PreS-Gr 2 First mate Hugh has readied his vessel and even tidied up his motley crew. Now, all he needs is a captain to lead them all on an ocean adventure. From the crow's nest he spots his first potential candidate, a promising fellow with a hook for a left hand. Upon closer inspection, though, "the man [says], 'I'm no pirate. This here's a pleasure boat. And what you took to be a hook is a hanger for my coat.'" Further disappointments like a potential treasure map-turned-shopping list threaten to derail the determined Hugh until one legitimate swashbuckler points out that Hugh has already been an exceptional leader and should promote himself. Parsons's humorous artwork is full of seafaring details and is as colorful as Jones's pirate vernacular. VERDICT This adventure will please pirate-loving listeners and has the added bonus of a subtle message that a true leader puts in the work first. Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH

First mate Hugh is getting his pirate ship ready for an adventure, and though the crew is ready to take off, they are missing one very important thing: a captain. As the rest of the crew wonders who will step up to the plate, Hugh spies potential candidates and asks, "Are you the Pirate Captain?" But each piratical feature hook for a hand, a parrot perched on a shoulder, a big braided beard rns out to be something else entirely. Page turns reveal Hugh's mistaken assumptions e hook is a coat hanger, the beard is a costume, and so on ich adds a lively bit of comedy. But in a sweet turn, when the crew puts their heads together to appoint a captain, Hugh is in for a big surprise. Parsons' jaunty, full-color acrylic illustrations provide lots of fun and cartoonish detail, and they are a clever companion to Jones' rhyming, sea-shanty-like verses. Youngsters might recognize themselves in Hugh, who overlooks his own leadership abilities, and this maritime romp is an entertaining way to deliver an empowering message.