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RoxaneAuthor 130 books169k followersFollowFollowDecember 17, 2019Well, this was a real delight. It exemplifies what children’s literature should be, sweet, emotionally generous, and elegant in what it can teach a child. In this story, a young girl wants to learn how to be a pirate even though the boys won’t let her play pirates with them. Her grandpa shows her that she already has all she needs to be a pirate inside herself. This book is charming as fuck. 
Shaye Miller1,236 reviews98 followersFollowFollowFebruary 22, 2021This book was a pleasant surprise for me. It begins with a young girl approaching her Grandpa because the boys said she couldn’t be a pirate. Her Grandpa, complete with vibrant tattoos, tells her the most important characteristics of being a pirate — bravery, quickness, fun, independence, and love. I love that this book overturns more stereotypes than just sexism. ❤️ The artwork was created with pencil, colored pencil, and ink washes composited in Photoshop.For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
Renn934 reviews42 followersFollowFollowOctober 17, 2020Cece wants to be a pirate, but the neighborhood boys say she can’t. Luckily, she knows an expert on the subject—her Grandpa. Using his tattoos, Grandpa teaches Cece the qualities every pirate must have. Cece discovers that she really does have what it takes to be a pirate and fearlessly goes to play with the neighborhood boys. The illustrations in this are really cute. I love the relationship Cece has with her Grandpa. I love how supportive he is of her. 
fulano1,188 reviews78 followersFollowFollowReadApril 25, 2020Nice book about a girl who wants to be a pirate despite what boys tell her, and learning how to be on with the help of her grandpa. Enjoyed LeVar Burton reading this, he makes the experience so much better and I hope to listen to him read more! 
Sacha1,991 reviewsFollowFollowMarch 4, 2020This is SO cute. The only reason this book was on my radar is because of a review from Roxane Gay, whose words I follow religiously on all platforms. I'm not sure I've ever seen her review a picture book, so that novelty, coupled with the glowing review, convinced me to pre-order. I cannot wait to use this in my Children's Lit class this semester and to recommend it to everyone who (1) appreciates picture books or (2) has or knows kids who do. The story is so charming. A little girl wants to be a pirate, a group of boys in a tree house tell her she can't, and then she goes to her personal "pirate," her grandpa (and his super cute dog), who is my favorite part of this work. Grandpa makes his argument using his tattoos, and the story evolves through him showing her each tattoo in the kitchen to the subsequent pages, which demonstrate the two of them reenacting a quality he attaches to the tattoo. By the end, he makes a pretty solid case that is sure to warm hearts. In addition to a great concept, the illustrations - as they should in this genre - absolutely heighten the overall experience. Highly recommended - 
Carol V606 reviews20 followersFollowFollowJuly 13, 2020Really nice book about playing with grandfathers and how this play can teach character, confidence, and worthy values in life. This is a great book for little girls. If a young girl wants to be a pirate, arghhh...so be it!!!
Kellee Moye2,934 reviews339 followersFollowFollowApril 22, 2020Read by Levar Burton on Twitter 4/20/20
Joanne1,992 reviews44 followersFollowFollowAugust 28, 2022This one made me want to get a tattoo. From the author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts and my new BFF. Brilliant use of color that brightens with Cece’s mood. 
Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*6,047 reviews218 followersFollowFollowJuly 8, 2020How to be a Pirate by Isaag Fitzgerald, illustrated by Brigette Barrager. PICTURE BOOK. Bloomsbury (Macmillan), 2020. $18. 9781681197784BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGHCeCe wants to join in on the pretend pirate play, but the boys in the neighborhood tell her she can’t join them. Instead of giving up she consults her grandpa and her grandpa consults his tattoos that show just what a pirate needs to be. His panther tattoos means that a pirate must be quick and his dancer tattoo shows that you must be fun. CeCe decides she is indeed all of those things.Cece and her grandpa are a darling pair - a strong tattooed man in a striped shirt with a gap toothed frustrated girl. I haven’t seen many books that use tattoos to talk about symbolism and I thought it worked quite well. Jen Wecker, HS English Teacherhttps://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Michelle (FabBookReviews)1,053 reviews39 followersFollowFollowMarch 1, 20214.5 starsWhat happens when group of boys- decked out as pirates and aloft in their pirate fort- shout down to a girl named CeCe that she cannot be a pirate? In How to Be a Pirate, author Isaac Fitzgerald and illustrator Brigette Barrager follow (an understandably annoyed and letdown) CeCe as she visits her grandpa about talks about what it takes to become a pirate. CeCe’s grandpa seems to know all about pirates: he has a ship, lots and lot of seaworthy decorations, as well as tattoos that all tell a story. As CeCe lets Grandpa in on what happened with the neighbourhood kids, readers are brought into an awesomely lively and bright dive (or two) as Grandpa shares some of his adventures and traits required of a pirate. Independence, fun, and bravery, along with other key factors, are all part of this fast-paced and fantastically illustrated story starring CeCe and her grandpa (as well as an adorable dog along for some very cool imagined escapades). (Also: the brilliant Roxane Gay has given How to Be a Pirate five out of five stars here on Goodreads if you’re still thinking about it!). I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
Sandy BrehlAuthor 8 books134 followersFollowFollowSeptember 22, 2020This lively story-in-a-story offers many of my favorite elements, including a firm dose of girl-power in the outer frame: CeCe is denied admission to the neighborhood boys' "pirate ship" because girls can't be pirates. Says who? is her reaction, but she seeks some emotional and research support before engaging in that argument. Why wouldn't her grandpa, a retired seaman with tattoos, help her understand what it really takes to be a pirate. In this case each tattoo signals a quality that would serve a pirate well, described through vignettes from Gramp's life on the sea: Be quick, independent, fun, and brave.By the way, this is Grandpa resembling the dad in Franny's Father Is a Feminist- a burly, hulking fella with a heart of comparable dimensions. Considering the magnet draw of pirate stories, this is a winner, and might be paired with SEA QUEENS: Women Pirates Around the World, by Jane Yolen for older readers or as had aloud.
Maryalice447 reviews3 followersFollowFollowReadJanuary 2, 2021On the first endpages, freckle-faced and pigtailed Cece is told she can’t be a pirate. Muted colors reflect her mood as she visits her grandfather who she suspects might know a thing or two about pirates. As it turns out, Grandpa’s tattoos show Cece characteristics of a good pirate. She must be brave, be quick, have fun, be independent, and have love. With each character trait, Cece and Grandpa go on and adventure, and the story becomes more lively and colorful. With a new awareness of what it takes to be what she wants, Cece returns to the boys and their pirate treehouse – now full of confidence that she has exactly what it takes to be a pirate.THOUGHTS: This adventurous story shows children that fitting a role is about more than what one may assume. Breaking down gender stereotypes in an age appropriate way, Fitzgerald’s How to Be a Pirate is sure to be a much loved addition to any elementary library.
Henry238 reviews2 followersFollowFollowJanuary 20, 2022Nous avons lu la version française de l'album, une très belle histoire! On aime - Henry 4 ans Résumé et critiqueManon est furieuse, car des garçons lui refusent l'accès à leur cabane perchée, prétextant qu'une fille ne peut pas être un pirate. La jeune fille décide d'aller rendre visite à son papy, car il a un navire et des tatouages. Le vieil homme va lui apprendre les valeurs essentielles à développer pour devenir un authentique pirate: le courage, l'audace, le sens de l'humour, le sentiment de liberté et l'amour. Grandie par ses qualités, Manon aura l'audace de s'intégrer dans le jeu des garçons, qui n'auront aucun autre choix que de l'accepter joyeusement en suivant son exemple. [SDM]
keirsten chaffee30 reviewsFollowFollowSeptember 22, 2022This fantasy book was very enjoyable & I think children of all ages would love it. I really appreciate the illustrators detail to immersing readers inside Grandpa’s tattoos, to take us deep into a fantasy about what it is to be a pirate. I have never seen a book with illustrations quite like this one- and that’s an amazing thing! I also love that it shows that gender roles are silly & people of all genders can be whoever they want to be! This book is inspirational, but especially for young girls or AFAB kids who are interested in playing the same imaginary games as all the little boys who want to exclude them. The author & illustrator worked very well together to make this book come to life. I felt like I was inside the scenes with Grandpa & CeCe. 
Calista5,435 reviews31.3k followersFollowFollowApril 5, 2025This was a whole lot of fun. I like this spunky girl. A girl wants to play in a treehouse with neighbor boys, but they say she can't be a pirate. She goes to her grandpa and asks him how to be a pirate. This the help from some tattoos, we get a story of how to be a pirate. The book is simply too much fun. I think kids are going to love this one. It's funny and kids love tattoos. The art is ink, colored pencils and photoshop. The art has some real style. Just the houses in the neighborhood are fun. The tattoos are so bright and colorful. I think kids will be charmed by this.
FM Family1,067 reviews13 followersFollowFollowJanuary 19, 2021This was a great and sweet book where our young protagonist goes to her grandfather for advice on being a pirate when those crummy boys won’t let her play. Cool idea bringing his various tattoos to life to explain the traits a pirate needs, and wonderfully illustrated. I liked the somewhat comic elements of the illustration, a few pages with speech bubbles, while the rest have regular picture book text. My 3.5 year old really enjoyed it and slept with it in her bed while we had it out of the library. Great, short story that does exactly what it sets out to do. 
Christie Kaaland1,406 reviews12 followersFollowFollowJuly 17, 2022Memoirist Isaac Fitzgerald shares his take. on all the qualities needed to be a pirate with his Pippi-esque granddaughter who has been turned away from the playing pirate with the neighborhood boys simply because, as they state, "You can't be a pirate." likely, Cece concludes, because she is a girl. Because he has tattoos, she's sure grandpa was a pirate and can teach her how to be one, too. As grandpa rolls up his sleeves revealing each tattoo, one by one, he explains the trait that each represents: brave, quick, fun, independent...and love.
Alex RichardsAuthor 3 books135 followersFollowFollowFebruary 5, 2020I absolutely loved reading How to Be a Pirate aloud to my kids. (And then reading it again and again and again!). Through a conversation young CeCe has with her cool, tattooed grandfather, readers come away with all kinds of affirming ideas about what it means to be brave and independent and fun, and, at the end of the day, doesn't even matter if you are a pirate! You can still be all these things! Loved this book. 
Emily Jones422 reviews1 followerFollowFollowJuly 31, 2021I loved this book! Girls (myself included) sometimes want to be pirates too, so this is a fun book for the girls. Also would be good for boys, too, to show that pirates aren’t just a “boy thing.” The story is simple, but it works. The relationship between CeCe and her grandpa is sweet and fun. Adorable illustrations. I enjoyed looking at all the details on each page — like the mushroom kitchen decor and the cat portrait near the stairwell.
Jared White1,384 reviews36 followersFollowFollowSeptember 21, 2021Cece wants to be a pirate but the boys tell her she can't so she goes to her pirate (or at least sailor) grandpa to ask if she can be a pirate and together, through the use of his tattoos and their imaginations, Cece learns to be pirate.I really enjoyed the added colors and vibrancy of the pages where Cece and her grandad were imagining various things and how the dog tags along in those flights of fancy.
Itzé203 reviews1 followerFollowFollowJanuary 8, 2023This year I want to give more books to my nieces. I’m trying to find books that can speak to their own personalities, give them joy, and lift them up. I had this book for a long time in my WtR list and now got its opportunity. I have to say it was all I was looking for. Showing girls they can be whoever they want to be and they don’t have to leave behind things they believe on. Lovely lecture to have with my girls <3 5 stars!
Beverly3,916 reviews26 followersFollowFollowAugust 2, 2020Possible contender for Mock Caldecott awards. A great book about a little girl who wants to be a pirate like her brother and his friends. She seeks out her grandpa for advice and he teaches her exactly what she needs to know to join in. Wonderful, bright and bold illustrations. The story shows a great relationship between an independent young girl and her loving grandfather. I loved it.
Priscila172 reviewsFollowFollowOctober 28, 2025We enjoyed the story of the little girl and her grandpa showing her how to be a pirate. What I didn't like was the end, nothing explained as to why she is suddenly accepted by the boys, or why she would want to play and be friends with them after they were mean. The illustrations are pretty and colorful.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review
Marni598 reviews44 followersFollowFollowJanuary 26, 2026Learn how to be a pirate (from a pirate??) when Cece is told she can't.The illustrations are lovely, but an especially fun element is how the colors get more vibrant as the story goes. Like Cece is disappointed and her world is dreary, then brightens as she learns how to be a pirate. I haven't seen that done before.
Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance6,484 reviews337 followersFollowFollowAugust 31, 2020Don't tell CeCe she can't be a pirate. CeCe knows what to do. She goes to her grandpa. She's quite certain he knows about pirates. After all, he has lots of tattoos. And he does. He explains all the qualities of a pirate using his tattoos as illustrations.Quite fun.
Janet3,728 reviews37 followersFollowFollowNovember 14, 2020Love the story, it’s a grizzled sailor grandpa imparting lessons of life to his granddaughter using his tattoos as symbols.A just right combination of story and illustrations to teach life tenets without preaching. 
Erin2,718 reviewsFollowFollowApril 10, 2022Cute book with a sweet relationship between Cece and her pirate grandpa. For me, I have not bought into the idea that pirates are warm, fuzzy characters considering all the raping, pillaging, and killing they do in real life. But as a picture book this one is sweet.
Want to ReadRate this bookHow to Be a PirateIsaac Fitzgerald, Brigette Barrager (Illustrator)
4.14Want to ReadRate this bookCeCe dreams of being a pirate. When the neighborhood boys tell her that she can't, she wonders where to begin. Luckily, she suspects her grandpa must know something about being a pirate--why else would he have all those tattoos?As he shares each tattoo, Grandpa and CeCe are transported from adventure to adventure, and CeCe discovers that there are all kinds of ways to be a pirate--Be BRAVE! Be QUICK! Be INDEPENDENT! And FUN!--and most of all, whether you're a pirate or not, the most important thing you can do is to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.- GenresPicture BooksPiratesChildrensStorytimeAdventureFictionFamily ...more
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2020
Book details & editions7 people are currently reading647 people want to readAbout the author
Isaac Fitzgerald
13 books324 followersFollowFollowIsaac Fitzgerald appears frequently on The Today Show and is the author of the bestselling children’s book How to Be a Pirate as well as the co-author of Pen & Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them and Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos (winner of an IACP Award). His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, The Boston Globe and numerous other publications. His debut memoir, Dirtbag, Massachusetts, is forthcoming in July, 2022. He lives in Brooklyn.Ratings & Reviews
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4.145 stars144 (38%)4 stars148 (40%)3 stars66 (17%)2 stars11 (2%)1 star1 (<1%)Search review textFiltersEnglishDisplaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviewsRoxaneAuthor 130 books169k followersFollowFollowDecember 17, 2019Well, this was a real delight. It exemplifies what children’s literature should be, sweet, emotionally generous, and elegant in what it can teach a child. In this story, a young girl wants to learn how to be a pirate even though the boys won’t let her play pirates with them. Her grandpa shows her that she already has all she needs to be a pirate inside herself. This book is charming as fuck. Shaye Miller1,236 reviews98 followersFollowFollowFebruary 22, 2021This book was a pleasant surprise for me. It begins with a young girl approaching her Grandpa because the boys said she couldn’t be a pirate. Her Grandpa, complete with vibrant tattoos, tells her the most important characteristics of being a pirate — bravery, quickness, fun, independence, and love. I love that this book overturns more stereotypes than just sexism. ❤️ The artwork was created with pencil, colored pencil, and ink washes composited in Photoshop.For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!- picture-book
Renn934 reviews42 followersFollowFollowOctober 17, 2020Cece wants to be a pirate, but the neighborhood boys say she can’t. Luckily, she knows an expert on the subject—her Grandpa. Using his tattoos, Grandpa teaches Cece the qualities every pirate must have. Cece discovers that she really does have what it takes to be a pirate and fearlessly goes to play with the neighborhood boys. The illustrations in this are really cute. I love the relationship Cece has with her Grandpa. I love how supportive he is of her. - feministpicture-books
fulano1,188 reviews78 followersFollowFollowReadApril 25, 2020Nice book about a girl who wants to be a pirate despite what boys tell her, and learning how to be on with the help of her grandpa. Enjoyed LeVar Burton reading this, he makes the experience so much better and I hope to listen to him read more! - illustrated-book
Sacha1,991 reviewsFollowFollowMarch 4, 2020This is SO cute. The only reason this book was on my radar is because of a review from Roxane Gay, whose words I follow religiously on all platforms. I'm not sure I've ever seen her review a picture book, so that novelty, coupled with the glowing review, convinced me to pre-order. I cannot wait to use this in my Children's Lit class this semester and to recommend it to everyone who (1) appreciates picture books or (2) has or knows kids who do. The story is so charming. A little girl wants to be a pirate, a group of boys in a tree house tell her she can't, and then she goes to her personal "pirate," her grandpa (and his super cute dog), who is my favorite part of this work. Grandpa makes his argument using his tattoos, and the story evolves through him showing her each tattoo in the kitchen to the subsequent pages, which demonstrate the two of them reenacting a quality he attaches to the tattoo. By the end, he makes a pretty solid case that is sure to warm hearts. In addition to a great concept, the illustrations - as they should in this genre - absolutely heighten the overall experience. Highly recommended - Carol V606 reviews20 followersFollowFollowJuly 13, 2020Really nice book about playing with grandfathers and how this play can teach character, confidence, and worthy values in life. This is a great book for little girls. If a young girl wants to be a pirate, arghhh...so be it!!!- 2021-caldecott-hopefulschildren-s-literature-a
Kellee Moye2,934 reviews339 followersFollowFollowApril 22, 2020Read by Levar Burton on Twitter 4/20/20- picture-book-or-board-bookread-to-trenttrent-6-7-years
Joanne1,992 reviews44 followersFollowFollowAugust 28, 2022This one made me want to get a tattoo. From the author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts and my new BFF. Brilliant use of color that brightens with Cece’s mood. Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*6,047 reviews218 followersFollowFollowJuly 8, 2020How to be a Pirate by Isaag Fitzgerald, illustrated by Brigette Barrager. PICTURE BOOK. Bloomsbury (Macmillan), 2020. $18. 9781681197784BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGHCeCe wants to join in on the pretend pirate play, but the boys in the neighborhood tell her she can’t join them. Instead of giving up she consults her grandpa and her grandpa consults his tattoos that show just what a pirate needs to be. His panther tattoos means that a pirate must be quick and his dancer tattoo shows that you must be fun. CeCe decides she is indeed all of those things.Cece and her grandpa are a darling pair - a strong tattooed man in a striped shirt with a gap toothed frustrated girl. I haven’t seen many books that use tattoos to talk about symbolism and I thought it worked quite well. Jen Wecker, HS English Teacherhttps://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...- advisableelementary-lowerpicture-book
Michelle (FabBookReviews)1,053 reviews39 followersFollowFollowMarch 1, 20214.5 starsWhat happens when group of boys- decked out as pirates and aloft in their pirate fort- shout down to a girl named CeCe that she cannot be a pirate? In How to Be a Pirate, author Isaac Fitzgerald and illustrator Brigette Barrager follow (an understandably annoyed and letdown) CeCe as she visits her grandpa about talks about what it takes to become a pirate. CeCe’s grandpa seems to know all about pirates: he has a ship, lots and lot of seaworthy decorations, as well as tattoos that all tell a story. As CeCe lets Grandpa in on what happened with the neighbourhood kids, readers are brought into an awesomely lively and bright dive (or two) as Grandpa shares some of his adventures and traits required of a pirate. Independence, fun, and bravery, along with other key factors, are all part of this fast-paced and fantastically illustrated story starring CeCe and her grandpa (as well as an adorable dog along for some very cool imagined escapades). (Also: the brilliant Roxane Gay has given How to Be a Pirate five out of five stars here on Goodreads if you’re still thinking about it!). I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.- arcs-or-giftedraincoast-books
Sandy BrehlAuthor 8 books134 followersFollowFollowSeptember 22, 2020This lively story-in-a-story offers many of my favorite elements, including a firm dose of girl-power in the outer frame: CeCe is denied admission to the neighborhood boys' "pirate ship" because girls can't be pirates. Says who? is her reaction, but she seeks some emotional and research support before engaging in that argument. Why wouldn't her grandpa, a retired seaman with tattoos, help her understand what it really takes to be a pirate. In this case each tattoo signals a quality that would serve a pirate well, described through vignettes from Gramp's life on the sea: Be quick, independent, fun, and brave.By the way, this is Grandpa resembling the dad in Franny's Father Is a Feminist- a burly, hulking fella with a heart of comparable dimensions. Considering the magnet draw of pirate stories, this is a winner, and might be paired with SEA QUEENS: Women Pirates Around the World, by Jane Yolen for older readers or as had aloud.- adventureconceptsexcpressions-emotions ...more
Maryalice447 reviews3 followersFollowFollowReadJanuary 2, 2021On the first endpages, freckle-faced and pigtailed Cece is told she can’t be a pirate. Muted colors reflect her mood as she visits her grandfather who she suspects might know a thing or two about pirates. As it turns out, Grandpa’s tattoos show Cece characteristics of a good pirate. She must be brave, be quick, have fun, be independent, and have love. With each character trait, Cece and Grandpa go on and adventure, and the story becomes more lively and colorful. With a new awareness of what it takes to be what she wants, Cece returns to the boys and their pirate treehouse – now full of confidence that she has exactly what it takes to be a pirate.THOUGHTS: This adventurous story shows children that fitting a role is about more than what one may assume. Breaking down gender stereotypes in an age appropriate way, Fitzgerald’s How to Be a Pirate is sure to be a much loved addition to any elementary library.Henry238 reviews2 followersFollowFollowJanuary 20, 2022Nous avons lu la version française de l'album, une très belle histoire! On aime - Henry 4 ans Résumé et critiqueManon est furieuse, car des garçons lui refusent l'accès à leur cabane perchée, prétextant qu'une fille ne peut pas être un pirate. La jeune fille décide d'aller rendre visite à son papy, car il a un navire et des tatouages. Le vieil homme va lui apprendre les valeurs essentielles à développer pour devenir un authentique pirate: le courage, l'audace, le sens de l'humour, le sentiment de liberté et l'amour. Grandie par ses qualités, Manon aura l'audace de s'intégrer dans le jeu des garçons, qui n'auront aucun autre choix que de l'accepter joyeusement en suivant son exemple. [SDM]keirsten chaffee30 reviewsFollowFollowSeptember 22, 2022This fantasy book was very enjoyable & I think children of all ages would love it. I really appreciate the illustrators detail to immersing readers inside Grandpa’s tattoos, to take us deep into a fantasy about what it is to be a pirate. I have never seen a book with illustrations quite like this one- and that’s an amazing thing! I also love that it shows that gender roles are silly & people of all genders can be whoever they want to be! This book is inspirational, but especially for young girls or AFAB kids who are interested in playing the same imaginary games as all the little boys who want to exclude them. The author & illustrator worked very well together to make this book come to life. I felt like I was inside the scenes with Grandpa & CeCe. Calista5,435 reviews31.3k followersFollowFollowApril 5, 2025This was a whole lot of fun. I like this spunky girl. A girl wants to play in a treehouse with neighbor boys, but they say she can't be a pirate. She goes to her grandpa and asks him how to be a pirate. This the help from some tattoos, we get a story of how to be a pirate. The book is simply too much fun. I think kids are going to love this one. It's funny and kids love tattoos. The art is ink, colored pencils and photoshop. The art has some real style. Just the houses in the neighborhood are fun. The tattoos are so bright and colorful. I think kids will be charmed by this.- 2020bage-childrengenre-beginner ...more
FM Family1,067 reviews13 followersFollowFollowJanuary 19, 2021This was a great and sweet book where our young protagonist goes to her grandfather for advice on being a pirate when those crummy boys won’t let her play. Cool idea bringing his various tattoos to life to explain the traits a pirate needs, and wonderfully illustrated. I liked the somewhat comic elements of the illustration, a few pages with speech bubbles, while the rest have regular picture book text. My 3.5 year old really enjoyed it and slept with it in her bed while we had it out of the library. Great, short story that does exactly what it sets out to do. - being-shy-scared-bravedialogue-talking-booksexploration ...more
Christie Kaaland1,406 reviews12 followersFollowFollowJuly 17, 2022Memoirist Isaac Fitzgerald shares his take. on all the qualities needed to be a pirate with his Pippi-esque granddaughter who has been turned away from the playing pirate with the neighborhood boys simply because, as they state, "You can't be a pirate." likely, Cece concludes, because she is a girl. Because he has tattoos, she's sure grandpa was a pirate and can teach her how to be one, too. As grandpa rolls up his sleeves revealing each tattoo, one by one, he explains the trait that each represents: brave, quick, fun, independent...and love.Alex RichardsAuthor 3 books135 followersFollowFollowFebruary 5, 2020I absolutely loved reading How to Be a Pirate aloud to my kids. (And then reading it again and again and again!). Through a conversation young CeCe has with her cool, tattooed grandfather, readers come away with all kinds of affirming ideas about what it means to be brave and independent and fun, and, at the end of the day, doesn't even matter if you are a pirate! You can still be all these things! Loved this book. Emily Jones422 reviews1 followerFollowFollowJuly 31, 2021I loved this book! Girls (myself included) sometimes want to be pirates too, so this is a fun book for the girls. Also would be good for boys, too, to show that pirates aren’t just a “boy thing.” The story is simple, but it works. The relationship between CeCe and her grandpa is sweet and fun. Adorable illustrations. I enjoyed looking at all the details on each page — like the mushroom kitchen decor and the cat portrait near the stairwell.- children-s-books
Jared White1,384 reviews36 followersFollowFollowSeptember 21, 2021Cece wants to be a pirate but the boys tell her she can't so she goes to her pirate (or at least sailor) grandpa to ask if she can be a pirate and together, through the use of his tattoos and their imaginations, Cece learns to be pirate.I really enjoyed the added colors and vibrancy of the pages where Cece and her grandad were imagining various things and how the dog tags along in those flights of fancy.- challenging-gender-stereotypeschildren-s-bookscross-generational-sharing ...more
Itzé203 reviews1 followerFollowFollowJanuary 8, 2023This year I want to give more books to my nieces. I’m trying to find books that can speak to their own personalities, give them joy, and lift them up. I had this book for a long time in my WtR list and now got its opportunity. I have to say it was all I was looking for. Showing girls they can be whoever they want to be and they don’t have to leave behind things they believe on. Lovely lecture to have with my girls <3 5 stars!- nieces
Beverly3,916 reviews26 followersFollowFollowAugust 2, 2020Possible contender for Mock Caldecott awards. A great book about a little girl who wants to be a pirate like her brother and his friends. She seeks out her grandpa for advice and he teaches her exactly what she needs to know to join in. Wonderful, bright and bold illustrations. The story shows a great relationship between an independent young girl and her loving grandfather. I loved it.- 2020august-book-count
Priscila172 reviewsFollowFollowOctober 28, 2025We enjoyed the story of the little girl and her grandpa showing her how to be a pirate. What I didn't like was the end, nothing explained as to why she is suddenly accepted by the boys, or why she would want to play and be friends with them after they were mean. The illustrations are pretty and colorful.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewMarni598 reviews44 followersFollowFollowJanuary 26, 2026Learn how to be a pirate (from a pirate??) when Cece is told she can't.The illustrations are lovely, but an especially fun element is how the colors get more vibrant as the story goes. Like Cece is disappointed and her world is dreary, then brightens as she learns how to be a pirate. I haven't seen that done before.- 2026art
Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance6,484 reviews337 followersFollowFollowAugust 31, 2020Don't tell CeCe she can't be a pirate. CeCe knows what to do. She goes to her grandpa. She's quite certain he knows about pirates. After all, he has lots of tattoos. And he does. He explains all the qualities of a pirate using his tattoos as illustrations.Quite fun.- adventurejust-for-funpicture-book ...more
Janet3,728 reviews37 followersFollowFollowNovember 14, 2020Love the story, it’s a grizzled sailor grandpa imparting lessons of life to his granddaughter using his tattoos as symbols.A just right combination of story and illustrations to teach life tenets without preaching. - all-time-favoritespicture-booksread2020-picbk
Erin2,718 reviewsFollowFollowApril 10, 2022Cute book with a sweet relationship between Cece and her pirate grandpa. For me, I have not bought into the idea that pirates are warm, fuzzy characters considering all the raping, pillaging, and killing they do in real life. But as a picture book this one is sweet.- 2022-picture-books
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How To Be A Pirate Captain! ☠️ - YouTube
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How To Be A Pirate: Fitzgerald, Isaac, Barrager, Brigette
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How To Be A Pirate: Malam, John, Bergin, Mark - Books
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How To Act Like A Pirate (with Pictures) - WikiHow Fun
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Skills Required For Being A Successful Pirate - Blog
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How To Be A Pirate - Australian National Maritime Museum
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How To Be A Pirate | How To Train Your Dragon Wiki - Fandom
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How Does One Become A Pirate? - Quora
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How To Be A Pirate By Sue Fliess - Penguin Random House
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How To Be A Pirate - Publishers Weekly
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How To Talk Like A Pirate: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow
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Book Reviews For How To Be A Pirate: Book 2 By Cressida Cowell
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How To Be A Pirate: : Isaac Fitzgerald - Bloomsbury Publishing
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How To Be A Pirate | The New York Public Library Shop