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Poppy the Pirate Dog
Best-selling author Liz Kessler makes her first foray into early fiction with a funny tale about an aspiring pirate dog who is afraid of boats.
Poppy the dalmatian can’t wait to go on a seaside vacation with her family. And when they tie a skull-and-crossbones scarf around her neck, she’s sure a pirate’s life of adventure on the open seas awaits. But to be a pirate dog, Poppy must find her perfect pirate ship. Unfortunately, boats bob up and down a lot. Waves splash over the side. Strange creatures live in the water. After trying — and failing — to be a brave pirate dog on a fishing boat, a seal-spotting cruise, a pedal boat, and a speedboat, Poppy has almost given up. Will she manage to find her pirate ship before the family heads back home? From New York Times best-selling author Liz Kessler comes a full-color early reader for adventurous young scalawags and their pirate pooches.
Poppy the dalmatian can’t wait to go on a seaside vacation with her family. And when they tie a skull-and-crossbones scarf around her neck, she’s sure a pirate’s life of adventure on the open seas awaits. But to be a pirate dog, Poppy must find her perfect pirate ship. Unfortunately, boats bob up and down a lot. Waves splash over the side. Strange creatures live in the water. After trying — and failing — to be a brave pirate dog on a fishing boat, a seal-spotting cruise, a pedal boat, and a speedboat, Poppy has almost given up. Will she manage to find her pirate ship before the family heads back home? From New York Times best-selling author Liz Kessler comes a full-color early reader for adventurous young scalawags and their pirate pooches.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2012
About the author
Liz Kessler
57 books898 followersLiz Kessler is the author of three novels about Philippa Fisher as well as the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling Emily Windsnap series. She lives in Manchester, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 11, 2021
Poppy is a Dalmatian who is a member of the Brown family. The whole family leaves for a week's vacation at the beach. Everyone is excited and while Mrs. Brown is shopping at a hat stand, Poppy knocks a scarf off the shelf. It is black and white, with a pattern of skulls and crossbones. Poppy is in love!
It turns out Poppy is a pirate dog. She has shared many hours with Tim as he reads books about pirates, and she knows they are exciting, daring, and dangerous. Now, she is, too!
Of course, a pirate dog needs a pirate ship. Poppy's adventure with her family to find the perfect ship is wonderful, and the result is perfect.
Kessler owns a Dalmatian named Poppy, who just happens to also be a pirate dog.
It turns out Poppy is a pirate dog. She has shared many hours with Tim as he reads books about pirates, and she knows they are exciting, daring, and dangerous. Now, she is, too!
Of course, a pirate dog needs a pirate ship. Poppy's adventure with her family to find the perfect ship is wonderful, and the result is perfect.
Kessler owns a Dalmatian named Poppy, who just happens to also be a pirate dog.
October 17, 2016
A delightful early reader especially for dog lovers and pirate lovers!
April 4, 2018
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 found the book a bit sad since the dog spent a lot of time scared. Nice to have a photo of the real Poppy.
Miss 3 found the book a bit sad since the dog spent a lot of time scared. Nice to have a photo of the real Poppy.
December 3, 2018
Poppy is very excited to go to the shore for vacation. When her family ties a skull-and-crossbones scarf around her neck, she is ready for life on the ocean as a pirate. That is, until it is time to board a boat! You will cheer Poppy on as she overcomes her fears in this sweet tale.
November 15, 2019
Kind of read these books out of order I guess but I finally figured out how Poppy became a pirate! lol...Cute little chapter book about a precious dog and her family. Perfect for little ones who are just getting into chapter books.
October 19, 2023
Poppy the Dalmation, is looking forward to the family vacation, by the sea shore. The family decides to go boating on a different boat every day. Poppy looks forward to being a pirate, but soon discovers that maybe she isn't meant to be a sea-faring pup.
June 29, 2017
6\29\17 Read with Naomi, Simon, JD, & Joseph
October 7, 2023
Found in L4L Volume 86.
June 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book in one sitting. (I am 6 years old). The pictures are good and there’s enough words. It’s a good story.
April 18, 2016
Poppy, the family dog, goes on vacation with the Brown family. He becomes “Poppy the pirate dog” when Daddy buys him a black scarf with skulls and crossbones on it. He wants to be a pirate dog but after sailing on various boats at the beach, nothing works out for him. Finally, they come across an old houseboat which is just right for Poppy the pirate dog. Ahoy, mates!
This is a darling dog book perfect for the beginning readers’ crowd. The story is amusing and realistic. Dog lovers will be able to relate to the antics of Poppy as she tries to enjoy all the different types of boat rides but with little success. The text is over-sized and bold. The amount of text on each page is perfect and the colorful illustrations are lively and humorous. This would be a perfect addition to the young readers’ library and promises to circulate extensively. Recommended for grades 1 through 3.
This is a darling dog book perfect for the beginning readers’ crowd. The story is amusing and realistic. Dog lovers will be able to relate to the antics of Poppy as she tries to enjoy all the different types of boat rides but with little success. The text is over-sized and bold. The amount of text on each page is perfect and the colorful illustrations are lively and humorous. This would be a perfect addition to the young readers’ library and promises to circulate extensively. Recommended for grades 1 through 3.
April 1, 2016
On a family vacation to the coast, the Brown family’s dog, Poppy the dalmatian, falls in love with a skulls-and-crossbones scarf. So they buy it for her and give her a nickname: Poppy the Pirate Dog! Poppy knows all about pirates. She has a week to find her perfect pirate ship. The family books a number of boating trips; which one will be the kind of ship for a pirate dog?
Liz Kessler has created a character children will adore with “Poppy the Pirate Dog.” This cute chapter book, geared towards beginning readers, is simply written and full of fun accompanying illustrations to help keep little ones engaged. The story is cute, and will appeal to readers of all kinds, including those who aren’t anywhere close to being able to read it themselves! This is a fun little book that children will want to read over and over again.
Book originally reviewed for San Diego Book Review.
Liz Kessler has created a character children will adore with “Poppy the Pirate Dog.” This cute chapter book, geared towards beginning readers, is simply written and full of fun accompanying illustrations to help keep little ones engaged. The story is cute, and will appeal to readers of all kinds, including those who aren’t anywhere close to being able to read it themselves! This is a fun little book that children will want to read over and over again.
Book originally reviewed for San Diego Book Review.
December 27, 2013
As a fan of Liz Kessler's middle school books, I was excited to see that she has ventured into the world of easy readers. This beginning chapter book will be a hit with young readers who are ready for something a bit longer. Young kids will enjoy reading about Poppy, a dalmatian who dreams about being a pirate dog, but... he quickly finds out he does not enjoy being out on the open sea!
April 9, 2014
Poppy is a special dog,in fact, a Pirate Dog. But how will Poppy find just the right kind of ship for all her pirating needs? Poppy tries out several with her family, most of which leave her queasy and unhappy - until Mom finds the perfect fit right before the end of vacation.
A great choice for readers who are not quite ready for chapter books, but itching to more forward.
A great choice for readers who are not quite ready for chapter books, but itching to more forward.
September 7, 2013
A good transitional book or quick readaloud about a dog who fancies himself a pirate dog. He tests out a variety of boats until he finds the perfect one for him. Simple, but satisfying read for readers not quite ready for longer chapter books.
September 14, 2013
Cute early chapter book/easy reader about a dog named Poppy who is proud to be a pirate dog...until she discovers that she doesn't like water. Colorful illustrations and short chapters make this a good transitional book for new readers.
November 17, 2013
This story talks about a family going on vacation and how their dog Poppy wants to be a pirate dog. Along the vacation, they encounter some difficulties with helping Poppy find what needs to be done. You'll be surprised at how it ends.
January 23, 2016
Poppy is a cute early chapter book. Just right for some new readers.
Poppy and her family head to the beach for vacation, Poppy finds herself a scarf and now wants to be a pirate. Follow Poppy as she tries to find herself a pirate ship to call her own.
Poppy and her family head to the beach for vacation, Poppy finds herself a scarf and now wants to be a pirate. Follow Poppy as she tries to find herself a pirate ship to call her own.
August 24, 2013
Poppy is a pirate dog, but she's afraid of boats.
September 25, 2013
quite delightful easy to read about pirate dog at the beach - could pair with books about different types of boats.
November 11, 2013
Douglas read this himself
February 3, 2014
Cute story about a dog who wants to be a pirate dog but runs into some trouble when she discovers her extreme distaste for water. Great for newly independent readers.
August 31, 2014
Early readers are difficult books for me to bond with. I wasn't feeling much attachment to any of the characters in this story. It had potential but fell flat for me.
October 22, 2014
Dalmatian pup goes on beach vacation with family with delusions of being a pirate. Each day has a different variation on boat adventure, with varying degrees of success.
November 11, 2017
Recommended.
Series: Poppy the Pirate Dog
Readalikes:
Henry and Mudge series
Mr. Putter and Tabby series
Series: Poppy the Pirate Dog
Readalikes:
Henry and Mudge series
Mr. Putter and Tabby series
November 7, 2014
Cute. Use to teach about how thinking or reading about things is different from doing them.
April 24, 2015
Fun transitional book for young readers
March 29, 2016
Yay, dogs and boats!
December 8, 2016
Cute early chapter book about a dalmatian who wants to be a pirate dog, but he doesn't like boats.
March 20, 2015
Fine for a very first chapter book for GK-1, but nothing really special.
October 14, 2017
I loved the introduction with the picture of the original Poppy the pirate dog. It just made the story more personal and you could feel the love the author had for Poppy. The beautiful illustrations by Mike Phillips just added to the story. Poppy goes on holiday to the seaside with the family and gets a pirate scarf to wear. This makes Poppy a pirate. Poppy loved listening to the pirate stories that Tim used to read out a loud, as well as reenacting the pirate scenes. The problem is when it came time to go on various types of boats, Poppy just didn't take to any of them and went home dejected. Whilst at the vet, Suzy realised why Poppy wasn't well - she's supposed to be a pirate dog and hadn't found a boat yet that suited being a pirate. In the end, the family find a boat, with a plank to walk aboard on, as well as a pirate flag - and it moved slowly and stable enough for Poppy to become a proper Pirate Dog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews