How to Be a Pirate

The boys won't let CeCe play pirate, so she runs to her seafaring grandfather to get the lowdown on what it takes to yo-ho-ho. Using his tattoos as visual aids, Grandpa describes all the qualities a great pirate must possess. On one muscular arm is inked a majestic ship; a pirate must be "BRAVE!" he says, and CeCe imagines the cozy kitchen, rendered in muted tones, as a prow barreling through spiral-scrolled, fish-festooned waves. A tattoo of a panther illustrates a pirate's need for speed; CeCe imagines swinging on a jungle vine, "ready to react to danger at any moment." But most important, Grandpa says, is having the confidence that comes from being loved--and he has the heart-shaped tattoo inscribed with "CeCe" to prove it. Fitzgerald (Pen & Ink for adults) and Barrager (Vlad the Rad) hit their closing self-esteem message a little bluntly at the end ("I'm brave! I'm quick! I'm independent, and I'm fun!" CeCe shouts), and the inclusion of a winking Spanish dancer tattoo as emblematic of "fun" strikes an odd note, but the pages are filled with bright colors, soaring spirits, and a timely feminist message. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)

"How to Be a Pirate is fabulous! Surprising, funny, and just lovely." —Jacqueline Woodson, bestselling and award-winning author of THE DAY YOU BEGIN and BROWN GIRL DREAMING

"A beautiful, generous, fun collaboration of story and illustration and pirate tattoos. Seriously wise pirate advice for everyone!" —Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

"This is a bighearted book about stories and storytellers, told with wit, flair, and abundant tenderness." —Mac Barnett, New York Times bestselling author

"[This book] exemplifies what children's literature should be, sweet, emotionally generous, and elegant in what it can teach a child. . . . This book is charming as #$@%." —Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author

"Isaac Fitzgerald could've easily named this, HOW TO REMEMBER HOW AWESOME YOU ARE, because that's what this book is. A reminder that every child-pirate is, in fact, a treasure." —Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of ALL AMERICAN BOYS and LONG WAY DOWN

"In Isaac Fitzgerald's wonderfully empowering story, Cece finds the road map to becoming a pirate in her grandfather's tattoos, while Brigette Barrager's illustrations vibrate with energy and joy. How to Be a Pirate is the perfect primer for swashbuckling, and a happy, self-reliant childhood." —Ann Patchett, bestselling author of COMMONWEALTH and LAMBSLIDE

"Have you ever read a story that made you remember how beautiful the world can be? . . . This is the story our children deserve. This is the story our young selves would've loved to read. Thank goodness for Isaac Fitzgerald, who writes for both the brave adults and the brilliant little ones!" —Mahogany L. Browne, author of BLACK GIRL MAGIC and WOKE BABY

A charismatic story that will delight . . . this is a book readers will want to share with each other. - School Library Connection