Look Out For Pirates!

by Iris Vinton, H.B. Vestal (Illustrator)

This is an exciting tale that many adults will remember from their childhood. There is gold, pirates, a shipwreck and of course the quick thinking captain to save the day. A wonderful read for the young reader.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Picture Books

63 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 1961

About the author

Iris Vinton, an author of many children's books, died of breast cancer Saturday at her home in Manhattan. She was 82 years old.

Ms. Vinton was born in West Point, Miss., and came to New York in the 1930's, when she published several short plays. Her best-known children's novels - such as ''Flying Ebony'' (1947), which was made into a movie called ''The Mooncussers''; ''The Black Horse Company'' (1950); ''Longbow Island'' (1957) and ''Look Out for Pirates!'' - were adventure stories based on real incidents.

She contributed to several Nancy Drew mysteries, compiled a book of games from around the world, published many magazine articles and wrote a number of biographies geared to children, including a 1967 work on President Kennedy. She was director of publications for the Boys Clubs of America for 20 years, and was an active member of Pen and Brush and the Women's National Book Association. She was married to Louis German, who died in 1969.

Ms. Vinton is survived by two sisters, Ila Vinton and Lorraine Vinton Farrell, both of San Antonio.

https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/09/ob...

Reviews

[Brian Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book for a long time growing up. I wanted to be a pirate SOOOO bad! Then I would read it again and want to be one of the sailors that foiled the pirates! Then I saw Star Wars, met Han Solo, and discovered I could be both at the same time. I would club a baby seal to find a copy of this book. Not hard. Just a tap on the head. With a really, really soft mallet.

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of my husband, Jeffrey's, favorites when he was just a little boy. Years ago, we threw an 8th birthday Pirate Party for our daughter, Sloane. This is the book Jeffrey read aloud. Two days ago, the fireworks show was rained out, so we threw an impromptu party for all the family members who had planned to attend with us. This is the book Jeffrey read aloud to our great-nephews. That's three generations of children in our family who love Look Out For Pirates and a lot of sweet memories. Thanks, Iris Vinton.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I first learned to read. Long out of print, I was able to track down a copy in good shape so that now I have it to share with my daughter.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this book because I do not like pirates. I enjoyed this book because I like gold.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprising little action-adventure gem this was! It has everything! A treasure chest filled with gold, dastardly pirates, storms at sea and shipwrecks. It has a deserted island, deep sea diving (in an awesome Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea type diving helmet), and dangerous encounters with sharks. The book boasts a heroic captain and his able crew that are more than a match for the pirates, and the end result was a niece and nephew (and old auntie) who were delighted with this salty and adventurous easy reader!

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent children's book! Well written to develop early language comprehension/reading, a fun adventure story, and engaging art that fits the book. When a shark first appeared in the story I was concerned that it would be portrayed as overly scary or inherently bad, but I was delighted when the scene ended up being quite realistic.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blame this book for my fascination with Pirates. I wish it would come back into print so that I could read it again. Childhood staple.

[Julie Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my husband’s favorite childhood treasures and it is now a staple story time read-aloud with our grandchildren. It may have inspired a few treasure hunts.

[DúviAurvandil Ericsson e Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good illustrations, good story, and the kids love it. But it calls what’s obviously a shark a big fish — did Jonah write this story or what?

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare book.

[Sloane Deterding · Rating 5 out of 5]

my dad read this book to me as a kid and it was SO nostalgic to read it again

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this
book when I was about
8 years old.

I really think that it
actually has quite an original,
interesting plot.

All I can say is that I just
really enjoyed it.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book as a child. Too bad it is out of print!