Aye, Matey! If you haven’t yet checked out the beautiful treasure chest at the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Branch Library, you are in for a treat. It was handcrafted by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Encinitas Foundation and sports a sign reading, “No Trespassing, Pirates Only.” Each time a “Pirate” child finishes 10 books, they may open the chest and select a book as their very own.

These chests are a part of the Kiwanis Club’s Literacy Program and are placed in schools and libraries throughout San Diego County. The mission is to encourage and facilitate children to become avid, successful readers.

The Good Ship Literacy, Larry Marquardt’s truck, is rigged with book-filled shelves. He and his crew visit a different school each month where teachers are able to select books of their choice for their classroom libraries. The books are donations or are purchased with donated funds.

“Captain Book,” one Morris Pike, is a salt-old pirate who will perform at your school or library. His routine is a treat for both young and old.

Upon delivering a treasure chest of books to a facility, Captain Book warns the children they have to walk the plank if they do not become good pirates by keeping up with their reading. As crewmembers of the Good Ship Literacy, they must read books. He leaves them with badges and bookmarks.

To learn more about the Literary Program or the Kids Reading Club as well as how to have Captain Book come to your venue, visit www.captainbook.org and click on the links or e-mail the Captain at captainbook33@gmail.com. You may also learn where you can donate new or gently used books.

The treasure chest at the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Branch Library is very special to me because it was given in my honor and it is a treat to be in the library when a “Pirate’ has completed 10 books and is hovering in front of the chest bubbling with enthusiasm over being able to select a book to take home.

If your child is not yet a “Pirate,” ask about enrollment the next time you visit the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Branch Library.

The Kiwanis Club, the chests, Captain Book, Larry and the “Pirates” are just some of the many, many reasons that Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a most wonderful place to call home.