About the Holiday

Ahoy mateys! Welcome to what may arrrguably be the most fun holiday of the year. You might think that this most treasured of days got its start shipboard on the bounding main, but it actually began in the walled confines of a racquetball court, where a group of guys were doing…well what a group of guys do to encourage each other—toss around pirate phrases. They decided the idea was too good to keep on the court, so they designated September 19^th as Talk Like a Pirate Day. They then alerted humorist Dave Barry, who spread word of this day far and wide. Now it’s a favorite of young and old alike. So get out there and do some talkin’ ye scalliwags!

Pirate & Penguin

Written by Mike Allegra | Illustrated by Jenn Harney

When a penguin hopping down a glacier on the title page, slips and tumbles onto a passing pirate ship on the first page, the captain, a “lonely old pirate” who’s “been searching the Seven Seas for a parrot pal” delights in such serendipity that has brought him this perfect treasure. But looking a bit closer, the captain decides an improvement is in order. He pulls out his red, blue, and yellow paint buckets, and in no time the black-and-white penguin is transformed into a pretty bird.

Of course, much is expected of a pirate parrot, and the captain wastes no time in directing his new companion to “set yerself on me stout shoulder . . ..” The penguin gives this the old college try by latching onto the pirate’s peg leg and climbing his way up bit by bit only to find no “stout shoulder” at the top to prevent his slow slide back to deck with hilarious results. Disappointed, the pirate moves on to teaching his pet the language of pirates, but this parrot can’t repeat one word. No “Ahoy, mateys.” No “Mizzenmast.” No “Hornswoggle.” Not even a hearty “Booty.” At long last in response to the captain’s haranguing, the newly minted “parrot” offers the only word he knows: “HOOOONK!” The captain, with lowered expectations already, acknowledges that “‘honk’ be a word, I suppose,” and moves on.

But the penguin, while a natural seabird, is not a natural pirate. Things don’t go so well with the sail, and when the captain tosses him a cracker, the penguin greets this morsel with a disapproving “HUH-HWAAK PTOOI!” For the captain, this is beyond the pale, and he lays into the penguin with a squall-force “SNOGGERS!” and announces the charges against him for spitting out the “last crumb o’ food” onboard ship: “‘Tis mutiny! Insubordination! Subparrrrr table manners!” Oof! No wonder the penguin decides to walk the plank. Despite the captain’s change of heart, the penguin dives off the board.

Shocked, the pirate is contrite and, staring into the murky depths, begs for forgiveness. He sits, despondent, against the ship’s railing until he hears that familiar “Honk” and perks up. He grabs the penguin—now washed clean of paint—with joy, only afterward discovering that while his new crew member may not have the talents of the usual pirate pet, his fish-catching skills prove much more valuable.

Mike Allegra’s story is a full treasure chest—no fool’s doubloons here. Although his captain bounces through a full cargo hold of emotions, from happy surprise to pain to frustration and anger, as his new “parrot” defies pirate traditions, in the end he always demonstrates acceptance and kindness. Allegra’s talent for humor shines throughout with hilarious dialogue that’s a joy to read aloud and will have kids and adults laughing at each page. Kids will love parroting back pirate speak like “Thar ye arrrrr,” “rotting rapscallion,” and “scurvy scallywag.” And who wouldn’t want to let loose with a hearty “Snoggers!” when things just don’t go quite right?

Jenn Harney’s pirate, scrawny, cleverly bespectacled, well-coifed with puffy ponytails front and back, and given to exaggerated movements is as silly and giggle-inducing as a great physical comedian. His mystified expression, droopy pants, skull-and-crossbones “undergarments,” and disproportionate proportions are a perfect fit for Allegra’s humorous dialogue. The stalwart little penguin is adorable whether painted in parroty colors or sporting his natural tux. Harney gives readers plenty to linger over on each page while they take this unlikely pair into their hearts. After all, no one can resist a pirate who wears a cork on his hook’s pointy tip.

In this perfect read aloud, Mike Allegra and Jenn Harney remind us that sometimes what we get—no matter how ludicrous it may seem—is just what we need, and that accepting others just the way they arrrrrr makes for rewarding friendships.

Pirate & Penguin is sure to become an often-chosen favorite that families will want to add to their home bookshelves. Public and school libraries are sure to see the book enjoy continuous circulation.

Ages 4 – 8

Page Street Kids, 2023 | ISBN 978-1645677123

Pirate & Penguin 2 Few Crew

Written by Mike Allegra | Illustrated by Jenn Harney

On a day when the becalmed seas finally produce a good wind for sailing, the captain shouts out for “all hands on deck!” His trusty “ground parrot” answers the call, swinging into view on a halyard. “Ah! There be all me hands,” the captain confirms. But the fair wind soon turns into a squall, and the two find themselves running from bowsprit to poop deck as the pirate yells the orders: “Man the helm!” “Batten the hatches!” “Strike the mizzen!” “Warble a sea chanty!” But the storm proves too much for this barebones crew, and the captain decides he needs more help.

Through his spyglass, the captain sees a port loaded with seamen he’s sure will want to sign up. He writes out an employment ad: “WanteD: 4 PiRatey pairs o’ StRong ArrRrrRrms,” and, noting penguin’s waggling approval, agrees that they’ll “be gettin’ a crew in two shakes of a first mate’s booty bottom.” But when they moor their boat at the pier between two imposing ships, no potential crew mates show any interest, and the captain reconsiders the condition of his ship.

Pirate and penguin get right to work making improvements. The Jolly Roger now sports a smiley face; the canon shoots pink bubbles, and a ship’s wheel swing and a disco ball hang from the yardarms. There are also balloons, colorful murals, and a slide that curves from the crow’s nest right to the briny deep. Sure enough, a crowd of eager potential mateys gather on the dock. But are they there to mark their X on the Articles of Agreement? No! They are there to laugh “HAW! HAW! HAW!” They think the ship and the pirate are “goofy,” and the parrot “extra-goofy.” But this insult is a brig too far, and the captain sends them running with a few choice words.

But what’s this? An octopus stowaway with just the requisite four pairs of arrrrrrrms the ship needs! Ready to set sail, the captain directs his crew to “man their stations,” only to discover through some talented tentacle typography that his new recruit is a “she/her.” Suddenly, there’s not a minute to lose as another squall is upon them. They quickly “man—and woman—” their stations and sail toward calmer seas, leaving behind the inhospitable port and pirates who can only pine for the fun that could have been.

Pirate & Penguin 2 Few Crew be as see-worthy a sequel as ever set sail. Mike Allegra has created another laugh-out-loud story with plenty more pirate sayings, puns, and slapstick humor while keeping the focus on fun, acceptance, and sticking up for friends. Kids will love the improvements the captain makes to his ship, and the addition of an octopus crew member lets Allegra riff with tongue-tied hilarity.

Getting to set sail on Jenn Harney’s pirate ship with the captain and penguin once more is like an exciting and comforting homecoming. Pirate and his “ground parrot” now work in sync as they try to batten the hatches in the face of another squall and while adding fun touches to the ship’s amenities. Here and there readers may spy a little foreshadowing of the welcome surprise to come. The image of the captain’s little ship moored between two mammoth ships will resonate with kids often jostled between adults and navigating the world around them. Harney’s bright colors, frothy pink bubbles, and corkscrew slide make this pirate ship far and away the merriest on the Seven Seas. 

A first-rate matey to Pirate & Penguin, Pirate & Penguin 2 Few Crew will be an often-requested addition to home and library bookshelves. For those looking for a gift for birthdays or the holidays, this pirate-y pairing be treasure indeed.

Ages 4 – 8

Page Street Kids, 2024 | ISBN 978-1645678625

About the Author

Mike Allegra is the author of the picture book, Sarah Gives Thanks. Under the pseudonym Roy L. Hinuss, Mike not-so secretly pens the Prince Not-So Charming chapter book series. He was the winner of the 2014 Highlights for Children Fiction Contest, a recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council for the Arts, and a nominee for a 2017 Pushcart Prize. Visit him at mikeallegra.com and on Instagram.

About the Illustrator

Jenn Harney is an illustrator and toy designer whose work has been featured in Highlights for Children magazine. Jenn lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband, her daughter, a dog named Steve, and a fish with nine lives. She is the author of the Hazy Bloom series, including Hazy Bloom and The Tomorrow Power and Hazy Bloom and The Pet Project. Visit her at jkharney.blogspot.com and on Instagram.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day Activity

Sail for Pirate Treasure Maze

Join the crew of scallywags to pick up supplies on your way to finding a treasure chest full of gold in this printable maze.

Sail for Pirate Treasure Maze Puzzle | Sail for Pirate Treasure Maze Solution

You can purchase Pirate & Penguin at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

You can purchase Pirate & Penguin 2 Few Crew at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review