The Ballad of the Pirate Queens
by Jane Yolen
illustrated by David Shannon
This pirate picture book tells the story of Anne Bonney and Mary Reade, women pirates who sailed with Calico Jack on the pirate ship "Vanity." I was intrigued by this story, realizing that I have never heard or read a book about women pirates. I was mildly bothered that they were captured in the end, and used their pregnancies to escape death. However, when I read the author's note and learned that this was actually a true story, my criticisms ceased.
Again, Jane Yolen shares her knack for poetry and verse in this story. As I read the words, I could "hear" a pirates voice in my head. I would definitely want to work on my pirate accent before doing this as a read aloud with students!
The illustrations in this story capture the essence of pirates and ships. The dark, eerie images definitely set the mood for the story.
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