Pirasaurs!

The Pirasaurs—and, yes, they are dinosaurs who live as pirates—have a new recruit. He’s tiny, orange, and eager to please: “With lots to learn,/ I’ve got to earn/ The crew’s respect and trust./ I’ll rise in rank or/ Walk the plank.../ I hope I can adjust!” When the crew comes face to face with another pirate gang in a battle over buried treasure, it’s the new guy who shows how a little sharing can result in a big payoff. Funk (Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast) handles this mashup with just the right combination of swagger and heart; his succinct, bouncy text should inspire rollicking read-alouds. Slack’s (Race Car Count) richly textured digital artwork may, in this context, bring to mind images painted on a ship’s deck. His hero is adorable and appropriately child-like, while the toothy, bug-eyed crew is fiercely funny, especially when they are festooned with jewels and gold chains from their big haul. Ages 3–5. [em]Author’s agent: Kathleen Rushall, Marsal Lyon Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Aug.) [/em]