Gavin and the pirates is a picture book written in rhyme. It tells the story of a little boy who dreams of becoming a pirate, sailing to far off lands and finding buried treasure. One day, while playing at being a pirate on the beach below, he drifts off to sleep and dreams ... that his dream comes true!

Gavin is taken on board a pirate ship and meets the Captain and crew. To his delight, he becomes one of them and enjoys doing his daily chores and learning the skills of a pirate.

One day, while in the bird's nest he sees an enemy ship far away on the horizon. A battle follows and the enemy ship is sunk.

The defeated Captain's treasure map falls out of his pocket so they set sail and soon reach the island where the treasure is buried. The treasure is taken on board but as they sail away from the island, Gavin starts feeling homesick.

He continues doing his duties but feels torn between life at sea and his mother's cakes. Finally, a raging storm blows up and sinks the ship. Gavin is frightened and closes his eyes.

When he opens them, there he is on the pebble beach. He runs home, realising it had all been a dream.