The Pirate of Kindergarten

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lyons, George Ella. 2010. The pirate of kindergarten. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416950240

PLOT SUMMARY

Ginny sees two of everything: letters, numbers, chairs…everything! She thinks everyone does until Vision Screening Day when she learns otherwise. A pair of classes and a patch make Ginny a single vision pirate in kindergarten!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ginny is an eager kindergarten who loves to read. She thinks everyone sees double like her and is saddened to find out that is not the case. Her classmates make fun of her as she reads sentences twice or falls over chairs, but Ginny remains resilient. She does not let her unknown disability get her down. One might guess that a child in a similar situation might react differently given the personality of the child. 

Most of the events take place at school, which is valid considering Ginny’s disability could greatly affect her education. Readers can conclude this sweet story takes place in present day considering the machinery the optometrist uses. With that in mind, it is important to note that the story is based on author George Ella Lyons’ own experience. 

Ginny is disheartened when she first learns that she is different from everyone else. However, she does not stay down long. Lyons portrays Ginny’s double vision light-heartedly, leading readers to determine a disability is no reason to give up or become discouraged. Ginny shows that she has not become dismayed through Lynne Avril’s illustrations. She wears her eye patch accompanied by a newspaper pirate hat. 

Ginny’s classmates seem to greet her with acceptance…and probably gratefulness that she no longer runs into things. The Pirate of Kindergarten is truly a celebration of diversity—a call to embrace one’s differences as a chance to grow and adapt.

Lyons story for young people moves swiftly through the plot without adding unnecessary fluff. She offers a realistic conflict and delivers a satisfying ending. The layout of text is interesting: the text alignment changes from every which way when Ginny sees double to straight across the page when her vision is improved.

Avril’s engaging pictures will interest young readers with the bright colors and whimsical feel. I appreciate how Avril illustrates the vision testing apparatus at the doctor’s office. Such illustrations should allow apprehensive children should see the equipment in a more positive light. Avril also ought to be commended for portraying images from Ginny’s double visioned point of view.

Even older readers will enjoy the story of one girl’s adventure from seeing double to being the pirate of kindergarten! 

AWARDS & REVIEWS

Schneider Family Book Award, 2011Kirkus Book Review Stars, June 2010Publisher’s Weekly Book Review Stars, May 2010 

“Based on Lyon’s own experience, the sensitively written story radiates empathy and good humor. Even children who have not experienced Ginny’s problem will understand her occasional frustration and find it intriguing that one person can literally see the world differently from another.” –Booklist, 2010 

“This small episode, taken from the author's own experience, is much more than bibliotherapy, even though it covers Ginny's remedial eye patch (hence the title). In single or double vision, Ginny simply glows.” –Kirkus Reviews, 2010 

CONNECTIONS

Seeing from Another ViewpointRewrite The Pirate of Kindergarten as a comic strip from the point of view of another character such as a classmate or Ms. Cleo. What would they think about Ginny’s bumping around and reading double? How would they react to her new patch? Use an online comic generator such as www.ToonDoo.com.
 Ginny Hits the Silver ScreenCreate, perform, and record your own reader’s theatre for The Pirate of Kindergarten.
 Helping a FriendMake a whole-class videocast individually telling how you would help Ginny. What would you do to help her while she is struggling with seeing? When she arrives at school with her patch, what could you do to help her?