Yo Ho Ho, Halloween!

With the school Halloween parade approaching, macaroni penguin Tony Baloney opts to purchase a pirate costume from a store, rather than make a homemade one with his family. Over four brisk chapters, Tony’s enthusiasm gets the best of him, and the components of his costume are soon tattered, in pieces, or missing. “The trash truck ran over the hook because it was left in the street by someone completely irresponsible, or maybe me,” a dejected Tony explains to his stuffed buddy, Dandelion. Luckily, Tony’s family responds to his predicament with crafty ideas instead of reprimands. Like Tony’s previous early readers, this one nimbly bridges picture book and chapter book territory, as Fotheringham’s vivid digital artwork and Ryan’s knowing dialogue gently illustrate Tony’s realization that a pirate’s life is far better with a trustworthy crew at your side. Ages 5–7. Author’s agent: Kendra Marcus, Bookstop Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Pat Hackett, Pat Hackett Artist Representatives. (June)