The Old Pirate of Central Park

By Robert Priest

Book Overview

In this wonderfully quirky story, two stubborn souls - a retired pirate and a retired queen - do battle in the sailboat pond in Central Park. Inspired by memories of his past, the Old Pirate has built a marvelous replica of his sailing ship, the Laughing Dog. But when he takes it to the park to launch it in the pond, he finds the waters are not so friendly - the S.S. Uppity Duchess is unwilling to share the seas and takes aim at the Laughing Dog. Who will rule the waves in this offbeat tale of high-seas adventure and friendship found in New York City?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395905052
• ISBN13: 9780395905050
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.3" x 12.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Quick book, good message

In this book, a "retired pirate" and a "retired queen" engage in a toy boat battle in Central Park, because the Queen refuses to share the pond with the other users (mostly children, of course). Eventually the battle is called for naptime, and the queen shares the waters again. The book is charmingly illustrated, and the city-specific details are well-written. Please note that this edition is oversized, and may be difficult to shelve.

A great story with a good message.

Living in NYC, it was a unique experience to be able to read a book, and then take my son to the place where the action occurs. We pretended to also be pirates, and this made the book a wonderful facillitator for imaginative play. But the book is for more than Manhattanites - I bought it for friends living in the Midwest, and am purchasing it again to send to a friend in Philly. I highly recommend it.