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Pirate Bob
Yo Ho! Bob is a pirate. Bob's friend, Yellow Jack, is also a pirate. In spare, compelling prose, Kathryn Lasky crafts a story of their unusual friendship; their hopes, dreams, and fears; and their search for happiness in the cutthroat world of pirates. David Clark's quirky illustrations capture the mood of the story and life on the high seas.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
39 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Lasky
266 books2,277 followersKathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 26, 2011
I review children's books only if I really love them (Boss Baby) or really hate them (Theodore and the Talking Mushroom). Pirate Bob falls into the latter category. I'm not sure how author Kathryn Lasky won the Newbery Honor if all her books are as humorless and dull. This one was excruciating to read aloud. Apparently it was boring to read to oneself as well: My 7-year-old son said, "It was exciting for a minute, and then it wasn't anymore." Well said.
And about 3/4 of the way through, my younger son (age 6) said, "I don't want to be a pirate." Was it because Pirate Bob has no friends? Is it because Bob's best friend has scurvy and isn't much of a friend at all? Is it because the thieving life isn't very rewarding after all? Or is it because it was pure torture to plod through this book, waiting in vain for the action to pick up or the clever humor to begin? It doesn't even rhyme, for crying out loud.
Guess what, Kathryn, kids don't want to be pirates, not really. I think by the time they reach the age where they could actually be pirates, that urge has mostly worn off and they'd rather be rock stars. Maybe I'm wrong; I haven't been 6 for several decades. But I do know they don't need or want boring morality tales about pirates--or anything else, for that matter. If they wanted a history lesson, they could get something far more titillating, like Mary Pope Osborne's Pirates Research Guide in the Magic Tree House series. (Can I love that series more? No. My older son tells me tons of things I never knew about history, and it gives him and my history-buff husband a lot to talk about.) And as for morality lessons, even Veggie Tales is more entertaining than this snoozer--and I am prickly about organized religion in general, so it's a lot for me to say that. Lasky could learn a thing or two from MPO and even Veggie Tales about telling kids historically accurate stories while keeping them entertaining. Pirate Bob will be going back to the library tout de suite.
And about 3/4 of the way through, my younger son (age 6) said, "I don't want to be a pirate." Was it because Pirate Bob has no friends? Is it because Bob's best friend has scurvy and isn't much of a friend at all? Is it because the thieving life isn't very rewarding after all? Or is it because it was pure torture to plod through this book, waiting in vain for the action to pick up or the clever humor to begin? It doesn't even rhyme, for crying out loud.
Guess what, Kathryn, kids don't want to be pirates, not really. I think by the time they reach the age where they could actually be pirates, that urge has mostly worn off and they'd rather be rock stars. Maybe I'm wrong; I haven't been 6 for several decades. But I do know they don't need or want boring morality tales about pirates--or anything else, for that matter. If they wanted a history lesson, they could get something far more titillating, like Mary Pope Osborne's Pirates Research Guide in the Magic Tree House series. (Can I love that series more? No. My older son tells me tons of things I never knew about history, and it gives him and my history-buff husband a lot to talk about.) And as for morality lessons, even Veggie Tales is more entertaining than this snoozer--and I am prickly about organized religion in general, so it's a lot for me to say that. Lasky could learn a thing or two from MPO and even Veggie Tales about telling kids historically accurate stories while keeping them entertaining. Pirate Bob will be going back to the library tout de suite.
September 8, 2010
This was an odd book. It dipped into the morality of pirates. Clearly spelling out that pirates are the bad guys. Fine. But not sure Alex was ready to hear about pirates not trusting each other and the yellow pirate who was sick and probably going to die soon...
February 12, 2018
Pirates are definitely the bad guys in this children's book.
Was hoping for a different outcome.
Was hoping for a different outcome.
August 20, 2014
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. From the cover, it looks like it will be a humorous tale about a pirate named Bob. And it is...sort of.
The narrative just doesn't seem to mate well with the comical and exaggerated cartoonish characters. It's far more melancholy and serious.
I like that Kathryn Lasky is attempting to provide a historical context within the tale, but it's just a bit too didactic. Still, we loved the illustrations and we were entertained by the story.
We have enjoyed reading Ms. Lasky's chapter books and would love to see more of her picture book offerings.
The narrative just doesn't seem to mate well with the comical and exaggerated cartoonish characters. It's far more melancholy and serious.
I like that Kathryn Lasky is attempting to provide a historical context within the tale, but it's just a bit too didactic. Still, we loved the illustrations and we were entertained by the story.
We have enjoyed reading Ms. Lasky's chapter books and would love to see more of her picture book offerings.
November 13, 2009
The art makes this look like a "Yo Ho Ho" sort of book for little boys who love pirates. Even the opening, about a pirate's nose seems humorous.
But hidden under the humor is a much more realistic picture of pirates than most kids picture books give. The end, where Bob muses over the dangers of pirate life and plans on retiring "after just one more ship.. then I'll be happy" ending with the words on the final page "I think" is thought provoking.
You may be able to read this to little kids and they may miss the subtleties. But older kids could get a lot of of what's going on here.
But hidden under the humor is a much more realistic picture of pirates than most kids picture books give. The end, where Bob muses over the dangers of pirate life and plans on retiring "after just one more ship.. then I'll be happy" ending with the words on the final page "I think" is thought provoking.
You may be able to read this to little kids and they may miss the subtleties. But older kids could get a lot of of what's going on here.
February 27, 2008
Surprisingly descriptive, thought-provoking text and a cast of goofy grinning hooligans provide a peek into a career in nautical crime as a reflective rogue ponders pillaging -- its logistical details, dangers and doldrums -- and grapples with issues of greed, freedom, friendship and distrust.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
October 26, 2016
If you like to read morally engaging books. Don't pick this up. Bob has no friends....except one, who is probably going to die and Bob would like to know where his treasure is, but also claims he wants to be with him even if he doesn't tell him where his treasure is...ugh. An adult paradox of guilt and no moral ethics shared in a dull child's book. Illustrations were great....but agree with other that it's not for children...better listed as "An Adult Children's book"
August 8, 2011
The boys would probably give this 4 or 4.5 stars, but my opinion is 3. It made me sad. Pirate Bob doesn't have any real friends because he can't trust anyone not to steal his treasure. I guess that stuff is supposed to be funny, but I didn't really think it was. I'm surprised Curtis didn't get sad and ask a million questions about it.
February 19, 2020
Mikayla Presley
Pirate Bob
Genre: Fantasy Fiction Picturebook
Award: n/a
Audience: k-3rd
“Pirate Bob” is a fiction/ fantasy book. The story is not true and it also has elements that are unbelievable like Bob’s nose being cut up to his ear.
The lines in “Pirate Bob” show action and movement throughout the book. The lines draw the eye to a certain perspective that the illustrator wants the reader to see. Most of the lines in the book are curved which shows movement.
I would use this book in a whole group to teach about character description. “Pirate Bob” gives a deep description of each character. This will give students an example of how to describe why characters are a certain way.
Pirate Bob
Genre: Fantasy Fiction Picturebook
Award: n/a
Audience: k-3rd
“Pirate Bob” is a fiction/ fantasy book. The story is not true and it also has elements that are unbelievable like Bob’s nose being cut up to his ear.
The lines in “Pirate Bob” show action and movement throughout the book. The lines draw the eye to a certain perspective that the illustrator wants the reader to see. Most of the lines in the book are curved which shows movement.
I would use this book in a whole group to teach about character description. “Pirate Bob” gives a deep description of each character. This will give students an example of how to describe why characters are a certain way.
October 11, 2020
This felt like way too many words and kind of just...weird? I feel like I can picture a pirate crazy kid enjoying it but it was almost too realistic. Like one of the pirates was just trying to get out of the game and another clearly had like, cirrhosis of the liver going on. But then they fairly non-violently took over a ship, like no one was injured but there were lots of guns and swords. I don't know, my three year old pulled this off the shelf at the library and I was trying to go with the flow of what she was choosing but it just felt like the kind of book that you'd completely forget reading as a kid but would leave you feeling somewhat disturbed by the idea of pirates.
December 11, 2025
This sea faring tale is about the daily life of a pirate named Bob, who sails on the ship Blackbird. The pirates plan to plunder a ship loaded with gold and silver headed to the American colonies to trade for tobacco.
June 13, 2017
Surprisingly accurate and truthful for a kid's book about pirates. Scurvy! Distrust of your friends! Mutilating scars!
October 30, 2019
This book is really cool. Kathryn Lasky is a Great author, she writes two of my favorite series: "Wolves of the Beyond" and "Owls of GaHoole"
June 25, 2022
yikes, this was so shockingly bad, like a kid needed to do a report on pirates and turned it into a badly written story with facts jammed in at odd times.
March 15, 2017
This is way deep for a picture book. Pirate Bob wonders if Captain Yellow Jack is really someone he can trust, if his gold lust will ever abate, and whether the life of a pirate is worth it after all when all that's left is buried treasure without friendship. -Deep-, I tell you.
March 5, 2014
Lasky. K (2006). Pirate bob. Watertown: Maryland. Charlesbridge.
The story begins by describing the main characters facial features. He has a scar that runs on his nose, past his nose and all the way to his ear where there is a gold earring. Then it explains that not all pirates look alike but they have one trait in common. They all love gold, money and treasure a lot and that is why they steal. The main characters name is Bob. When ever there is gold near, his nose itches. Many times through out the story this happens. Bob has a best friend named Yellow Jack. He is named that because he has scurvy and his skin is the color of a "very pale lemon" (8). Yellow Jack has hidden his treasure somewhere, and thinks that Bob is only his friend because he wants his treasure. Eventually the ship they are on, named "Blackbird" gets into a battle with another ship named "Concordia", but the sailors on that ship are scared. Bob's ship attacks them and steals all their treasure. Every pirate on Blackbird gets some of the treasure, but the pirates that have been there the longest get more than anyone. Yellow Jack has been there a lot longer than Bob, so He gets more treasure and Bob is a little jealous. Bob dreams and thinks of one day when he can get enough treasure and hide it and then maybe he will be happy. Then at the very end, he wonders if that will actually make him happy or not. I rate this book 5/5. It was well written and rather fiction or not, showed the life of a pirate.
The story begins by describing the main characters facial features. He has a scar that runs on his nose, past his nose and all the way to his ear where there is a gold earring. Then it explains that not all pirates look alike but they have one trait in common. They all love gold, money and treasure a lot and that is why they steal. The main characters name is Bob. When ever there is gold near, his nose itches. Many times through out the story this happens. Bob has a best friend named Yellow Jack. He is named that because he has scurvy and his skin is the color of a "very pale lemon" (8). Yellow Jack has hidden his treasure somewhere, and thinks that Bob is only his friend because he wants his treasure. Eventually the ship they are on, named "Blackbird" gets into a battle with another ship named "Concordia", but the sailors on that ship are scared. Bob's ship attacks them and steals all their treasure. Every pirate on Blackbird gets some of the treasure, but the pirates that have been there the longest get more than anyone. Yellow Jack has been there a lot longer than Bob, so He gets more treasure and Bob is a little jealous. Bob dreams and thinks of one day when he can get enough treasure and hide it and then maybe he will be happy. Then at the very end, he wonders if that will actually make him happy or not. I rate this book 5/5. It was well written and rather fiction or not, showed the life of a pirate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2009
In simple sentences, describes a day in the life of a pirate named Bob, whose job is to cut the steering cables and cripple the ships he and his shipmates will loot. His best friend is Yellow Jack (who has scurvy) and Bob is kind of curious where YJ has buried his loot, but worries about asking and wrecking the friendship. Gives a feeling of being driven by greed. A verisimilitudinously greedy, pirate-y tale.
June 17, 2010
Ahhh...the life of a pirate, Pirate Bob is one salty character with his scar from the tip of his nose to his pointy ear. He wears his gold earring proudly as he loots the ships under the rogue moon.
Used for "Pirates: Arrggg, Mateys!" storytime-June, 2010.
Used for "Pirates: Arrggg, Mateys!" storytime-June, 2010.
August 20, 2014
Kind of a grim story for kids. The cover says the story is about friendship, but it paints a picture of secrecy and dishonesty amongst friends. The ending is a bit sour and abrupt as we'll. the pictures are nice though!
February 23, 2008
CK and I had a great laugh that the 2 best friend pirates were named Bob and Jack. So perhaps the "P" in EQP really stands for Pirate?
May 13, 2008
Disease, greed, trust issues, outlaws--everything you could want in a kid's book. A mostly honest pirate book to remedy all the cute and hip pirate books. Prepare to be boarded!
July 7, 2008
Really silly book! I really liked it!
March 8, 2009
The girls and I had fun reading this entertaining delight. It was thought provoking for them and we stopped and discussed quite often.
Read
February 5, 2010We love pirates.
October 18, 2012
Another rather lousy pirate read. I do give her credit for making a realistic pirate story. No sugar coating here. Plundering and stealing!
March 9, 2013
You really, REALLY liked this one. And it was such an odd existential (yes, big word) book for being a children's book. Dad loved it too.
January 7, 2014
The kinda sea story I like: pirates, cannon, grapeshot and traesure! Little fans of Pirates of the Carribean should get a kick outa this one.
January 21, 2014
A funny informative pirate book which tells the reader facts about the pirates through the story of a long nosed pirate name Bob.
March 8, 2015
I found this story oddly disjointed.
July 27, 2016
Definitely a title for older readers that love pirates. Detailed narrative with strong illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews