Pirate Storytime
Scott Bahlmann
Opening: Shake My Sillies Out – Raffi
Book: Bubble Bath Pirates – Jarrett J. Krosoczka
(Pretty cute, and nice pirate story without being about actual pirates.)
Activity: One-eyed Jake
(A short yet challenging activity.)
I’m One-Eyed Jake, the pirate chief
(cover one eye with hand as if covering eye with a patch)
A terrible, fearsome ocean thief I have a peg upon my leg
(Stand on one leg)
I have a hook and a dirty look
(One arm in the air, curving hand into a hook shape—make exaggerated mean face)
I’m One-Eyed Jake, the pirate chief A terrible, fearsome ocean thief.
(This is a fun one to use cumulatively. Add action after action, until the child is standing balanced on one leg, an eye covered, arm in a hook.)
Book: Once Upon a Tide – Tony Mitton
(This isn't my favorite thing, but it's still pretty good.)
Song: P-O-L-L-Y (see at end)
There was a pirate, had a bird, and Polly was her name, O.
P-O-L-L-Y, P-O-L-L-Y, P-O-L-L-Y and Polly was her name, O.
There was a pirate, had a bird, and Polly was her name, O.
Squawk! -O-L-L-Y, Squawk! -O-L-L-Y, Squawk! -O-L-L-Y and Polly was her name, O.
(continue with the next letter being replaces with a squawk each verse.)
(A simple variant of B-I-N-G-O, I had a parrot puppet to help with the Squawks.)
Book: Tough Boris – Diane fox
(Slightly wordy, but a really sweet story that shows even tough pirates can be sensitive.)
Song: The Pirate Song
from the CD H.U.M. All Year Long by Carole Peterson
(Great simple actions, and includes rhymes and counting.)
Book: Pirate Piggy Wiggy – Diane Fox
(Great large bright images, and simple text.)
Activity: Walk the plank
(I set a shelf board at the front of the storytime area, and the kids walked the 'plank' into a stream of bubbles from our bubble machine. Kids loved it!)