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Pirates, Ho!
”We are pirates, pirates, ho!”
Swashbuckling pirates sail the seas, braving storms, battles—and other pirates! From the first mate down to the cabin boy, they are rascals through and through. But at night, by the light of the moon, they tell each other ghost stories…and guess who ends up being scared? Stephen Gilpin’s hand-drawn and digitally colored artwork is a bold, perfect match with Sarah L. Thomson’s rollicking, rhyming text.
Swashbuckling pirates sail the seas, braving storms, battles—and other pirates! From the first mate down to the cabin boy, they are rascals through and through. But at night, by the light of the moon, they tell each other ghost stories…and guess who ends up being scared? Stephen Gilpin’s hand-drawn and digitally colored artwork is a bold, perfect match with Sarah L. Thomson’s rollicking, rhyming text.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Sarah L. Thomson
72 books86 followersSarah L. Thomson has written over thirty books for young readers, including poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her recent books include Cub's BIG World, which School Library Journal called “a big must-have" and Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale, which Booklist called “genuinely thrilling." She lives in Portland, Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 20, 2018
Words so small could barely read. No storyline and words don't rhyme.
The graphics are good that's about it. ok pirates are bad... It is quite boring. I will not recommend. Maybe words are bigger in print.
The graphics are good that's about it. ok pirates are bad... It is quite boring. I will not recommend. Maybe words are bigger in print.
February 5, 2018
Loved this book!
Arrgh! Great book for me wee ones. Very piratey, but in a good, fun way. Illustrations beautiful and effective. A fun read.
Arrgh! Great book for me wee ones. Very piratey, but in a good, fun way. Illustrations beautiful and effective. A fun read.
May 20, 2018
Pirates
This is a good story for three or four year olds. My younger grandchildren would enjoy the pictures and short storyline.
This is a good story for three or four year olds. My younger grandchildren would enjoy the pictures and short storyline.
July 31, 2018
Another quick read for one of my little ones.
February 23, 2020
what made me smile about this book ... the illustrations are so fun. their hair styles, their smiles ... so fun!! must read. loved it!
July 10, 2013
Ever since becoming a parent I’ve bought and read more children’s books then I thought possible. And all of this before by son has learned how to talk properly! I’ve realized that with the wealth of titles and content out there it can be hard for parents to decide which books would be best worth their time and money. However, of all the books I’ve gotten this far I don’t think I’ve personally enjoyed any single one more than this book about Pirates. Pirates are, of course, one of the little boys’ favorite characters, but even as an adult I was able to really enjoy going through this book. It’s written in verse, and a pretty good verse at that. There is really no plotline as such, but I am not really bothered by it. The narrative voice is very original and authentic. The book manages to strike the perfect balance between the fearsome and ghoulish on one hand, and innocently playful on the other. This is probably one book that I see myself rereading often over the next few years.
Another thing that I really loved about this book are the illustrations. The characters are both whimsical and mildly menacing looking. I love the crisp illustrative style of this book a lot, and will probably look into other works illustrated by Stephen Gilpin.
I only wish that I got the hardcover version of this book. My paperback edition is already showing too many signs of wear and use.
Overall, this is a wonderful children’s book that can be fun to read for both the parents and the children. Highly recommended.
Another thing that I really loved about this book are the illustrations. The characters are both whimsical and mildly menacing looking. I love the crisp illustrative style of this book a lot, and will probably look into other works illustrated by Stephen Gilpin.
I only wish that I got the hardcover version of this book. My paperback edition is already showing too many signs of wear and use.
Overall, this is a wonderful children’s book that can be fun to read for both the parents and the children. Highly recommended.
September 26, 2025
Brave, rascally pirates boast of their deeds and toughness during the day when they fight battles and stand strong. Nighttime is a different matter when they scare themselves with ghost stories. Fun rhyming story and great illustrations.
March 27, 2009
This jaunty, funny book is an ideal read-aloud for any swashbuckling event you may be planning. The pirates here are cartoony and friendly, but also willing to send someone to Davy’s Locker if necessary. They chase down other ships, seek treasure, and force people to walk the plant. All accompanied with the cry of Pirates, Ho! Everything children love about pirates is right here for them to enjoy.
Gilpin’s silly illustrations very effectively make this a fun book. Where the text could take it in a darker direction, the illustrations keep it firmly in a light-hearted spirit. Thomson’s words are rhythmic and one can almost hear the music in them: a jaunty pirate tune of course.
A winning pirate book that is one of the easiest to read aloud that I have seen, this book is appropriate for ages 4-6.
Gilpin’s silly illustrations very effectively make this a fun book. Where the text could take it in a darker direction, the illustrations keep it firmly in a light-hearted spirit. Thomson’s words are rhythmic and one can almost hear the music in them: a jaunty pirate tune of course.
A winning pirate book that is one of the easiest to read aloud that I have seen, this book is appropriate for ages 4-6.
June 25, 2014
A rhyming book about the adventures on a pirate ship. This book does not have a story, but is more of a silly description of the life of pirates. Although the book is fun to read and beautiful to look at, it's pirate language would be hard for children with limited language to understand, and adapting the language would kill the rhyme scheme. This is a fun book to read, but may be hard to get educational things out of it for many children.
Theme: Dramatic play
Topic: Social studies- History and jobs
Theme: Dramatic play
Topic: Social studies- History and jobs
December 16, 2008
Now HERE is a book for the true young pirate lover. There are lots of scurviness and piratical doings, for these are tough pirates. (Ho!)
Still, even tough pirates may occasionally find the need to hide under the covers if a ghostly, soulless pirate sails his ship for them! I'm looking forward to sharing this wtih a group.
Still, even tough pirates may occasionally find the need to hide under the covers if a ghostly, soulless pirate sails his ship for them! I'm looking forward to sharing this wtih a group.
February 26, 2010
These pirates are big and bold and brave during the day, but when they start telling one another ghost stories at night, guess who gets scared!
I liked the title of this one, but I'm not sure a 4-8 year old will know what sending other pirates to Davy Jones means so older readers had better be prepared to explain.
I liked the title of this one, but I'm not sure a 4-8 year old will know what sending other pirates to Davy Jones means so older readers had better be prepared to explain.
October 17, 2009
Fantastic illustrations. Rhyming text about how tough the pirates are until the dark of night falls and they tell scary stories -- including one about a pirate who sold his soul to the devil and may be after them.
June 28, 2011
A colorful cast of Pirate characters - including a GIRL pirate - are brave swashbucklers during the day. But when darkness falls it is a different story altogether. Told in rhyme, with great illustrations this book delighted the kids at storytime.
October 26, 2012
Very cute picture book written in rhyme that describes the life of a pirate...including what happens when they hear a scary story and get a little spooked. Fun book for children fascinated by pirates!
January 23, 2014
I loved reading this book to my kids (5 & 3 at the time). I could use pirate voices and the book just was a lot of fun. I could almost sing it as a schanty rather than just simply reading it out loud. Of course, it is hard to miss with a pirate kids book.
July 8, 2015
Children who love pirates will love this book. In terms of a storytime read-aloud, I've seen much better. This is a simple story in rhyme in which pirates and their treasure are described. Some interesting things such as being chased by a ghost pirate and counting gold instead of sheep.
April 26, 2016
I adore the rhymes in this book, and had a lot of fun reading it. If your kids are into pirates, this is one of the best I've found lately. The characters are fun, and it has more of a story than a lot of pirate books.
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December 10, 2009pirates
May 20, 2010
These fearless pirates tell ghost stories until it's time to sleep and they find, they can't sleep . . .
June 7, 2011
If your kids are pirates, this book is a must. Fabulous illustrations as well.
June 11, 2012
This book gave us some ideas for DJ's upcoming 5th birthday party!
August 8, 2012
Nice rhyming book
September 13, 2013
They are Pirates, Ho! They do all sorts of piratey things, just to wuss out in the end and hide in their beds? Eh.
February 10, 2014
Fun read
My 4 year old liked the tale. It's rhymes were easy for him to get into. He asked to read it again!
My 4 year old liked the tale. It's rhymes were easy for him to get into. He asked to read it again!
October 10, 2014
Why are they pirates? They were wimpy and scared. My son wanted fierce
my son didn't like it that much. I want a scary pirate book for my boys to read and enjoy.
my son didn't like it that much. I want a scary pirate book for my boys to read and enjoy.
May 17, 2015
Loved the illustrations more than the actual story. Found the story kind of rambled on or was broken up in places. Something about it just seemed off to me.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews