Thematic Lists

Imagine if you could travel back in time and walk the streets of the past. Where would you go first? Incredible History turns back time to reveal realistic reconstructions of the most incredible locations and exciting moments in history. You'll feel the roar of the crowd in the Roman Colosseum, walk the ramparts of the Great Wall of China, and ride the first railways. Each story begins with an archaeological site or artifact. You'll learn when and how it was discovered, and what it teaches us about how the people who lived at the site might have spent their days. Then, you'll see the location recreated in jaw-dropping 3D detail. Using archaeological evidence, the people and places of the past will be brought back to life before your very eyes. With each page packed with fantastic facts and extraordinary pictures, Incredible History brings together the best parts of history and archaeology to recreate the entire history of the world.
Includes a section about Pirate Ships

The exciting true story of the captaincy, wreck, and discovery of the Whydah -- the only pirate ship ever found -- and the incredible mysteries it revealed. The 1650s to the 1730s marked the golden age of piracy, when fearsome pirates like Blackbeard ruled the waves, seeking not only treasure but also large and fast ships to carry it. The Whydah was just such a ship, built to ply the Triangular Trade route, which it did until one of the greediest pirates of all, Black Sam Bellamy, commandeered it. Filling the ship to capacity with treasure, Bellamy hoped to retire with his bounty -- but in 1717 the ship sank in a storm off Cape Cod. For more than two hundred years, the wreck of the Whydah (and the riches that went down with it) eluded treasure seekers, until the ship was finally found in 1984 by marine archaeologists. The artifacts brought up from the ocean floor are priceless, both in value and in the picture they reveal of life in that much-mythologized era, changing much of what we know about pirates.

Every kid knows that pirates talk funny, swing a big sword, and seek buried treasure--don't they? What do we really know about Blackbeard, Madame Cheng, Sir Francis Drake, and other men and women of pirate history? What drove them to sail the high seas? What were their bad habits, favorite foods, and silly quirks? And did they actually talk like that? A lively style, lots of surprises, and solid research have made the Lives of . . . series of collective biographies popular with both kids and adults. Now the series returns, spanning the globe with profiles of the nineteen most notorious pirates in history.

Pirates and Smugglers is a swashbuckling introduction to the highwaymen and women of the seas -- from the cruel Cilician pirates who terrorized the Mediterranean more than 2,000 years ago to the well-organized and ruthless modern-day buccaneers who target supertankers on the South China Sea -- and the loot they plunder and smuggle.

Discover such great pirates as Artemisia, the Admiral Queen of Persia who sailed the seas from 500 to 480 BC. At one point there was a 10,000 drachma prize for anyone who could capture her. There was Rachel Wall, who ran away from her strict upbringing and became a murderous pirate terrorizing the waters of the Atlantic coastline of America. She was hanged for her deeds. Possibly the most famous woman pirate of all was Grania O'Malley, daughter of an Irish chieftain. She plagued the English and was arrested several times, always gaining her freedom to pirate some more. Meet ten other female pirates on their ships, in battle, and in disguise in this intriguing look at the wayward women of the waves.

A collection of true pirate tales from the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, revealing the pirates' tools, ships, and special talents

Read about piracy through the ages, from the Caribbean to the South China Seas. Learn about pirate ships, flags, and daily life for the crew. What exactly was pirate treasure? What happened to pirates who were caught? Who are the most famous pirates? Are there any pirates around today? It's all here--and much, much more.

"You know all about pirates. They were big guys with fancy hats, silk jackets, peg legs, and parrots cursing on their shoulders. They sailed big ships with brass guns and made lubbers walk the plank... right? Wrong.... " Pirates and piracy, buried treasure, and life on the high seas are brought to life in this colorful, appealing book. Jan Adkin's talent for combining words, illustration, and design is uniquely well-suited to the world of Pirates: ships and seafaring, maps, weapons, larger than life characters and larger than life stories are vividly presented in Jan's signature, design-driven style. This large format, full color picture book presents pirate history and pirate lore, pirate ships and equipment, and pirate life.

Stunning artwork depicts the lives and daredevil raids of famous pirates such as Blackbeard, Madame Cheng, and Captain Kidd, while clever cutaways and authoritative text reveal the day-to-day life on board their ships. The Best Book of Pirates by Barnaby Howard is the perfect book for young swashbucklers!

At last the ultimate book of pirates is here! Inside is the stuff of legend, where tales of adventure and intrigue are written in blood. Read about Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Learn about walking the plank and buried treasure. Discover what was like aboard a pirate ship -- from a pirate's strict code of conduct to the punishments that awaited those that broke them. All the intrigue, adventure, and grizzly details are brought to life in this lavish hardcover package jam packed with fact and fiction, pirate lore, and amazing memorabilia, including: a booklet of pirate slang, a genuine advertisement to recruit pirates, a booklet of pirate biographies, a letter from William the III to Captain Kidd a pullout featuring pirate weapons, a treasure map, a wanted poster for Blackbeard, sample playing cards, as well as flaps and fold outs galore!

Ahoy, ye landlubbers! Captain Kid has lots of advice for would-be pirates, from pirate names to what to wear to how to run a tight ship and manage a crew of bloodthirsty buccaneers! This simple seven-day plan helps the reader become a real pirate and then celebrate by throwing a fantastic pirate party. Step-by-step craft projects, such as making a treasure chest, cutlass, and a porthole sign for a bedroom door, are easy for budding pirates to follow and use only ordinary household materials. Best of all, this irresistible book comes with a pocket packed full of must-have accessories, including a pirate hat, an eye patch, a pirate poster, and pirate stickers. This is the perfect present for any little pirate who dreams of life on the high seas.

Glamorous, swashbuckling, daring adventurers? Pirates have had good publicity for a long time. But they were really a bunch of misfits, thugs, and ne'er-do-wells who spent most of their time bored, waiting for a few moments of excitement and rich booty that could very well get them wounded or killed, or captured and executed. Still, a pirate's life was chosen by many, and this poetry collection describes the highs and lows and everything in between for those who swore the oath of the Brotherhood.

This selection of popular Mother Goose rhymes is given a delightful pirate makeover! What happens when the cat gives a mate his fiddle? The cabin boy dances a jig and the scalawags waltz in the brig! And Pretty Polly Pirate flies through the town squawking through the locks "are the children safe in bed? There be pirates at the docks!" From Rock-a-By, Pirate to Rub-a-Dub-Dub (three swabs in a tub), this collection is sure to inspire the poetic pirate in everyone!

Quebrado has been traded from pirate ship to ship in the Caribbean Sea for as long as he can remember. The sailors he toils under call him el quebrado--half islander, half outsider, a broken one. Now the pirate captain Bernardino de Talavera uses Quebrado as a translator to help navigate the worlds and words between his mother's Taíno Indian language and his father's Spanish. But when a hurricane sinks the ship and most of its crew, it is Quebrado who escapes to safety. He learns how to live on land again, among people who treat him well. And it is he who must decide the fate of his former captors.

Two women who sailed with Calico Jack Rackham and his pirates in the early 1700s do their best to defend their ship while the men on board are busy drinking.

In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas. The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive--including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well--accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn's one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers. Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands--no matter the cost.

Gutsy girls and strong women make up the diverse and appealing crew of a pirate ship that battles intrigue and deadly monsters in an action-filled fantasy adventure. Lintang is an island girl who longs for daring and danger. When she meets the feared pirate Captain Shafira and her all-female crew, Lintang is determined to join them. Secrets within secrets, life-or-death battles with spectacular monsters, and hair's breadth escapes keep readers turning the pages of a story populated by women of color who are fighters, adventurers, and leaders.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map--the key to a legendary treasure trove--seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

A fun and clever picture book retelling of Goldilocks--with pirates! Once upon a seaworthy sloop lived three pirates: the big, pilfering Papa, the medium-sized, menacing Mama, and the small, bonny Baby, a pirate-in-training. They were excellent pirates, but not very good housekeepers, so their gruel wasn't tasty, their stools weren't sturdy, and their hammocks weren't hung properly. Luckily for them, Goldenlocks happened along when they were out for a row in the harbor.

An old ship. A sad friend. A button . . . An idea. Let's SWAP! In a young scalawag's first tale of bartering, a peg-legged youngster sets out to help his captain repair his vessel. One button for three teacups. SWAP! Two teacups for four coils of rope. SWAP! And so it goes, until the little swashbuckler secures sails, anchors, a ship's wheel, and more . . . including a happy friend.

At Seabreezy Library, things were just right. / Booklovers were cozy. The sky was blue-bright / when--Shiver me timbers!--through Seabreezy's door / stormed big Pirate Pete and his parrot, Igor! Argh!! Things are looking--and smelling!!--a little fishy at Seabreezy Library. When the big X on Pirate Pete's treasure map leads him and his parrot-sidekick Igor to believe buried treasure is hidden at the library, the patrons are quaking in their shoes. But never fear! Library Lou, Seabreezy's librarian-extraordinaire, is as cool as a cucumber and knows how to handle an irate pirate or two. She knows exactly where the treasure is buried. But first she needs to help Pirate Pete and Igor get a handle on their hygiene, brush up on library etiquette, and then tackle learning their letters. And that will lead them to the treasure that can always be found at the library.

Arrrgh you ready for this jaunty collection of pirate poems and paintings? Ahoy mateys--it's time to hoist up the anchors and set sail with a pack of pesky pirates! In this hilarious collection of nineteen poems, readers will meet scoundrels, scalawags, and scurvy dogs (human and canine). They'll partake in battles, treasure hunts, and some pirate-style grub (flounder, anyone?).

Hoist the Jolly Robin! Fly with a swashbuckling crew as they soar through the air -- and evade danger on the ground -- in search of treasure and lofty adventure. Captain Blue Jay, notorious and feared pirate of the skies, has a fondness for collecting treasure, especially eggs. Unfortunately, sometimes his treasure hatches, and this time the hatchling is the strangest one the Grosbeak has ever seen. No sailor is certain whether the chick is a young god or just an oversized bird who needs too much food, but one thing is clear: the winds over Thrushland are shifting, and dramatic changes are in store for all. Whether outwitting a gang of thieving crows, outrunning murderous fishers and weasels, or rallying Briarloch's beleaguered sparrows, this motley crew must do all they can to stay together and stay alive. And that's just the tip of the bird's feather! Offering a bounty of illustrations and a host of memorable characters -- from an endearing star-nosed mole to an unlikely little warrior with a vendetta -- here is a treasure for anyone who has ever wanted to take to the skies and see where fortune blows.

In this swashbuckling tale, Mustache Baby and Beard Baby work hard to recover stolen treasure and convince baby buccaneers Captain Kid and Short John Silver to go legit. But when the scallywags refuse to play nice, Billy and Javier see red and go rogue, turning into bad guy pirates themselves. High spirits, plenty of pirate talk, and a mild message about not letting emotions get the best of you make for a rollicking read-aloud full of side-splitting, silly fun.

What better place for naptime than a grand pirate ship on the high seas?Two boys use their imaginations to turn everyday objects, from a white bandanna to yellow coins to a red blanket, into colorful pirate treasure as they prepare for naptime. With a bouncy rhymed text and fun illustrations, this charming book teaches little ones their colors while making a great read-aloud. Even the youngest readers and listeners will want to be a part of the fun as they get ready to sail off to sleep!

As soon as the Moody family drops anchor on "Artichoke" Island, they are greeted by Cap'n Weevil, a one-eyed buccaneer with a scraggly beard and a secret treasure map. Before you can say "Davy Jones's Locker," Stink and Judy are racing across the island in search of gold. But--shiver me timbers!--they're not the only salty dogs lookin' for loot. Can Mad Molly O'Maggot and Scurvy Stink beat out their rivals, Tall Boy and Smart Girl? Can they find the hidden clues, crack the secret codes, and solve the tricky puzzles before time runs out? Aaarrr!

Princess Pulverizer may not be a knight yet, but she won't let that stop her from saving the day! With just one more good deed to do, Princess Pulverizer's Quest of Kindness is almost complete. But when she discovers that a fierce pirate named Cap'n Bobbie has captured a beautiful mermaid, she disobeys her father's strict rule not to go beyond the sea and stays onboard The Seasick Soaker, vowing to free the gentle creature--even if it means losing her chance to become a knight. Can Princess Pulverizer and her pals rescue the mermaid and escape the pirate's clutches, or are they doomed to walk the plank?

The fictional diary of a nine-year-old boy who, in 1716 sets off from North Carolina to become a sailor, but ends up a pirate instead

Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas. There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life--if only she doesn't get caught...

It is the dawn of the eighteenth century, when girls stay home and sew while men sail the high seas finding adventure, danger, and gold. But two unusually adventurous girls-a rich merchant's daughter, Nancy Kington, and her former plantation slave, Minerva Sharpe-take to the high seas from Jamaica on a ship the crew renames Deliverance. Not just any trading ship, the Deliverance flies black flags from its mast, proclaiming to all that the newly named, hijacked ship is a pirate vessel, striking fear into the hearts of those she approaches. Or so they hope. For Nancy, the Deliverance is her escape from an arranged betrothal to a controlling and devilish man. For Minerva, it is escape from slavery, as well as from the fearsome overseer on Nancy's family plantation. But in the end, the money, the adventure, the companionship, and the chance to see the world not as women, but as bold and daring pirates, is an opportunity neither can ignore. A powerful, thrilling, and ultimately inspiring journey of two women who break the bonds of gender, race, and position to find their own way to glory.

When Braid Beard's pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board. Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate curses--who wouldn't go along? Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate. He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind. He hollers like thunder and laughs off bedtime. It's the heave-ho, blow-the-man-down, very best time of his life. But then Jeremy Jacob finds out what pirates don't do....

A swashbuckling adventure inspired by the historical exploits of real-life female pirates. Anne Bonny had it all--her own ship, a pirate crew, and a fearsome reputation--but a new enemy has her on the run and it'll take all of Anne's courage to stay afloat. The night before a major heist, Anne has an unsettling dream, and come morning, the robbery is thwarted by Woodes Rogers, a zealot who has sworn to eliminate piracy. With no plan to escape, Anne must persuade her crew to seek the meaning of her dream--or perish. Full of sass, solidarity, and swordplay, Tell No Tales is a graphic novel about belonging, belief, and how far we're willing to go to protect the ones we love.

Welcome to Corpse Talk, the chat show with a difference - all of the guests are dead! Meet your host, comic book artist Adam Murphy, as he interviews eighteen ground-breaking women throughout history. Have you ever heard of Khutulun, the wrestling princess from Mongolia? Wondered about Jane Austen's love life? Or asked how Harriet Tubman managed to escape from slavery and help so many others do the same? This graphic novel answers all of your questions about the lives of these significant historical figures, from their amazing achievements to their personal lives. Bold and expressive illustrations by Adam and Lisa Murphy bring historical events to life, literally, while humorous text makes learning history fun. Full page illustrations give more detail on the bigger picture behind the women's stories, with special features including a timeline of women's rights, a fact sheet on Chinese junks used by pirates, and a map of a Jamaican settlement created by escaped slaves. Whether you're a fan of these amazing women or just love a good story, this graphic novel will not fail to inspire you and make you laugh.

A humorous look at history, in the form of a chat show in which Adam Murphy digs up and interviews famous and infamous historical figures.

Renowned story teller, Kendall Haven brings his expertise as an oceanographer to the authorship of this third book in a four- book series intended for teachers to use with students in the upper elementary and middle school grades. It focuses on natural phenomena of the sea (tides, tsunamis, sea spouts, giant squid, killer whales) through the eyes of ancient myth and looks at the modern day science that explains each myth, using the interdisciplinary style of teaching. Haven, bringing his knowledge of the science of oceanography, integrates various scientific fields of oceanic study--Physical Oceanography, Geologic Oceanography, Biological and Chemical Oceanography, etc.--to further integrate science curricular areas with the study of myth. Students will not only be encouraged to appreciate the magic in myth and science, but to understand the commonality of all human experience with nature over all time. The book contains myths from several different cultures along with accompanying scientific explanations to use with students. Included are bibliographies, recommended Web sites, student projects, and discussion and activity ideas. Illustrations and diagrams enhance student interest. The book is to be used by teachers and librarians with students and by students in libraries and classrooms. Grades 4-8.

Your students are about to embark on a swashbuckling adventure as they sail the high seas with Pirate Talk, the receptive and expressive language skills game! As students respond to each prompt, they move from island to island on the colorful game board and collect gold coins.