Filth and piracy walk hand in hand when a ship's captain avoids all contact with water. The fact that Monty the Malodorous can't swim is a closely guarded secret, and like anyone living a lie, he's perfected the art of faking it. As he puts it, "Real pirates don't bathe! Yar-har-har!" Things grow complicated, however, when Monty falls in love with a mermaid named Meg. Though she's happy to be his friend, a dinner date is swiftly rejected: "You're a real nice pirate, Monty, but you smell like stinky boots." The pirate is distraught, but far worse is in store when a giant octopus nabs Meg and aquaphobic Monty is the sole witness. Can love overcome fear? While this may sound like a standard tale of a maiden in distress, the story makes sure to require that Monty be rescued as frequently as his fishy love. Monty is portrayed in gentle watercolors as a fox alongside an all-animal crew that's also notable for its independence from disability stereotypes. Meg, in contrast, is dark-skinned, distinctly zaftig, armpit-haired, and frequently seen with a book in her hands. This odd-couple tale has a sweetness that makes it more than its standard face-your-fears message. Above-parrrrrr imaginings. (Picture book. 4-7)

PreS-Gr 2 Captain Monty stinks. Not at being a pirate, he's great at that. But he smells really bad. While the other pirates bathe in the ocean, Month stays aboard because he can't swim. While gazing through his telescope one day, Monty spies a beautiful, curvy, tattooed mermaid, Meg. Their relationship grows quickly; Monty tells corny jokes and Meg shows him the best fishing spots. Monty is impressed by her intelligence; her superb swimming has him swooning. Monty asks her to have dinner with him, but his stench causes her to lose her appetite. One afternoon as he waves to Meg, a huge tentacle reaches up and pulls her down under! With no one around, Monty must take the plunge to try and save her. Together they tickle the beastly octopus into submission. Meg swims Monty to shore and now that he smells fresh and clean, asks him to dinner. He says yes, as long as she will teach him to swim. With illustrations that are fondly reminiscent of Richard Scarry and an entertaining text, this title is sure to be popular. VERDICT Make room on your shelves for a book that works just as well for storytime as it does for one-on-one readings. Emily E. Lazio, The New York Public Library