PREVIEWRoger is a lousy pirate. In fact, whenever there is any real pirating to do, the other pirates scowl and send him away.
Roger wishes he could think of something – anything – that would prove he is a good pirate. So when, in the middle of a great battle, Roger has a jolly idea, no–one – not even Roger himself – has a clue that he will soon change the face of pirating forever!
This is the first picture book both written and illustrated by Brett Helquist, who is best known for his drawings in Lemony Snicket's bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events. Here, his full–colour spreads capture fierce battles, magnificent ships, and the warmth and humour of one very unusual pirate. Ages 4, 5, 6, 7
By Brett Helquist
Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Edition: illustrated
Published by HarperCollins, 2004
ISBN 0066238056, 9780066238050
40 pages
Helquist takes a break from illustrating ...
... "A Series of Unfortunate Events" for a solo debut, offering an eye-rolling account of the pirate flag's origin. Dubbed "Jolly Roger" by his shipmates—and "they didn't' mean it nicely"—an inept pirate is sent belowdecks when the ship is attacked by a British Man-O-War. In an effort to increase his social standing, Roger decides to bake a cake in an unused cannon—so when he blasts into sight, a ragged figure covered with white flour and burnt powder, the frightened attackers flee, and his grateful chums sew up a flag in his honor. Sporting a gap-toothed grin, argyle socks, and a chicken on his shoulder, Roger's definitely a misfit among his scowling, beetle-browed mates, but then, looks—not to mention a continuing inability to tell "the starboard from the larboard, the windward from the leeward, or the mizzen from the main"—aren't everything. A bit of spindrift for young pirate fans, capped by a brief ballad (not seen). (Picture book. 7, 8, 9) Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) VNU Business Media, Inc.
PreS-Gr 3 Ages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 -Roger, a "lousy pirate," is ...
... derisively given the nickname "Jolly Roger" by his shipmates. Although he tries to be a proper buccaneer, he is inevitably sent below deck whenever there is serious marauding to be done. When the Admiral attacks the ship, Roger is once again sent to the hold. In an attempt to win the favor of his crewmates, he bakes a cake in a cannon he mistakes for a pot. The explosive result-Roger flying above deck amid flour, smoke, and powder, looking exactly like a screaming skeleton-sends the Admiral's men leaping off their vessel convinced that the pirates have a ghost on their side. In recognition of his feat, his shipmates stitch up a flag that has gone down in history as the "Jolly Roger." This goofy pourquoi tale is told with a rhythm and bounce that begs to be read aloud. Helquist uses cinematic perspectives and compositions in his watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations-extreme close-ups, split-screen glimpses, and sweeping full-bleed vistas are interspersed with views akin to peeping through a telescope. His success at capturing motion in many of the pictures adds to the movielike quality of the art. Pirate lovers and children who enjoy a good adventure will relish the climactic battle scene. A rousing and humorous tale.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Reed Business Information (c) 2004
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. For a pirate on the high seas, being "jolly" is an insult: "He smiled instead of scowling, and he grinned instead of growling." The other pirates don't want Jolly Roger around when there is serious fighting to be done, and they send him into the hold. Then comes the day Jolly bakes a cake for his mates with everything he can find, and the concoction explodes and shoots him back on deck covered in flour and soot. The terrified enemy abandons ship, and Jolly is a hero at last--even if he still can't "tell the starboard from the larboard, the windward from the leeward or the mizzen from the mast." With scenes of swords crossed in battle and wild slapstick action, the illustrator of the popular Lemony Snicket series puts comic disaster into a lively picture book that's just for children who will appreciate the sweet bumbling outsider who isn't bad enough to get respect. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. For a pirate on the high seas, being "jolly" is an insult: "He smiled instead of scowling, and he grinned instead of growling." The other pirates don't want Jolly Roger around when there is serious fighting to be done, and they send him into the hold. Then comes the day Jolly bakes a cake for his mates with everything he can find, and the concoction explodes and shoots him back on deck covered in flour and soot. The terrified enemy abandons ship, and Jolly is a hero at last--even if he still can't "tell the starboard from the larboard, the windward from the leeward or the mizzen from the mast." With scenes of swords crossed in battle and wild slapstick action, the illustrator of the popular Lemony Snicket series puts comic disaster into a lively picture book that's just for children who will appreciate the sweet bumbling outsider who isn't bad enough to get respect. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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