, teaching others how to draw and paint. It still surprises me to be called a writer.
As soon as I was able, I started to travel. I like meeting new faces and going to new places. One of the nice things about being an artist is that it is a very portable profession. I have lived for extended periods of time in both Europe and Israel.
Shortly after coming to Canada in 1972, I met and married Brian Bender. We have three children, Ingrid, Jason and Melissa, two granddaughters, Ariana and Emily and a cat, Minoo.
It was because of my daughter, Ingrid, that I became an author. When her balloon burst on a tree branch, I wished the tree would magically sprout balloons. It didn't...what sprouted was an idea in my head. Why not write a story about a tree that blossoms balloons? And that's how I came to write my first book, The Balloon Tree.
It is not how I came to be published. That took fifteen years and umpty zillion rejection slips to accomplish.
My advice to any aspiring author is:
•Get a balloon and let it go.
•Read. Read. READ!
•Write. Write. WRITE! (To do anything well takes practice.)
•Don't give up. Keep on trying.
•Don't be afraid of criticism. Learn from it.
From the author's website
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 13, 2022
I discovered beloved American-Canadian, Phoebe Gilman in 2017, via “L’Arbre Aux Ballons”. I was most impressed by her début’s soaring originality and her heroine’s determination not to await rescue. She went out seeking solutions to protect her village. No wonder it is a classic.
Phoebe produced broad material from 1984 to this 1990 storybook that I found last week. She published ethnic folktales and more of her creations. “Grandma And The Pirates” must occupy the bottom of the barrel. A dazzling suite of illustrations preserved three star feedback.
Phoebe trained in New York and taught in Ontario. She is such a gifted artist, no wonder she famously said she was surprised to be called an authoress. The moods, the colours, the textures, the sense of movement, the always present animals and flowers, are sublime to drink in! I look closely at my favourite pages, like daisy fields and soft waves under day or night skies and I cannot believe the realistic detailing achieved in every scene, while looking restrained. Every vista conserves plenty of space for the eyes to roam; simple and yet full and complete. This is one time when leaving out words would have made artwork the superior storyteller.
I love silliness, if sense can be made of events. Alas, I was baffled by the stupidity of the action that unfolded. Grandma and her parrot were kidnapped by pirates, at anchor nearby. She did not jump out because her parrot was chained to a perch.... which was small enough for her to float home. Her Granddaughter did not attempt a rescue until dark.... who could have brought reinforcements, like a sheriff!
Little kids will love the portraits as much as I do. Perhaps the dubious decisions will spark important conversations about how to ensure safety in all circumstances.
Phoebe produced broad material from 1984 to this 1990 storybook that I found last week. She published ethnic folktales and more of her creations. “Grandma And The Pirates” must occupy the bottom of the barrel. A dazzling suite of illustrations preserved three star feedback.
Phoebe trained in New York and taught in Ontario. She is such a gifted artist, no wonder she famously said she was surprised to be called an authoress. The moods, the colours, the textures, the sense of movement, the always present animals and flowers, are sublime to drink in! I look closely at my favourite pages, like daisy fields and soft waves under day or night skies and I cannot believe the realistic detailing achieved in every scene, while looking restrained. Every vista conserves plenty of space for the eyes to roam; simple and yet full and complete. This is one time when leaving out words would have made artwork the superior storyteller.
I love silliness, if sense can be made of events. Alas, I was baffled by the stupidity of the action that unfolded. Grandma and her parrot were kidnapped by pirates, at anchor nearby. She did not jump out because her parrot was chained to a perch.... which was small enough for her to float home. Her Granddaughter did not attempt a rescue until dark.... who could have brought reinforcements, like a sheriff!
Little kids will love the portraits as much as I do. Perhaps the dubious decisions will spark important conversations about how to ensure safety in all circumstances.
July 11, 2015
As if noodle-pillaging weren't enough, the pirates add grandma-napping to their crimes.
July 21, 2022
Grandsons love pirate ships in their bath, so this book was a hit with them. A lesson that with brave ingenuity, good triumphs over evil.
August 24, 2008
When Melissa's grandmother and parrot are kidnapped by pirates (along with her grandma's delicious noodle strudel), she doesn't hesitate before running to save them.
She ends up captured as well, but, as you can expect, ultimately thinks up a way to secure her escape.
It's very well-drawn and well-written, not too scary for sensitive readers, funny in parts, and pretty exciting... but not so much that your kid will unsettle for sleep!
She ends up captured as well, but, as you can expect, ultimately thinks up a way to secure her escape.
It's very well-drawn and well-written, not too scary for sensitive readers, funny in parts, and pretty exciting... but not so much that your kid will unsettle for sleep!
March 30, 2016
This is such a terrific picture book. I wish I owned a hard copy.
November 10, 2019
Fun silly book but maybe not the best messages for the littlest.
January 23, 2023
Unparalleled literature with a surprising ending that illustrates the ingenuity of those who no longer wish to share their noodle pudding.
I do not know what noodle pudding is but I am keen to try it.
I do not know what noodle pudding is but I am keen to try it.
March 7, 2020
The kids thought this was hilarious.
Enjoyed reading numerous times, would get from the library again!
Enjoyed reading numerous times, would get from the library again!
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April 25, 2020I absolutely loved this story when I was little.
August 4, 2021
I thoroughly enjoy the writing of Phoebe Gilman. Her artwork and word choices make for such a delightful read.
September 12, 2022
Pretty weird story.
July 29, 2023
Funny - it took us a minute to figure out who Oliver was.
December 31, 2023
Another interesting read for grandmother/granddaughter. The two strong minded take on some ornery pirates & get creative ;-)
January 18, 2025
A delightful book! Can’t wait to read it aloud to the kids at school.
May 7, 2016
Passing pirates who smell Grandma's delicious noodle casserole decide that Grandma and her pet parrot Oliver are coming with them! Granddaughter Melissa isn't going to let that happen without a fight, though, so she goes along and immediately starts planning their escape. This illustration style is not my favorite, as it's very intricate and traditional, but Melissa's ingenuity and the satisfying ending more than make up for it. Also I like how Grandma brandishes her rolling pin on the cover.
November 26, 2013
Don't let pirates know that you can cook, or they will kidnap you! This is the main idea in this adorable children's book. It's the tale of a grandmother and her two grandchildren who become buccaneers after some hungry pirates smell the grandmother's tasty noodle pudding. This is a really simple adventure book that kids seem to enjoy.
February 28, 2025
One summer day pirates smelled Melissa’s grandma’s noodle pudding. They came ashore, ate her pudding, and kidnapped Grandma and her parrot Oliver. Melissa set out to rescue them, but got captured, too. This is the story about the life, Grandma, Melissa, and Oliver had on the pirate ship and their attempts to escape. Funny, great ending.
November 8, 2008
My favorite book when I was little.
January 11, 2015
Why are pirates called pirates? ...because, the arrrrgh! Great for read-aloud with my grans!
December 5, 2011
Cute, charming, and very very silly.
June 10, 2013
In an effort to procure grandma's noodle pies, a band of pirates kidnap her, her granddaughter, and their parrot Paulie. Will they ever escape? Yes, yes they will. And it will be amusing.
April 24, 2015
Very cute story.
March 31, 2023
I grew up with this book but it’s still very funny and wonderfully illustrated.
February 25, 2025
I don't know what took me so long to read this, but it's fantastic! Highly recommend to land-lubbers and feminists, alike!
June 18, 2016
Mean pirates!!!!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews