The Pirate of Kindergarten -- Kate Smith

Children’s Literature Review 3: Children with Special Needs

Katelyn Smith

Title: The Pirate of Kindergarten

Author: George Ella Lyon

Age of Reader: Kindergarten (5-6 year olds)

Why I chose this book: This book allows children to practice empathy and think about the world from someone else’s perspective. The story does an excellent job on describing what it is like to have double vision to children. I think that any student with or without disabilities can relate to this book. Also, this story sends an important message about facing difficulties with a positive outlook.

Plot Summary: Ginny is a kindergartner who has difficulty seeing. Her double vision is discovered at a vision screening at school, and she learns that it can be cured. She is given eye exercises and an eye patch to wear, and that is how Ginny becomes the “pirate of kindergarten” Instead of becoming negative, Ginny embraces her new eye patch with a spunky attitude and gains a renewed energy towards life in her classroom. She now realizes that she can do everything like the other children in her class.

Activities:  Put petroleum jelly on the outside lens of a par of goggles, then have children put them on and to try to look at different items in the classroom. Then discuss how they felt when they couldn’t see clearly.

“Pirate telescopes”: materials: toilet paper tube, stickers, markers, etc. Decorate the tubes with markers and stickers. Have the children use the telescopes to “spy” something special about each of their friends.