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Uncle Pirate #1
Uncle Pirate
It's not every day that a pirate -- and his talking penguin -- show up at the front door! But that's exactly what happens when Wilson's long-lost uncle comes to live with his family. Desperate Evil Wicked Bob and his sidekick, Captain Jack, are not ordinary houseguests. They're not ordinary anything . Uncle Pirate is having a spot of trouble adjusting to life on land. And Captain Jack wants to go to school to learn to read. Unfortunately, Very Elementary is as far from shipshape and Bristol fashion as a school could be. Until Uncle Pirate steps in, that is....
Set sail for a classroom adventure from mollymockery to mathematics in this story of a boy who has what every kid wants -- a pirate for an uncle.
Set sail for a classroom adventure from mollymockery to mathematics in this story of a boy who has what every kid wants -- a pirate for an uncle.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2008
26 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Rees
20 books67 followersI was born on October 19th, 1947 in the hospital at March Air Force Base just outside Riverside, California. My father, Norman, was a career sergeant who'd served as an aircraft mechanic and infantryman in the Philippines campaign early in the war and was taken prisoner on Bataan. My mother, Agnes, was a nurse at the hospital where he was sent to recuperate after the war was over.
Until I was fifteen, I lived on or near a number of Air Force bases in this country and in Germany. My sister, Patricia, was born in 1950 at Travis AFB.
Until I was six, I wanted to be a fireman. Between six and twelve, I wanted to be a paleontologist. When I was twelve, I decided I wanted to be a writer. I still haven't outgrown that.
I made some occasional stabs at writing and submitting manuscripts in my twenties and thirties. When I turned forty-seven, I decided to start writing things more regularly. I've been doing so ever since.
Until I was fifteen, I lived on or near a number of Air Force bases in this country and in Germany. My sister, Patricia, was born in 1950 at Travis AFB.
Until I was six, I wanted to be a fireman. Between six and twelve, I wanted to be a paleontologist. When I was twelve, I decided I wanted to be a writer. I still haven't outgrown that.
I made some occasional stabs at writing and submitting manuscripts in my twenties and thirties. When I turned forty-seven, I decided to start writing things more regularly. I've been doing so ever since.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 9, 2009
Arrgh! This be a fine tale of piracy and bad public schools, ye scurvy dogs.
February 29, 2020
Fantastic pirate adventure on dry land.
October 19, 2008
Reviewed by JodiG. for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com
Wilson's mother is making Bad News Pie. That's bad news. It is really pumpkin pie, but Wilson's mom only makes it when she has bad news. What could it be this time?
Wilson's mom hands his dad a letter from the Navy. They have found Wilson's uncle, an uncle he never knew he had, marooned on an island near Antarctica. He had only a fishing pole and a penguin with him when he was found. The Navy is sending them to Wilson's house (yes, the penguin, too!).
They barely finish the letter when there is a knock at the door. There stands Wilson's uncle--and he's a pirate!
The pirate, Desperate Evil Wicked Bob, and his talking penguin, Captain Jack, are now living with Wilson and his family. How does a pirate learn to live a normal life? Uncle Pirate attempts to hold a regular job, as a gardener and in a coffee shop, but nothing is as easy as it seems. And now, Captain Jack wants to go to school. A penguin in school? Very Elementary isn't even the nicest school in town. Things are out of control and even the principal hides under his desk from the bullies.
Soon, Uncle Pirate is at school, too, and things start to look up for Wilson. Can Uncle Pirate fit in at school and with Wilson's family? Things are certainly more interesting since he's come.
UNCLE PIRATE is a fun story for kids ages 7-10. It is silly and even the youngest readers will find their pirate "voice." Before long, the entire family will be walking through the house uttering, "argh" in a pirate voice.
Wilson's mother is making Bad News Pie. That's bad news. It is really pumpkin pie, but Wilson's mom only makes it when she has bad news. What could it be this time?
Wilson's mom hands his dad a letter from the Navy. They have found Wilson's uncle, an uncle he never knew he had, marooned on an island near Antarctica. He had only a fishing pole and a penguin with him when he was found. The Navy is sending them to Wilson's house (yes, the penguin, too!).
They barely finish the letter when there is a knock at the door. There stands Wilson's uncle--and he's a pirate!
The pirate, Desperate Evil Wicked Bob, and his talking penguin, Captain Jack, are now living with Wilson and his family. How does a pirate learn to live a normal life? Uncle Pirate attempts to hold a regular job, as a gardener and in a coffee shop, but nothing is as easy as it seems. And now, Captain Jack wants to go to school. A penguin in school? Very Elementary isn't even the nicest school in town. Things are out of control and even the principal hides under his desk from the bullies.
Soon, Uncle Pirate is at school, too, and things start to look up for Wilson. Can Uncle Pirate fit in at school and with Wilson's family? Things are certainly more interesting since he's come.
UNCLE PIRATE is a fun story for kids ages 7-10. It is silly and even the youngest readers will find their pirate "voice." Before long, the entire family will be walking through the house uttering, "argh" in a pirate voice.
December 16, 2008
For once, Wilson is almost cheered by the Bad News Pie his mom is making--maybe whatever news she has will keep his parents from noticing that his glasses are broken. Again. Lucky for him, Mom's news is just distracting enough: her long-lost brother has been found, and is coming to stay with them. Wilson is shocked when his uncle arrives: he's not just a relative, he's a pirate, and he travels with a talking penguin. Captain Jack (the penguin) wants to learn to read, and Uncle Pirate (Bob) needs to adjust to life on land, so it's off to Wilson's elementary school--the most un-shipshape place imaginable. That is, until Uncle Pirate takes over as Captain....
This is a goofy, humorous story, reminiscent of the Wayside School books. Early readers will enjoy Uncle Pirate's nautical vocabulary, and will likely adopt "arh" and "matey" into their own speech. The zaniness of the school's faculty is at odds with the realistic portrayal of Wilson and his family, which makes one or the other seem wrong for the book, but kids will get a kick out of this wacky story regardless.
This is a goofy, humorous story, reminiscent of the Wayside School books. Early readers will enjoy Uncle Pirate's nautical vocabulary, and will likely adopt "arh" and "matey" into their own speech. The zaniness of the school's faculty is at odds with the realistic portrayal of Wilson and his family, which makes one or the other seem wrong for the book, but kids will get a kick out of this wacky story regardless.
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February 11, 2009I began reading this chapter book to Andrew & Zachary, but by the end of the week Ryan & Lizzy had been hooked into this book, migrating from their bedrooms to the living room where we were reading. (Were they really listening from way back there?)
A comical Uncle Pirate comes into the life of his young nephew and ends up becoming a teacher at his nephew’s school. It’s hilarious with all the pirate talk, choices that are made and of course his talking penguin sidekick Captain Jack.
I didn’t want the book to end, because I didn’t want the moment to end of all my children sitting with me in the living room enjoying a good book and one another's company (they are getting older way too fast, and soon will be on their own); especially after a rather frustrating day. But alas, we'll have to take another trip to the library to collect more books for more nights together.
A comical Uncle Pirate comes into the life of his young nephew and ends up becoming a teacher at his nephew’s school. It’s hilarious with all the pirate talk, choices that are made and of course his talking penguin sidekick Captain Jack.
I didn’t want the book to end, because I didn’t want the moment to end of all my children sitting with me in the living room enjoying a good book and one another's company (they are getting older way too fast, and soon will be on their own); especially after a rather frustrating day. But alas, we'll have to take another trip to the library to collect more books for more nights together.
September 11, 2008
Wilson hates school because he has so many bullies. One day his long lost Uncle shows up, but his Uncle is a Pirate...Bob. Bob needs a job and after unsuccesful jobs such as a gardener and coffee maker, he decides to go to school with Wilson. Wilson's teacher is scared of Pirate Bob and runs away. Pirate Bob takes over the class and becomes their teacher. The kids become "pirates" and each get their own pirate name. Soon the whole school wants Pirate Bob for a teacher and they all become pirates.
Not very well written and very unreal (obviously). But for instance the principal's secretary won't let you in the room unless you giver her food and the principal sits under his desk and reads all day. A fun and silly book though.
Not very well written and very unreal (obviously). But for instance the principal's secretary won't let you in the room unless you giver her food and the principal sits under his desk and reads all day. A fun and silly book though.
December 19, 2008
If the opening had been as good as the rest of the story, I would have given it a fourth star.
The author may not have considered the possibility that the pirate character got a little too close to reality in the first chapters, talking about how difficult it's gotten to attack supertankers and such. He's supposed to be sympathetic because he tried to do harm and failed? I had trouble with that. The best part of the opening was his explanation of teaching a penguin to talk. The worst was Bob the pirate's casual disregard for others, including his own family.
Once the real story started, it became much more interesting. The coffee shop and school stories were clever, strange and funny, as the "normal" folks got caught up in Desperate Evil Wicked Bob's pirate craziness.
The author may not have considered the possibility that the pirate character got a little too close to reality in the first chapters, talking about how difficult it's gotten to attack supertankers and such. He's supposed to be sympathetic because he tried to do harm and failed? I had trouble with that. The best part of the opening was his explanation of teaching a penguin to talk. The worst was Bob the pirate's casual disregard for others, including his own family.
Once the real story started, it became much more interesting. The coffee shop and school stories were clever, strange and funny, as the "normal" folks got caught up in Desperate Evil Wicked Bob's pirate craziness.
November 12, 2009
This book was clever and creative, but there were a couple if messages there that I didn't appreciate. The school that the boy attends is in chaos. The kids behave horribly and the administration behaves even worse. There are three instances where the students recite the Pledge of Allegiance--only the Pledge isn't recited. It is revised and almost mocked. I don't think kids should be reading things that downplay patriotism and paint school administrators in such a negative light. That being said, the Uncle Pirate was able to restore order to the school by giving responsibility to those who needed it, and uniting the students in a common goal--to keep their classrooms ship-shape and Bristol fashion. Clever idea. Fun "piratey" language. Easy read. Not the best book for children.
November 10, 2012
Everything becomes "shipshape and Bristol fashion" in this humorous tale of a long-lost Uncle named Desperate Evil Wicked Bob, his talking penguin Captain Jack, and his nine year-old nephew, Wilson. Arriving on short notice with tall tales, Uncle Pirate charms the sea legs off of Wilson's family, friends, and the school administrators. As quirky and funny as "Mr. Popper's Penguins", as off-beat as a "Wayside School" with real heart, this is a hip comedy anyone, of any age, would love! Written especially with ages 7-9 in mind...
February 10, 2014
This one was goofy, but fans of Sideways Stories will love it. After a lifetime of pirating (presumably not successfully) Bob shows up at Wilson's door talking penguin in hand. Wilson would really like his Uncle Pirate to stay, but he needs a job to earn his keep. Not gardening, he cuts down everything, not the coffee shop, too corporate. But school, hey, he can teach school. It turns out Wilson's school has an over-the-top discipline problem and a former pirate is just the person to bring the kids to heel. A great, funny, easy chapter book, and exactly 100 pages.
April 12, 2010
Who wouldn't want a pirate for an uncle? Maybe Wilson, whose family is taken completely by surprise by the appearance of long lost Uncle Pirate, better known as Desperate Evil Wicked Bob, and his talking penguin, Captain Jack. But as it turns out, everything gets better with Uncle Pirate around, especially Wilson's rowdy, out-of-control school, when Uncle Pirate takes matters into his own hands. Often hilarious, this is a great read aloud for 3rd grade and up. Highly recommended.
September 10, 2008
For some reason, I just really liked this book. Uncle Pirate is such an endearing character and the zany situations (with a talking Penguin and poorly behaving adults) are all well-plotted and really fun. The cartoon illustrations fit the tone of the text nicely, too. A fun and satisfying beginning chapter book.
May 23, 2016
Can't remember where I heard about this book, but it was a good one for my 5 year old. I sometimes changed Uncle Pirate's bad grammar while reading because I don't want my son talking like that...but it lost some of the pirate charm when I did that.
Recommended for boys. My 3 year old even seemed entertained by it a little bit.
Recommended for boys. My 3 year old even seemed entertained by it a little bit.
July 24, 2012
A quirky story about Wilson and his long lost Uncle Bob, a real-life pirate complete with a peg leg and talking penguin. Uncle Bob transforms Wilson’s unruly school using pirate names, slang, and song. The humorous illustrations by Tony Auth add nicely to the story. The plot is just a bit far fetched but will have great appeal to boys looking for a pirate tale.
March 18, 2016
wilson's uncle comes to move into his house he brought with him his pet penguin that can talk its wilson's first time seeing his uncle and guess what his uncle is a pirate what fun things can you do with a pirate! I would recommend this book for you because it has a talking penguin in the story and its a pretty silly story!
July 9, 2008
Summary:
After being stranded in Antarctica, Wilson's long-lost uncle -- a pirate -- is sent to live with him and his family.
Strengths:
Certainly quirky and there's a sweet silliness to it. It's got pirates, unruly kids, and a talking penguin! An easy sell.
After being stranded in Antarctica, Wilson's long-lost uncle -- a pirate -- is sent to live with him and his family.
Strengths:
Certainly quirky and there's a sweet silliness to it. It's got pirates, unruly kids, and a talking penguin! An easy sell.
July 29, 2008
3rd/4th grade read. Wilson receives a surprise when his Uncle Pirate (Desperate Evil Pirate Bob) comes to live with his family. Wilson likes having Uncle Pirate around and wants to help him find a job so that he can stay but finding a job for a pirate isn't as easy as Wilson thought.
April 11, 2010
Light (bordering on goofy) reading for the reader who is just becoming fluent, reluctant readers, and those who like goofy adventures. Droll humor, odd coincidences, a talking penguin family affection, and lovely old dredful, evel, pirate Bob combine for a rollicking adventurous tale.
September 15, 2010
GOOFY, quick read (just under 100 pgs) book for 3rd/4th grade. Parents like me will not appreciate the mockery of the Pledge of Allegiance, but can discuss w/kids, and I feel the very fun storyline outweighs my objection to that piece of the tale.
October 9, 2010
This wasn't as funny as I hoped but it was plenty kooky about a bullied 4th grader who's uncle, a pirate and his sidekick, a penguin, move into his home and then take over his classroom and pretty much the school as well. Lots of pirate language!
May 26, 2013
Quirky tale of a boy whose long lost uncle is a pirate complete with a peg leg and a talking penguin. Yes, the story is far-fetched, but it is an enjoyable read. Recommended for boys who love a good pirate tale, but who doesn't love a good pirate tale?
March 7, 2016
This was fine, maybe a good choice for high 1st and 2nd grade readers. (Not that I'm searching for titles that fit that demographic) It's a little goofy for the 3rd and 4th graders who typically read at this level.
July 16, 2009
Hilariously silly. I would recommend this one to kids. A LOT of kids.
January 9, 2010
Hilarious and intelligent. Great for grades 2-4. Not classic literature but well done.
January 11, 2012
Good for discussing what is not real about pirates, plus funny and something a 3rd/4th grader could read.
April 19, 2012
This was a cute book for young elementary-aged kids about a bullied boy whose pirate uncle turns his life upside down.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews