"We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me"
There's something really comforting about bringing back what you used to love when you were a child. This is what this series of post is going to go about.
My life is loaded with studying and responsibilities, but I try to find time to squeeze between hours of work some of those things that make me actually happy.
When I was a child, I used to read the books I'm going to show you hundreds of times. I knew them by heart, I flipped the pages back and forth and admired the pictures for hours. I was specially fond of this one, since I dreamt of being a Pirate. I remember going to the cinema 5 times (yes friends, five times) to watch Pirates of the Caribbean, and that was the moment in which I fell in love with Johnny Depp, Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Turner. They were my heroes, I wanted to be pretty and badass as Elizabeth. And if that would grant me Johnny's or Orlando's heart, well then, I can't complain.
When I first discovered these books, I fell instantly compelled to buy them. Well, my mum did, since I was just 6 or 7 years old. They covered a huge range of topics, such as pirates, Egyptians, magic, fairies and, my favorite one: Dragons. I took a lot of care with them, because they were magical for me, and I wanted them to be perfect. They were a really special part of my childhood, and that's why I want to show them to you.
Shall we begin? Yes, that was totally a Star Trek reference.
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| There are some expandable pages that complete the story with dates and information. |
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| It instructs you in the different flags, boats, clothes and weapons used by pirates. |
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| A bag of Gold!!!! And aren't those maps stunning? |
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| There's even a piece of a flag. And a little booklet of nautical terms to turn you into a full, knowledgeable pirate. |
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| I remember becoming really frustrated because I couldn't replicate the beauty of the pictures when I tried to draw them, even thought I was pretty good at drawing. |
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| The book has clues hidden between its pages, maps waiting to be deciphered, ropes to practice your knotting skills, and you can even build your own compass. Pinch me, I'm in heaven. |
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| Those crystals at the end of the book are so pretty. I love shiny things. The details are over the top. I'd like to make a huge copy of every single picture so I could hang them on my walls. |
It tells the story of Arabella Drummond, who I just discovered, was a real pirate. Hmmm, things get so much more fascinating now. I've become really interested in the history of pirates after revisiting this book, both as a curious person and a writer and maybe I still dream of becoming a pirate myself and now I can't wait to get my hands in these:
- Raiders and Rebels, A History of the Golden Age of Piracy; by Frank Sherry
- The History of Piracy; by Philip Gosse
- Under the Black Flag, the Romance and the Reality of Life among the Pirates; by David Cordingly
I think I already know what I want for my birthday.
Omg, I remember poring over these books at the book stores o.o but my parents wouldn't buy these- probably because of all the pop ups and the potential destruction these books could undergo at the hands of super interested children xD
ReplyDeleteAs for Pirates of the Caribbean, I couldn't bear to watch them until very recently (the violence I imagined them to contain was nothing compared to what was actually shown xD) and I liked them a lot :D I haven't watched all of them though :)
Good post.
I was a whirlwind when I was a child, but I was too fond of my books to even dare to dog-ear them! I loved these books to bits, I swear I have lost count of how many times I've read them.
DeletePirates of the Caribbean is one of my favourite films, specially the first two. After that, the story gets a bit, let's say... Strange. But they are still fun movies. I always use them as comfort movies. Besides, Depp's performance is spectacular, he has created a unique character in Sparrow!!!
Thanks for your comment!! <3
We had these books at the library I worked at. I always stopped to flip through them when I was shelving or checking in books. Needless to say they didn't hold up so well as library books! How are the public libraries in your area?
ReplyDeletePirates of the Caribbean is a film that I've watched MANY times as well. I remember the first time I watched it at a friend's sleepover -- it was not what I had expected at all and I fell in love with the characters, scenery, and soundtrack. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the sequels...
Have a lovely day :)
Hahahaha I can imagine how damaged they would be with lots of little lambs leafing through them! Well, in my city there are not that many public libraries. I just know about 3, and two of them are pretty small, which is sad because my city is not that big. But I think there are more that I don't know about. I have some friends who get books from public libraries, and from what I've seen they aren't in perfect conditions, but they aren't missing any pages either, so I think they're ok. I've never gone inside one in my life, because I prefer to buy my own books. Don't know, just strange reader quirks. And I don't like waiting to read the books. I want to read, I'm really impatient!
DeleteYeah, definitely The Black Pearl is the best one of the saga, thought the rest have some amusing scenes! The first one will always be my favourite, though.
Thanks for commenting!!! <3