No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou

by Rhonda Gowler Greene, Brian Ajhar (Illustrator)

At Seabreezy Library, things were just right. / Booklovers were cozy. The sky was blue-bright / when--Shiver me timbers!--through Seabreezy's door / stormed big Pirate Pete and his parrot, Igor! Argh!! Things are looking--and smelling!!--a little fishy at Seabreezy Library. When the big X on Pirate Pete's treasure map leads him and his parrot-sidekick Igor to believe buried treasure is hidden at the library, the patrons are quaking in their shoes. But never fear! Library Lou, Seabreezy's librarian-extraordinaire, is as cool as a cucumber and knows how to handle an irate pirate or two. She knows exactly where the treasure is buried. But first she needs to help Pirate Pete and Igor get a handle on their hygiene, brush up on library etiquette, and then tackle learning their letters. And that will lead them to the treasure that can always be found at the library.

Genres: Picture Books, Pirates, Childrens, Fiction, Books About Books, Storytime, Humor

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2013

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story goes on for a tad too long, long after readers would get the point about what the real treasure is, I still liked it since it encourages even the crustiest among us to read. Uncouth and smelly Pirate Pete arrives at the Seabreezy Library ready to find the spot where X marks. Savvy librarian Lou suggests that he clean up his act and then, under the guise of helping him find the loot he's looking for, she patiently teaches him how to read. I really liked the fact that the reader in this book is a strapping male, a nice poke against the stereotyped notion that reading is a feminine pursuit. Young readers will laugh at Pete's appearance and the way Lou takes control of things in the text and illustrations. Ahoy, mate! There be much treasure here!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate when people portray librarians as sweater-wearing, bun-styling, cat-glasses-wearing, shushers, but this book added in a strong personality, desire to help others, and an unwilling-to-back-down attitude that made me forgive the stereotype. Library Lou teaches Big Pirate Pete how to read and shows him the real treasure in this world: stories!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. SO MUCH!

Seriously, this book is not only for the enjoyment of young readers or listeners, but for the adults that read it too! I swear that I have not laughed as much over a children's book ever. While this book is guaranteed to make you laugh, it's also educational for the kiddos in an entertaining way. I mean, who would ever expect a boisterous, filthy pirate to go to the library and...?! You MUST read to find out!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirate vs. Librarian? My bet's on librarian every single time.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A librarian convinces a pirate that the real treasure in the library is the books. I think we all agree with that.

Excessively wordy. Told in rhyme.

Will the long lists of books convince kids to read more, the way Among Others did for adults? I don't know, but it's worth a try.

[Sleepninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute and funny story with gorgeous artwork. Gotta love a fun pirate book. Especially one that also involves a library.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lively premise, and even though pirates seem able to show up in almost at setting, is one is a bit of a surprise. The pirate takes a tad too long to figure out the punch line, but kids will be way ahead of him. Seems like a great intro to the library organization and its ultimate value to readers. Kids who say ruble with "breaking the code" will appreciate the pirate's initial AAARGH! When confronted with the process.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable. And it bugged me that he kept using "me" in place of "I". Yes, pirates say "me" in place of "my," but I think that otherwise they use the correct pronouns.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! A disgusting pirate!

[Kary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to 2nd grade during pirate week.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pirate Pete bursts into a library asking for treasures because there is an X mark on his map. The librarian asks him to learn letters to crack down codes to find the treasure. Later it turns out that there is no treasure other than the pleasure of reading.
The book clearly shows that reading is a pleasure even for a pirate. The story is telling that it is much valuable to realize the pleasure of reading rather than finding and digging golds from the ground. The story also instructs library manners of being quiet in the library and the message that libraries are open for all types of people. In addition to the clear message of this book, it would also be interesting to raise the issue of gender stereotype in reading and occupation as well. When it comes to reading, there is a stereotype that reading is for females and not for males. In this story, the male protagonist became a book lover, and it looked cool. His facial expressions became bright and relaxed when he is reading books. However, at the same time, a question raised in my mind that is it a stereotype if the occupation of the librarian is for a female? I wonder the rates of male librarians in this field. Texts have rhyming that would give pleasure when reading the story. The author described this pirate speaks non-standard English with its unique grammar, words, and accent. It distracted me from catching up on the story and rhymes, but at the same time, I was glad to be exposed to diverse English.

[Cassidy Crandall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everyone likes to read, even pirates! In the picture book, “No Pirates Allowed!” Big Pete has tracked his map to find treasure at a local library. Causing a ruckus in this cozy library, he is asked to leave by the head librarian, “librarian Lou.” She teaches him a lesson or two when he comes back to the library the next day, and even checked out some books. Big Pete learned about letters, sounds, words and eventually how to even read. At the end of the story pirate are even invited to enter the library. Liberian Lou was inclusive enough to invite Pete to read and the book ended with a potential love interest between the two. I would recommend this book to any kindergarten level teacher who is supporting students who are intimated by reading or don’t enjoy it. Another critique of this story is it too long and you might lose interest when or if you’re reading it aloud. However, there are themes of endearment, support, and aspects of realism that reach home for many. It feels as if there are too many gives and takes with this book overall.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A loud, dirty pirates comes into the library looking for treasure. Library Lou admonished him and tells him to clean up and come back, then she will help with the treasure. He comes back and she gives him letters as a clue. He keeps coming each day looking for the treasure and she gives him books as clues for the treasure. Finally, the Pirate knows what the treasure is...do you?

Funny story with great rhyming passages. Kids will crack up when she tells him to go change his underwear!! The illustrations are very detailed. I love looking at the facial expressions on all the characters in the book and as a librarian, I really love the 2 page illustration of Library Lou in the stacks. Some kids might need some assistance or at least another read with a few of the shaming passages, but it's still sure to crack a few smiles.

I read it to second graders and they enjoyed it.

[Nikki Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would open by asking the audience questions to engage them right away.
"How many of you have been to a library?"
"What kind of things do you usually see in a library?"
Asking these questions will get a conversation going and hopefully get the audience to think about why we are discussing this topic.
After the audience describes a typical library, I'll open the book to pages 3-4 and ask, "what's different about this library and yours?" On that page is a pirate in the library with a lot of scared people hiding from him, so I'm hoping that's what will call their attention.
Once we discuss the pirate, I'll end my opening by saying, "this book is named 'No Pirates Allowed! aid Library Lou'. Let's read this book to find out why you never see pirates in libraries.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou is an adorable read for not only the pirate lovers in your life, but also those that need a little reading encouragement. Pirate Pete has been led to the library by his treasure map but is shown that treasure can lie in other things than just gold. Treasure can be books and the skill of reading. The illustrates are adorable, with illustrator Brian Ajhar mastering facial expressions.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

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[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really 4.5ish, just because of the length (needs to be adjusted a bit to be a storytime read, otherwise little attentions start wandering in a group!). Still we have a fun story about a band of pirates who barge into the library looking for treasure. While the Library Lou is still the stereotypical bun-and-glasses-wearing librarian, she's also patient and clever and well-meaning - so it can balance out. And of course a great message: learn to read, and the library is full of the best treasure - stories!

A good one to pull out for pirate or library/reading storytimes or programs. Only caveat is that is a bit long, as mentioned, so plan accordingly.

[Beatrice Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun and easy going book. A pirate enters a library with his parrot and demands his treasure. The librarian helps him....to read and enjoy books! It's such a smile-on-your-face book. Typically nowadays no one knows how to write books in rhyme well. But this one is great! It hiccups occasionally in meter. But not too much. It really reads smooth and so fun. THe drawings are adorable. Love the pirate and his parrot so much. On some pages however there's just white space with no background. Those are only complaints. Its a great story that's fun and heartwarming.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Review: I picked this one up for Munchkin since I was reading a bunch of pirate books, he wanted to as well. This was not my favorite and Munchkin wasn't a huge fan either. The pirate speech was difficult to read even for me and really deflated Munchkin's growing confidence with reading on his own. I do like how the message is that libraries and books themselves are treasure but it wasn't enough to overcome the rest of the story for us.

[Gena Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darling book with fantastic illustrations. A great way to teach children that reading and books are a "treasure."
The text is in rhyme and full of fun pirate-speak. However, the complexity of the story may mean it is hard for the youngest children without explanations. Nevertheless, a wonderful story and a fun read aloud, especially if you like to do voices--for 2nd grade and older for sure!!

[Purviben K. Trivedi-Ziemba]

This book reminds me of library lion but different way. A beautiful story where a brave librarian hoodwinks a pirate to find the treasure. The pirate who was following X mark ends up fiding treasure and traveling to distance worlds with books. And to think of, aren't all librarians brave, resilient, and carry a light house with them?

Do read it yourself. Do share with the little and big ones in your periphery.

[michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this silly tale Pirate Pete barges into the library to find treasure. The librarian says that she will help him if he goes home, bathes, and comes back the next day. What Pete doesn't realize is that Library Lou is going to teach him to read so that he can come to the ultimate discovery himself - the library books ARE the treasure!

[Court · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, that the kids enjoyed interacting with, especially when Pirate Pete was speaking. Pirate is always fun to speak. The pictures were great, and the story-time kids had fun looking at them, but the story ran a bit long and had a harder time towards the end engaging the kiddos interest.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library Lou stands up to Big Pete the Pirate in some fantastic illustrations and fun story about what real treasure is. It's a bit too long for my preschoolers, but it's so much fun I'll probably just pick a spread or two to skip and read it to them anyway. I think they'll love the concept of a pirate in the library.

[Kevin McNally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Pirates have always been something I love, and readings a passion of mine. This book teaches kids that reading is fun and that something anyone can come to love. Books truly are the greatest treasure a child can find. They open new worlds and expand the mind. Even a salty old pirate can become an avid reader. I give this book five stars.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Big Pete the Pirate stormed into the Seabreezy Library seeking the treasure where X marked the spot, everyone was startled; everyone except Library Lou. Library Lou agreed to help Big Pete find the treasure but only on her terms. This humorous, rhyming tale is about a life long treasure hunt, that even Big Pete learned to enjoy.

[Alissa Gazaryants · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be fun to read aloud to the class especially given the two drastically different main characters of the book. The only thing that I was not really fan of was how lengthy the book was and you kind of get the idea of what the book is trying to convey. Perhaps it was a bit lengthy to allow more character development and relationship building between the pirate and librarian?

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a delightful book that my children truly loved! This humorous tale is told in rhyming verse and the illustrations are just wonderful. Personally I love stories that portray strong and resourceful women. You will see how Library Lou handles a rough and tumble pirate:)

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! Oh, my kids liked it too, with big pirate Pete and Library Lou!!

Tis a vast ocean of meaning and lessons galore, of one's struggle to read and the journey ashore. To find friends books and treasure where there was non before.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: pirate/library lovers; readers wanting a silly book about learning to appreciate reading.

Possible red flags: As a librarian, we would not turn anyone away until they washed, and this bothered me enough to drop it from a 4 star to a 3 star. Yelling/arguments/intimidation.

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pirate heads to a library for help in finding a treasure. He enlists the help of the librarian there, and she helps him clean up and learn to read. A fun book, perfect for lower elementary kids maybe a little too long for younger kids.