So, we missed Talk like a Pirate Day this year (September 19*). No matter. For the next eleven months (and in time for this year's Halloween) kids can practice their pirate sneers and snarrrrls with Oceanhouse Media's e-book version of Melinda Long's picture book How I Became a Pirate, illustrated by David Shannon (July 2014).

While at the beach with his family, young Jeremy Jacob sees a pirate ship on the horizon. Next thing he knows, a contingent of hapless pirates has rowed ashore. They're led by Captain Braid Beard, who enlists Jeremy as a new crew member: "I didn't think Mom and Dad would mind, as long as I got back in time for soccer practice the next day."



It's a silly, entertaining pirate yarn, enhanced in the e-book version by some animation (lots of zooming in and out of scenes, plus pirate pillow fight and a booming, flashing thunderstorm) and vocabulary support. Tap many of the items in the pictures and the word appears onscreen (pirate, bandana, parrot, etc.); in the "Read to Me" setting it's also read aloud (there's a "Read It Myself" option with just the printed words). Users can even record their own narration.

Grab some grog, sing a sea chantey, don't eat your vegetables, and batten down the hatches — then head back home to soccer practice or out for trick or treat.

Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (requires iOS 6.1 or later); $3.99. Recommended for primary users.

*Pirate joke: What's a pirate's favorite letter?
Answer: You'd think it's R, but it B C.