Pirate & Penguin 2 Few Crew

by Mike Allegra, Jenn Harney (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Mike Allegra is the author of 17 books for children including the picture books Pirate and Penguin (Page Street, 2023), Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles (Page Street, 2022), Scampers Thinks like a Scientist (Dawn, 2019), Everybody’s Favorite Book (Macmillan, 2018), and Sarah Gives Thanks (Albert Whitman and Company, 2012). He also wrote the chapter book series Kimmie Tuttle (Abdo Books, 2021) and Prince Not-So Charming (Macmillan, 2018-19; pen name: Roy L. Hinuss). Scampers was the winner of Learning Magazine’s 2020 Teacher’s Choice Award and was selected for inclusion in the Literati Kids subscription box. His story, “Harold’s Hat,” was the winner of the 2014 Highlights fiction contest and was published in the July 2015 issue.

Reviews

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids who have read the first book in the series will understand that Pirate's eyesight is not the best, which is why he thinks Penguin is a parrot, a ground parrot. Kids and their parents will love this book, so say Ahoy Matey and step on board and join Pirate and Penguin 2 Few Crew once again as they set out to recruit a crew and prove that, of all the ships at sea, Friendship be the best ship of all! Adventure and bountiful booty await!

Pirate and Penguin sail their small, shabby boat to a dock looking for workers, but they can’t find any takers. So, the ground parrot/penguin does a funny paint job, installs a bubble machine and a giant slide, and the duo tries again to attract a crew. When Pirate sees some men on the dock, he once more tries the usual rough-and-tumble pirates again, but they stick up their noses when Pirate yells, "Ahoy, mateys! Now, who be wantin’ to sign up for the funniest flagship on the Seven Seas?"

They laugh and make fun of his ship and Penguin. Everyone will giggle when Pirate fires his cannon instead of an ear-splitting BOOM! A bounty o’ briney pink bloobles pours from the cannon like an overflowing bubble bath. "HA! That’s right! Ye better be runnin’, ye yellow-bellied landlubbers!  But when he turns around, he sees a female octopus seeking employment on the deck that the workers left behind. She is a perfect fit for the unusual seafaring friends. Pirate was only looking for four hands, so he loved that she had so many arms. So, with a Yo-ho-ho, they sail north to find more adventures and booty.

Jenn Harney's illustrations bring out the fun and chaos on board. Readers can read this book even if they haven't read the first one, but I'm sure they will want to find the first one when they finish. I hope Page Street Kids decides to make this a three-book series. Besides buying the book for all the belly laughs, it would be great for "Speak Like a Pirate Day."

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of the 1st Pirate & Penguin picture book, this one has an atypical pirate and his “ground parrot” searching for extra hands to sail their small, shabby boat but can’t seem to attract anyone. So, the ground parrot/penguin does a happy paint job, installs a bubble machine and a huge slide and the duo tries again. Once more, the usual rough and tumble pirates turn up their noses on the cheerful colors and fun leaving only an octopus to seek employment with the unusual sea-faring friends. But the newly formed trio appreciates each other for all they have to offer and make the perfect crew for sailing the seven seas.

Fun story, lots of details in the illustrations making opportunities for conversation and imagination far beyond the simple story. A message of appreciating and valuing each others’ differences is clear. Recommended for ages 2-7.

Thanks for providing a review copy, Page Street Kids.

[Charessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Page Street Kids for the complimentary copy!

This is an utterly delightful book, I love it.

Our pirate and his "ground parrot" friend (a penguin) are looking for new crew mates, but no one is taking them seriously. Worse, they make fun of Parrot, causing our fun-loving, rolling-with-the-punches pirate to have a bout of uncharacteristic anger in defense of his friend. If they want to be bullies, then we don't need them!

Of course, it has a happy ending that I found so cute. I thoroughly enjoyed it all, down to the last page. It also has awesome art!

This will make a very fun story time, filled with all sorts of pirate talk that will no doubt get kids laughing and repeating it.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Page Street Kids for the advanced review copy of this delightful book. Fun, colorful illustrations accompany this adorable, whimsical story in a piratey adventure on the best ship in the seven seas. The crew might be a bit unconventional, but for this ship — it’s exactly what is needed. Looking forward to sharing this awesome adventure with my bunch of seadogs and scallywags (aka students)!

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are ye yearning to set sail with the most fun flagship on the Seven Seas? Join Pirate & Penguin on their newest adventure seeking strong arrrrrrrms to upgrade their ship. Will an eight-legged artist be the perfect newcomer to join their crew?

Lots of laughs for landlubbers and sailors alike!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👧🏻reviews: This book is so funny, beautiful and colorful illustrations and packed with stunning storyline. I had an amazing time reading this cute book. I think this is an awesome book for kindergarteners to look at the illustrations and pick up the moral of the story.

[Agent Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Page Street Publishing for a copy of this beautiful children's book. This would make a great addition for Talk like a Pirate Day. The illustrations are colorful and vibrant. But for my daughter and I, it was just a little to too busy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"that slide did look fun" priceless

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is very simple, but this stands out because of the funny dialogue and really strong character voices. This one is best as a dramatic read-aloud.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute!