Pajama Press

“Best Pirate is a rollicking good tale that takes readers across the seas and to a mysterious island to find a fabled treasure. And while it is a tale of young pirate Augusta’s bravery and daring, it is also one of quick thinking and unexpected kindness….

Detailed, full color illustrations bring the story to life and immerse readers into the various lush settings….Young readers will love the fast-paced story, the beautiful pictures, and the read-aloud fun of the pirate dialect.”

Click here to read the full review

“Cat person or dog person? Choose your side and hang on for the ride as the Tuna Lubbers and the Frilly Dogs race to find the booty in Best Pirate….When [Augusta Garrick] comes face to face with a pirate kitty, she learns that working together—even if it involves an arch-enemy—is the best way out of a jam and sharing makes us all richer. The richly colored illustrations, dramatic expressions of the characters, and dialogue written on scrolls pull readers into the pirate drama.”

Click here to read the full review

“[5 stars]…Best Pirate is a wonderful, amusing tale that shows sometimes it takes smarts, rather than fighting, to get out of a sticky situation. And sometimes an enemy may really be a friend…if you’re willing to work together. The story is beautifully illustrated with expressive characters that capture the imagination of those reading or listening to this pirate tale. To get readers and listeners into a proper frame of mind for the story, the inside front cover features examples of Pirate Talk and the inside back cover has Nautical Talk, as well as a diagram showing the parts of a ship. This is the third tale featuring Augusta Barnacle and it’s the best one yet!”

Click here to read the full review

“Kari-Lynn Winters follows the format of the first two pirate books, with playful, pirate language scattered throughout the story and with much of the dynamic text appearing on floating pieces of sail….And the end pages once again feature a glossary of pirate lingo and nautical talk….The buoyant text is mirrored in the dazzling artwork by Dean Griffiths. The wildly colourful and detailed drawings are expressive, action-packed and filled with humour. Griffiths’ charming illustrations have depth and pull the reader right into the story.

Using these three imaginative titles produced by this talented duo, an enterprising teacher could treat her students to a fun, pirate-themed unit. The fact that each title features an important lesson or moral, with a refreshing heroine, should make this idea even more motivating.

Highly Recommended.”
—Reesa Cohen

Click here to read the full review

“This is the [third] book about Augusta Garrick, a gentle, helpful pirate who has proven her worth among the more traditional pirate pups….The illustrations are beautiful in the book…”

Click here to read the full review

“A pirate lassie decides merely going from a Bad Pirate (2015) to a Good Pirate (2016) isn’t enough….Following the format she set forth in the book’s two predecessors, Winters once again fills her text with piratical lingo while highlighting three adjectives (in this case, ‘crafty,’ ‘nimble,’ and ‘fearless’), allowing her heroine to embody them in her own way. Augusta is proactive, takes charge, and even has a thing or two to say about generosity when the moment is right. Griffiths’ illustrations are in fine form here, by turns beautiful in their evocative backgrounds while also displaying an array of impressively expressive kits and pups. Best be filling yer ditty bag with more of this sort—Tuna Lubbers and Frilly Dogs ahoy!”

Click here to read the full review

“Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4…

The illustrations are fabulous, full of color, realistic, expressive – and cute….

To whom would you recommend this book? This would be a fun addition to a pirate-themed storytime.

Who should buy this book? Public and lower elementary school libraries and day-care centers”
—Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review

Click here to read the full review

“There is lots of lovely pirate language, and the end papers help define a lot of these for enchanted readers. The illustrations are wonderful, showing emotions and lovely details. The dogs are a variety of breeds, easily identifiable, and the cats range in type while still being entirely cats. And I love that the story shows how working together pays off.

Both author and illustrator are Canadian and known internationally for their great work. I’d already read and loved Kari-Lynn’s Hungry for Math poetry book, and loved Dean’s illustrations in the children’s novel The Stowaways. It’s great to see them come together in this series.”

Click here to read the full review

“At some stage in their lives daughters can become in­dependent, uppity and seemingly too savvy for their own good. But if this willful daughter is an appealing Springer Spaniel named Augusta aboard a pirate ship full of other dogs with her father as captain, things will happen that will ‘shiver your timbers.’…

Meet the foul-mouthed Captain Barnacle Garrick, his irresistible daughter, and a motley crew of sea dogs as they capture loot or survive a storm at sea. Depending on the circumstances Capt. Barnacle demands that the crew, includ­ing his daughter, be Rotten, Sneaky and Brainy in the Good Pirate book and Saucy, Bold and Selfish in The Bad Pirate book. How these commands are obeyed is illustrated in some of the most captivating seafaring dog drawings and captain-fearing adventures. You will be intrigued by the bombastic captain with his menacing hook, his free-spirited daughter who loves vanilla as a perfume, and the life of the pirate dogs….”

Read the full review on page 28 of the March 2017 issue of the Vermont Country Sampler

“What did you like about the book? Written in the jargon and accent of a true pirate, this book is a great read aloud book that will keep young children entertained. The illustrations are large and colorful so children hearing this book at a story hour in a library will be able to see the pictures with no problem.…

To Whom Would You Recommend this book? This is recommended for ages 5-8. Children who love pirates and have read the “Good Pirate” book will love this book.

Who should buy this book? This would be good for elementary school libraries and public libraries that have a children’s section….

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  Yes”
—Sandra Pacheco, ESL teacher, Washington, D.C.

Click here to read the full review