Roger, the Jolly Pirate

Roger, the Jolly Pirate, Brett Helquist, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2004, p. 31. Picture book.

Book Summary: Roger was a lousy pirate because he knew very little about ships and never struck fear in the heart of any sailor, until one day when his shipmates were in grave danger while he was below decks baking a cake.

Brett is both illustrator and author of this book. The pictures are great! Some of the pirates are very “evil” looking and have a traditional sense of “darkness” about them. Then you have Roger’s toothless grin—he’s rather cute when he smiles. On the other hand, he does look pretty sad when he doesn’t meet the expectations of the other pirates. It really made me laugh when he decided to make a cake (of flour, salt pork, fish, whiskey or rum, and onions!) inside the barrel of a cannon. Of course he lit it! Of course he made a mess everywhere! And then to have his floured face seen as a ghost that scared off the Admiral, well that was priceless. Now his face raises fear in the hearts of sailors across the seven seas!