Set sail for a hairy adventure. Sure, pirates are rough and tough and stinky. But after one particularly rowdy birthday party, even Backbeard must admit that it's time for him to buy a new suit. With the local clothing shop out of all the traditional pirate garb, even a pirate as ornery as Backbeard can't always get what he wants. Backbeard's unusual new birthday suit will either make him the laughingstock of the whole ship, or the most stylish pirate to ever raise the Jolly Roger. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

K-Gr 2âÇôThe crew of Backbeard's ship, Five O'Clock Shadow, has thrown him a birthday party, and a good time is had by allâÇôscratching, spitting, breaking bottles, and singing. When the festivities are over, Backbeard is filthier than usual and decides that he needs a new suit of clothes. The shop in town is out of pirate garb, so he ends up dressed like a dandy, in a straw boater and pink waistcoat. The crew fails to recognize him, and another brawl ensues as Backbeard proves that despite his attire he is âÇ£still the hairiest pirate to sail the five seas.âÇ  The dimwit jokes get old fairly quickly in this thin plot. Of more interest are McElligott's illustrations. Using pencil, fabric, photography, and digital techniques, the pictures, which keep the chaos neatly contained in frames, have a variety of textures and, in some cases, a three-dimensional effect. There are, however, many more inviting and involving pirate tales available, including Jan Adkins's What If You Met a Pirate? (Roaring Brook, 2004), Brett Helquist's Roger, the Jolly Pirate (HarperCollins, 2004), and Melinda Long's How I Became a Pirate (Harcourt, 2003), making this one a marginal addition.âÇôGrace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

K-Gr. 2. Backbeard is the hairiest, toughest pirate ever, but following a particularly rowdy birthday party, even he admits that he's a mess and it's that time for new duds. The clothing store doesn't have pirate gear, but it does have a straw boater, colorfully patterned trousers, a coat, and a pig--not the look Backbeard expected though one that brings both surprises and delights. Pirate fans will enjoy this witty tale about a coarse pirate who discovers his inner fashionista; it juxtaposes traditional pirate characters (Sweaty McGhee, Mad Garlic Jack, etc.) and dialogue ( Drivelswigger! ) with a glimpse at a villian's softer side ( Do your worst, you barnacled scalawags! . . . But wrinkle my suit and you'll swab the deck for a year! ). McElligott's mixed-media art is a joy, incorporating pattern, texture, and detailed, cartoonlike characters with scanned photographic images and sepia-toned borders that add depth and vintage flavor to a cheerful package. ShelleRosenfeld. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.