Robinson (Peter Sis)

Title:  Robinson

Author:  Peter Sis

Illustrator:  Peter Sis

Target Ages:  4-8

Genre:  Magic Realism

Publisher Summary:

A boy who love adventure.

A mysterious ocean journey.

A remote island wilderness.

Discover what surprises await…

First Lines:

My friends and I love adventure.

We play pirates all the time.   Together, we rule the high seas!

Evaluation: 

The narrative begins with a collage of small, but lively pictures of a group of boys on imaginative pirate adventures.  From the start a bit of fantasy mingles in with the reality.  In some illustrations, the reality is shown (boys dressed as pirates in the tub) while in others their fantasies begin to take over (they are sailing down a river in their own pirate “ship” with their city in the backdrop).  

The illustrations shift to full pages as the main event is announced:  a school costume party.  Peter and his friends are excited to attend dressed as pirates.  However, the party does not last long for Peter.  He flees home to the solace of his room after being teased by his friends. 

The pictures become grand two-page spreads as Peter is carried away into a feverish dreamland—a mingling of his favorite novel (Robinson Crusoe) with his real experience.  In his dream world, he is surviving alone on a remote island.   Through the literary and imaginative occurrence, he transforms into a more competent and courage person in reality.  Sis illustrates the role that literature has on how children see themselves as they read and the vital role books have on character development. 

With only minimal words on each page, the primary narrative is discovered through the lush watercolor illustrations.  As Peter learns to survive on his own, exotic animals and foliage as well as his busy activities illustrate the sights and sounds of his fantasy world. A combination of aerial views and close-up snapshots transport the readers into his grand and intimate journey.  

His dream world slowly morphs back into reality as pirates (his friends) invade his island adventure (his bedroom).  The illustrations reflect this change by shifting back to one page, smaller views of the world.  There is a satisfying ending as his friends apologize for teasing him and ask to learn more about his favorite adventurer (Robinson Crusoe). 

An added charm of the story comes from the author’s note sharing the incident from his childhood that inspired the book. 

Children will empathize with Peter’s experiences playing imaginatively and dealing with teasing.  The fantastic elements elevate the story to a brilliant and engaging read.

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

• Literature:  Read a children’s version of Robinson Crusoe and/or other adventure stories.
• Character Development:  Discuss the importance of accepting individual differences, building strong friendships, and dealing with teasing.
• Art:  Have students create their own fantasy island with a diorama or draw their island on poster board.
• Science:  Discuss animals and plants commonly found on tropical islands. 
• Social Studies:  Learn about basic survival techniques from books, such as The Dangerous Book for Boys or Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival. 

Literary Connections:
Robinson Crusoe and other adventure stories

For more perfect picturebook recommendations, visit Suzanne Leonard Hill's blog.  

Pirate Nap (by Danna Smith)

Summary of Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors (by Danna Smith):

Two energetic and mischievous preschoolers attempt to avoid naptime.  Together, they experience a pirate adventure by imaginatively turning household objects into colorful pirate treasures and objects.  Eventually, their mother successfully corrals them into bed for a nap, but not before they “stash their treasures” and “stow their swords.”   The snappy rhyming text is sure to draw young readers. 

Another clue.  Blow me down!

A treasure chest!  Wooden. BROWN.

Pirate’s luck.  The treasure’s big.

Yo ho ho!  The pirates dig. 

Evaluation:

Author Danna Smith has created a fun rhyming adventure that effectively teaches the early learning concept of color identification while celebrating imaginative play.  The colors words are a natural part of the text.  The object in question is the focal point through brighter colors that contrast with more muted tones, position on the page, and/or the action of the story.  The color name is always bold and in the color in question, ideal for teaching youngsters visual recognition and allowing them to “read” along.   While color identification is taught, it is down in a more subtle way than most concept books.  The focus of the text and illustrations is on childhood play and nap time.

Artist Valeria Petrone does a wonderful job with the accompanying illustrations.  Her animated pictures add to the text rather than just mimic it.  For instance, the text states:  “Hear a scream.  What could it be?  A purple monster from the sea!”  The illustrations show a younger sister (dressed in purple) who has taken the necklace from her siblings and run off. 

Pirate Nap will quickly become a pre-naptime favorite.  I recommend the book for ages 3 months to 4 years old.

Picture Books: Pirate Pete by Kim Kennedy

Kim Kennedy, along with her artistic brother Doug, has created an amusing series of books based on a character named Pirate Pete.   The playful cartoonish illustrations and lively protagonist make this series worth checking out for ages 5-10.  There are currently 3 books in the series.

Pirate Pete  

Pirate Pete loves gold.   He has plundered every ship and shore in the Seven Seas.  Discovering that the Queen has a treasure map, he comes up with a plan to steal it while his trusty parrot sings her to sleep.   Together, they make off with the map and begin their voyage to Mermaid Island in search of the treasure.  Pirate Pete is too easily lured in to other islands along the way.   He is convinced they have gold hidden on them.  For instance, he stops at Sleepy Island, reasoning that where there is sleep, there is the sandman.  Where there is the sandman, there is magic gold dust!  At Clover Island, he hopes to find the leprechaun’s pot of gold.  Each time he is disappointed to find no gold…until he reaches Dragon Island.  He plunders a gigantic golden egg!   Shortly after shoving off, the egg hatches into a fire-breathing dragon that ends up burning down his ship!  He eventually makes it to Mermaid Island, but things do not happen the way he planned.   He ends up marooned on the island with a row boat and his matey, the parrot. 

Pirate Pete’s Giant Adventure  

Pirate Pete’s Giant Adventure picks up where Pirate Pete left off.   The protagonist is sailing the sea in a small row boat.  His only companion is his plucky parrot.    A sea-fairy appears before him to request that he retrieve the Sea-Fairy Sapphire that was stolen.   He has two clues to help him on his quest—follow the sound of thunder and beware for thunder that does not come from clouds.   If he retrieves the special stone, he will receive a wondrous ship.  Throughout his journey, he sings a little song:

When I finds the Sea-Fairy Sapphire,

I’ll get me a ship of wonder.

All I gots to do

Is follow the sound of thunder.

Following the sound of thunder, Pirate Pete easily finds the stone.  Instead of immediately returning it to the sea though, he makes wishes for a map to the world’s greatest treasure and for the world’s mightiest sword.   Wisely, the parrot keeps insisting he return the Sapphire.   During the commotion, the “boom, boom, boom” creeps up on the duo.   It is a giant brute!   Using one of the oldest tricks (a la Briar Rabbit), Pirate Pete convinces the giant that the one thing most dreadful to him is to be thrown into the sea.  The giant finally tosses him out to sea.   Soon realizing he has been tricked, the giant continues to pursue Pirate Pete.  Eventually, the power of the Sapphire helps the pirate win his freedom and his wondrous ship. 

Pirate Pete’s Talk Like a Pirate  

Now that Pirate Pete has a ship, he needs a crew!   He travels to Rascal Island to find the “dirtiest, most mischievous, and sneakiest-looking scallywags and scurvy dogs.”   As a group of bucchoneers tries out to be a member of the crew, they, first, prove themselves by shooting cannon effectively.   Second, they must convince Pirate Pete that they have all the desirable pirate characteristics---dirty, stanky, stubborn, and cranky!   Most of all, they must demonstrate they can talk like a pirate!  Each one fails on the final test.  For instance, one of the recruits responds about his beard:  “It is quite itchy…especially during the summer, when the weather tends to be sultry.”   Pete hollers that if he were really a pirate he would have said:

When the sun’s a-blazin’,

Me beard gets the itches,

Worse than a bucket of sand down me britches!

Each time Pirate Pete corrects the land-loving talk and makes the recruit walk the plank.   Not one is fit to “go a-swashbucklin’ and plunderin’” as far as he is concerned.  When Pirate Pete notices his bird talks just like a pirate, he realizes the plucky parrot is all the crew he needs.  Pirate Pete’s Talk Like a Pirate is a humorous use of language, poetry, and action.  It is the best book in the series. 

Christmas Fiction: Pirates! (Picture Books)

My family was delighted with these unique Christmas stories.  I hope your family enjoys them too!

The Gingerbread Pirates (ages 5-9) by Kristin Kladstrup  

Jim and his mother bake gingerbread men together on Christmas Eve.  They decorate them to look like pirates, including Jim’s favorite Captain Cookie who has a cutlass and a peg leg.  Jim falls asleep with Captain Cookie by his bed while wishing the pirate leader had a ship of his own.  Captain Cookie ventures out to find his crew.  He does battle with a mouse, escaping with his cutlass half missing.   The Captain finds a couple of his crew members sitting out for Santa Claus.  They escape together to rescue the rest of the men from the Santa-shaped cookie jar.  An encounter with Santa and some Christmas magic occurs to give Captiain Cookie and Jim their Christmas wishes.   The narrative and illustrations are energetic, animated, and entertaining. 

A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas (ages 5-11) by Philip Yates  

On Christmas Eve, the pirates are “snorin’ like pigs in thar beds while vision of treasure chests danced in thar heads.”  The stillness of the night is interrupted with the arrival of Sir Peg with his eight giant sea horses pulling his sleigh from the depths of the sea.  He gives out pirate gifts—like cackle-fruit eggs, pieces of shank, and a new shiney plank--to the pirate crew, but he saves the best present for last, a treasure map!   Readers will shout for glee as they see Sir Peg and his sea horses splash back to the sea with a “Merry Christmas, me buckos, an’ a Happy New Yaargghhhhhhh!”  The lively and creative illustrations compliment the poetic narrative.  This imaginative retelling of a beloved Christmas poem is a thrilling pirate fantasy.