One of my favorite things about creating a new kindergarten or preschool theme is book research. While I definitely have my tried-and-true favorites, it’s always fun to discover new ones we’ve never read before. Here are some children’s books about pirates that are perfect for a swash-buckling theme.
Related: Pirate Sensory Bottle
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Children’s Books About Pirates to Read with the Kids
Some of these books are ones that I absolutely adore reading aloud with kids. Others are new books that I’m looking forward to sharing with my students. Feel free to share the titles of your favorite books about pirates in the comments below.
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
A little boy is at the beach one day, when a pirate ship comes into view. He details his adventures with the pirate crew and how much fun he had. But he starts missing home when he realizes the pirates don’t read bedtime stories or give goodnight kisses. Great illustrations and a ton of pirate fun!
Pirate Pete’s Talk Like a Pirate by Kim Kennedy
Pirate Pete is on the lookout for a crew, and he has a variety of specifications he’s looking for. The most important one, though, is they must talk like a pirate! A funny story told in rhymes. There are a few other books in this series, as well.
Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC by June Sobel
An animal pirate crew, led by an alligator captain, is off to capture every letter of the alphabet. Told in rhyme, this looks to be a fun, silly book to add to my collection.
Pirate from DK Publishing
A non-fiction book about pirates for younger children. There’s information about real-life pirates and pirate myths, along with great photos and illustrations.
Do Pirates Take Baths? by Kathy Tucker
A rhyming book that explores some silly details about a pirate’s life.
Pirate Mom by Deborah Underwood
Pete is really into pirates, but his mom isn’t! When she’s hypnotized into thinking she’s a pirate, lots of trouble occurs! This is an emergent reader sure to entertain your little pirate.
Pirate Princess by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Princess Bea is much more interested in pirate adventures than royal tea parties. She joins a pirate crew and learns that being a pirate isn’t all about adventure.
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup
I just adore this book! It’s set during Christmas-time, but it’s also about pirates — even if they’re made out of gingerbread. A boy’s gingerbread pirates have an adventure Christmas Eve, which culminates in meeting Santa Claus.
Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman
A goofy rhyming book about pirates searching for the Pants of Gold!
Pirates Don’t Change Diapers by Melinda Long
The crew from How I Became a Pirate return looking for their buried treasure. Before they can get locate their map, they have to deal with a baby’s needs! Great illustrations and tons of silliness.
Do you have any favorite kids’ books about pirates? I just love discovering new books, both for me, my son, and my students. Please leave some of your suggestions in the comments below! I’m looking forward to adding to this list.
Related: Pirate Science Fun with Fizzy Treasure Chests
Preschool Pirate Lesson Plans
Save time and get right to the pirate-y fun with done-for-you lesson plans from Preschool Teacher 101. The preschool pirate-themed lesson plans have printable lesson plans for a week, as well as explanations for the activities (for whole group, small group, and center time), book suggestions, and related printables.
Get your pirate lesson plans here
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
Originally published July 2013
This is great! I have pirate costumes for the girls for this Halloween, but (as of yet!) they have no clue what a pirate is. 🙂 Thanks for the great suggestions!
Oh my word, I love that your girls are going to be pirates for Halloween! 🙂 “How I Became a Pirate” is totally my favorite book to introduce it to the kiddos. Let me know what the girls think after you read one of these books to them!
There are so many great book lists out there that it’s hard to think of a new one – but I’ve never seen a pirates list before – looks like so much fun! Pinning!
Thanks Anna, for the comment and the pin! 🙂 We’ve had fun checking out pirate books while getting ready for summer camp.
Thanks so much for sharing this list! My oldest LOVES LOVES LOVES pirates and I can’t wait to get her a couple of these books!
Yay, so glad to hear that Tracey! 🙂 Let me know which books she enjoys!
I love pirate books 🙂 Some of my favourites that did not make your list are Tough Boris by Mem Fox, Grandma and the Pirates and Precious Pearl, both by Phoebe Gilman, and
THe Pirates of Captain McGee by Julie Lawson. Happy reading.
My son loves “I Love My Pirate Papa” – can’t remember the author but the illustrations are super cute. We’ve been reading it every night for weeks.
I love getting new book ideas, Christine! I’m going to check that one out later on today, as I’ve never heard of it! 🙂 Thank you!!
My son’s absolute favourite is “Pirate Vs. Pirate” by Mary Quattlebaum. I look forward to checking out some of these on the list.