Pirate Diary
First edition | |
| Author | Richard Platt |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Chris Riddell |
| Cover artist | Riddell |
| Language | English |
| Series | Diary books by Platt and two illustrators |
| Genre | Children's historical fiction, picture book |
| Publisher | Walker Books |
Publication date | 8 October 2001 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 64 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-7445-6233-0 |
| OCLC | 47676616 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P71295 Pi 2001 |
| Preceded by | Castle Diary |
| Followed by | Egyptian Diary |
Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter is an account of the pirate life cast as the journal of a young cabin boy, written by Richard Platt and illustrated by Chris Riddell. It was published by Walker Books in 2001, two years after Castle Diary, also by Platt and Riddell. Platt continued the "Diary" series with illustrator David Parkins.
Pirate Diary received the annual Kate Greenaway Medal from the professional librarians, recognising the year's best-illustrated children's book published in the U.K. (Riddell), and the Blue Peter Book Award, Best Book with Facts. It was also silver runner up for the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in ages category 6–8 years.
The Greenaway press release celebrated Pirate Diary as an "exciting information book for children from 8 to 14" and the first "information book" to win the illustration Medal since 1975, and called it "a fictionalised account" (quoting CILIP). "[W]hen he spoke with author Richard Platt the harsh necessities of historical accuracy came into play. 'Everything I got excited about got shot down. No parrots, eye-patches or wooden legs. Thank god there were weapons and amputations!'" (quoting Riddell).