• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3

Scolded for being "clumsy and kindly" instead of "crafty and greedy," young pirate Augusta becomes determined to brave a scary treasure hunt alone. When she and a member of a rival crew both get in trouble, they disobey orders to work together and share the booty.

Augusta Garrick has proven that her helpful and gentle-hearted ways don't make her a bad pirate. In fact, she is even a good pirate. But when her clumsiness destroys a treasure map and injures First Mate Scully, she knows she must learn to be even better.

Eager to make things right, Augusta sets out alone for Crossbones Island. She may not have a map, but she is nimble and fearless! At least, she is trying to be fearless. But there are strange shadows on Crossbones Island, and the Tuna Lubbers' crew of fierce pirate cats is after the treasure, too. When she finds herself in a dangerous situation with one of the Tuna Lubbers, will Augusta manage to be the better pirate?

From the award-winning creators of Bad Pirate and Good Pirate comes Augusta Garrick's third piratical-jargon-packed adventure.

Kari-Lynn Winters is the author of Jeffrey and Sloth (2007), a picture book about the daunting task of overcoming writer's block, and The Meaning Maker, a children's play about reading strategies which is currently being toured throughout the Lower Mainland. A graduate of Canada's National Theatre School, she is currently performing with a Vancouver children's theatre group, The Tickle Trunk Players.

Kari has taught a range of students in Canada and the United States, including pre-school, special education, primary, intermediate, high school, and now university teacher education.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. in the Language and Literacy Department at UBC. Her research interests are children's literature, print literacy, and multimodal forms of learning.

Kari's website is www.kariwinters.com.

Kari-Lynn Winters' profile page

Dean Griffiths is a popular picture book artist with more than 25 titles to his name. His many awards include the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Prize for Maggie Can't Wait and the Chocolate Lily Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses. Dean's 2012 title Lumpito and the Painter from Spain has been nominated for the SYRCA Shining Willow Award and was a Bank Street Best Book. His most recent book is When Emily Carr Met Woo. Dean lives in Duncan, British Columbia, with his daughter.

Dean Griffiths' profile page

Praise for Best Pirate

"Following the format she set forth in the book's two predecessors, Winters once again fills her text with piratical lingo while highlighting three adjectives (in this case, 'crafty,' 'nimble,' and 'fearless'), allowing her heroine to embody them in her own way. Augusta is proactive, takes charge, and even has a thing or two to say about generosity when the moment is right. Griffiths' illustrations are in fine form here, by turns beautiful in their evocative backgrounds while also displaying an array of impressively expressive kits and pups. Best be filling yer ditty bag with more of this sort—Tuna Lubbers and Frilly Dogs ahoy!"—Kirkus Reviews

"[Best Pirate] is full of pirate language that begs to be read aloud in your best pirate voice. In his illustrations, Griffiths has managed to create a whole collection of funny, diverse, detailed, and expressive dog and cat characters. Amid the lush setting, detailed characters, and funny language lies an adventure story with a heartwarming message. Even though Augusta is a dog and a pirate, her bravery, kindness, and desire to please her family is something that every kid can relate to and aspire to."—Resource Links

"Best Pirate is a rollicking good tale that takes readers across the seas and to a mysterious island to find a fabled treasure. And while it is a tale of young pirate Augusta's bravery and daring, it is also one of quick thinking and unexpected kindness...Detailed, full color illustrations bring the story to life and immerse readers into the various lush settings....Young readers will love the fast-paced story, the beautiful pictures, and the read-aloud fun of the pirate dialect."—San Francisco Book Review

"Kari-Lynn Winters follows the format of the first two pirate books, with playful, pirate language scattered throughout the story and with much of the dynamic text appearing on floating pieces of sail....The buoyant text is mirrored in the dazzling artwork by Dean Griffiths. The wildly colourful and detailed drawings are expressive, action-packed and filled with humour. Griffiths' charming illustrations have depth and pull the reader right into the story. Using these three imaginative titles produced by this talented duo, an enterprising teacher could treat her students to a fun, pirate-themed unit. The fact that each title features an important lesson or moral, with a refreshing heroine, should make this idea even more motivating. Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine

"The illustrations are fabulous, full of color, realistic, expressive – and cute....This would be a fun addition to a pirate-themed storytime."—Youth Services Book Review

"Cat person or dog person? Choose your side and hang on for the ride as the Tuna Lubbers and the Frilly Dogs race to find the booty in Best Pirate....When [Augusta Garrick] comes face to face with a pirate kitty, she learns that working together -- even if it involves an arch-enemy -- is the best way out of a jam and sharing makes us all richer. The richly colored illustrations, dramatic expressions of the characters, and dialogue written on scrolls pull readers into the pirate drama."—Hakai Magazine

"Readers will certainly learn a lesson from Augusta and Kari-Lynn Winters about determination and fulfilment that comes from success without the need for accolades. She may be a dog but she's a gutsy lassy. Dean Griffiths, who illustrated Kari-Lynn Winters' earlier Pirate books, continues to endow the story with colour richness and opulent textures from another time...Of course, young readers will love the dogs and cats of all species with their distinguishing features of fur and shape as well as the wide array of their expressions: friendliness, fear, surprise, dismay, anger. Aye, blow me down but Best Pirate is a treasure of a fine tale for pirate lovers on both sea and land."—CanLit for LittleCanadians

"Best Pirate is a wonderful, amusing tale that shows sometimes it takes smarts, rather than fighting, to get out of a sticky situation. And sometimes an enemy may really be a friend...if you're willing to work together. The story is beautifully illustrated with expressive characters that capture the imagination of those reading or listening to this pirate tale....This is the third tale featuring Augusta Barnacle and it's the best one yet!"—Pirates and Privateers

"There is lots of lovely pirate language, and the end papers help define a lot of these for enchanted readers. The illustrations are wonderful, showing emotions and lovely details."—Canadian Bookworm

"This is the second book about Augusta Garrick, a gentle, helpful pirate who has proven her worth among the more traditional pirate pups....The illustrations are beautiful..."—BookTime