Captain Pike Looks After the Baby
What’s inside...
Captain Pike discovers that looking after a baby isn't quite as easy as he thought in this crazy piratical mix of cutlasses and lullabies, treasure maps and nappies. But when Captain Whitebeard and his crew attack the ship, it turns out some pirates have a soft spot for babies . . . and at last Captain Pike learns how to cope with his offspring. With a story to really make children giggle and bright, colourful illustrations bursting with energy and comic detail from an exciting new artist, these pirates are hard to resist!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Captain Pike felt when he was asked to look after the baby?
What are some ways Captain Pike shows he cares for the baby?
Can you think of a time when you had to take care of someone or something? How did you feel?
What did Captain Pike learn by the end of the story?
If you were Captain Pike, what would you have done differently when looking after the baby?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own feelings about taking care of others and relate it to the story.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points while reading to keep them engaged.
Discuss the importance of responsibility and empathy as demonstrated by Captain Pike.
After reading, have your child draw a picture of their favorite part of the book, and explain why they chose that particular scene.
Connect the themes of the book to real-life situations your child might encounter to deepen their understanding of the story's lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Captain Pike takes on the role of caring for a baby, demonstrating the tasks and attentiveness required in caregiving.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in small responsibilities at home, such as helping with chores or looking after pets, fostering a sense of duty and care.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the story, Captain Pike shows consideration and sensitivity towards the baby’s needs, promoting an understanding of others’ feelings.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children to recognize and respond to the emotions of friends and family members, enhancing their social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Captain Pike encounters and solves various challenges while looking after the baby, exhibiting critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach obstacles in their daily activities with thoughtful solutions, improving their decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: The value of cooperation
Explanation: Captain Pike seeks help from others when needed, depicting cooperation as a method to overcome difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to ask for help and work together with siblings or classmates on tasks and projects, teaching them about teamwork and collaboration.