Pirate Giveaway!

Win a hardcover edition of this book!

Okay, I'm not giving away a pirate, but I am giving away a copy of The Pirate Meets the Queen, an adventure-filled picture book by Matt Faulkner. Here's my review for PPBF.

TO ENTER:
1. Become a follower of my blog, Bookish Ambition (Hint: you're already here!)
2. Leave a comment on this post. Anything pirate-y will do!
3. If you'd like a second chance to win, follow Bookish Ambition on Twitter, or let me know that you're already a follower.
4. I'll put your name into the drawing a third time if you tweet about my contest.

That's it! So this is a shameless ploy to reach more followers, but it is also a chance to win a book. And who doesn't need more books?

Entries will be accepted from June 16-June 30. One winner will be randomly chosen and announced here and via Twitter on July 2, 2013.

Thank-you and Happy Father's Day!

PPBF: The Pirate Meets the Queen

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

The Pirate Meets the Queen, by Matt Faulkner

The Pirate Meets the Queen
Written and illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Philomel, 2005, Fiction,
ages 6-10

Themes:
Adventure, Pirates, Historical fiction, Irish legend, Strong female characters (but not a role model!)



Opening:
"Tis very odd, you know, the things they say about you after you've been dead awhile. I've heard the tales they tell. Some call me a pirate."

Synopsis:
The Pirate Meets the Queen is the slightly embellished, but nonetheless fascinating tale of 16th century Irish pirate, Grace "Granny" O'Malley. Faulkner chronicles Granny from her unorthodox youth, through her days of motherhood, culminating in her historic meeting with Queen Elizabeth.

What I Love:
Who doesn't love a good pirate story? This one has the added bonuses of being about a female pirate, and being based on a true story. The main character is hardly sympathetic, though the author spins the tale a bit in her favor. Matt Faulkner's energetic illustrations are just fantastic enough to be legend, and just realistic enough to be historical. His attention to detail breathes life into the Elizabethan world.

Bonus:

Stephanie Block on Broadway in The Pirate Queen,
2007, from the creators of Les Miserables

1. For more on the creation of this book, check Matt's blog, where he also features sketches from Jack London to Dungeons and Dragons.
2. There's much more to know about the real Grace O'Malley. You can visit her landmark in Ireland, read Granuaile, by Anne Chambers, or listen to the Broadway version of her story, The Pirate Queen by Boublil and Shonberg.
3. There are over 30 crafty piratey ideas collected on Nurturestore.
4. A pirate book is an excellent excuse to play dress-up. Gird on your pool noodle sword. Turn your couch into a sailing ship. Draw your own map and have a treasure hunt.
5. While sherbet ships might be more fun to eat, here's an eye-opening list of real pirate foods including a recipe for hardtack.

The statue of Grace O'Malley,
by Michael Cooper
at Westport House

EXTRA! EXTRA! I'm giving away a copy of The Pirate Meets the Queen at the end of the month. The giveaway runs from June 16-30, 2013. Check this blog on Sunday (6-16-13) for details, or follow me on Twitter to receive the notice to enter!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday for June 14, 2013.
Thanks to Susanna Leonard Hill.