K-Gr 2 Big Pirate Pete and his parrot, Igor, loudly find their way into the local library where their map indicates a buried treasure. Library Lou, the quick-witted librarian, requests that Pete shower, change clothes, and come back quietly the next day. She teaches Pete about the 25 letters besides the "X" and shows him how they work together to form words. Pete finds his treasure in books by Dr. Seuss, Mother Goose collections, and Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" series. He discovers classics like Treasure Island as well as the nonfiction section. After becoming a voracious reader, he returns to the library to thank Lou for helping him discover the riches of reading. Lou hangs a sign on the library door that says, "Pirates Allowed." Detailed color cartoon illustrations of characters and settings in sharp contrast lend themselves to conversations about strong character types and reading anywhere (including on a pile of rocks surrounded by seagulls). Rhyming text and steady pacing make this book a good read-aloud for Talk Like a Pirate Day or National Library Week. Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa

Library Lou promises treasure to pirate Big Pete, but only if he'll behave himself and let her teach him to read; otherwise, he's banned from the premises. Through a lengthy rhyming text that maintains its meter impressively, Pete learns that books are the real treasure. Cartoonish illustrations use light and shadow well to create dimension.