Book Review: 'A Pirate's Night Before Christmas' by Philip Yates

✰✰✰✰✰ On the night before Christmas aboard the pirate ship, the Black Sark, all is quiet. With the stockin's stuck to the bowsprit and visions of treasure chests dancing in thar heads, Sir Peggedy is bound to visit the buccaneers. When suddenly thar arose such a racket and eight giant sea horses and a sleigh with Sir Peggedy flew up from the sea. He said not a word and went straight to his work stuffing stockin's with presents only a pirate could love. There's holiday cheer for every good buccaneer except one. Just when it looks like one little pirate is left out, a simple piece of parchment floats down to the deck. What could it be? Will it save Christmas Day? Check out this seaworthy tale to find out why even pirates look forward to Christmas and a visit from Sir Peggedy. 

The Bottom Line: This is a fun parody of Clement C. Moore's classic poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas. The poem is filled with pirate lingo. A pirate glossary is included at the end for those unfamiliar with typical pirate talk. Serra's digitally colored illustrations are fun and engaging. Highly recommended holiday reading for little buccaneers and seadogs in grades Pre-K - 2, especially those interested in pirates and the sea. This would also be fun for story hour at school or the library. Kids will love learning to speak Pirate.

Details: A Pirate's Night Before Christmas written by Philip Yates & illustrated by Sebastià Serra.  Picture book hardcover published by Sterling in 2008. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4027-4257-6