Pirates Don’t Go To Kindergarten! – Lisa Robinson, illustrated by Eda Kaban, Two Lions, 9781542092753, 2019
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Picture
What did you like about the book? If there is a young preschooler reluctant to go to kindergarten, this is their perfect book. In this story we see Emma, who is preparing for her first day of kindergarten. She has all the necessary supplies such as a treasure map, spyglass, and cutlass (after all, her preschool classroom had a pirate ship theme). When she shows up to set sail on Captain Chu’s ship, her former teacher informs her that she is now on another ship — a spaceship in Captain Hayes’ classroom. This does not go over well with our little pirate and she spends most of the day travelling back to her old “pirate ship”. With a little coaxing from Ms. Chu and Ms. Hayes, Emma learns to love her new ship — the spaceship of kindergarten.
This is such a wonderful story to show how challenging it is for young children to leave a beloved teacher and a familiar classroom. I can see this book opening up many discussions for parents and young children about starting something new.
Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing
To whom would you recommend this book? Perfect for children between the ages of three and five. I think even children in preschool who are moving up to another class would appreciate this story–even if they are not yet going to kindergarten. Would be a good story to have on hand in a kindergarten classroom.
Who should buy this book? Public and school libraries, preschools, daycare centers, anyone who works with children between the ages of three and five.
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes
Reviewer Kristin Guay, former youth librarian
Date of review: August 2, 2019
Youth Services Book Review 
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