Roger, the Jolly Pirate [Hardcover]

Brett Helquist (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Roger is a lousy pirate. In fact, whenever there is any real pirating to do, the other pirates scowl and send him away.

Roger wishes he could think of something – anything – that would prove he is a good pirate. So when, in the middle of a great battle, Roger has a jolly idea, no–one – not even Roger himself – has a clue that he will soon change the face of pirating forever!

This is the first picture book both written and illustrated by Brett Helquist, who is best known for his drawings in Lemony Snicket's bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events. Here, his full–colour spreads capture fierce battles, magnificent ships, and the warmth and humour of one very unusual pirate.

Ages 4–7

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Roger, a "lousy pirate," is derisively given the nickname "Jolly Roger" by his shipmates. Although he tries to be a proper buccaneer, he is inevitably sent below deck whenever there is serious marauding to be done. When the Admiral attacks the ship, Roger is once again sent to the hold. In an attempt to win the favor of his crewmates, he bakes a cake in a cannon he mistakes for a pot. The explosive result-Roger flying above deck amid flour, smoke, and powder, looking exactly like a screaming skeleton-sends the Admiral's men leaping off their vessel convinced that the pirates have a ghost on their side. In recognition of his feat, his shipmates stitch up a flag that has gone down in history as the "Jolly Roger." This goofy pourquoi tale is told with a rhythm and bounce that begs to be read aloud. Helquist uses cinematic perspectives and compositions in his watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations-extreme close-ups, split-screen glimpses, and sweeping full-bleed vistas are interspersed with views akin to peeping through a telescope. His success at capturing motion in many of the pictures adds to the movielike quality of the art. Pirate lovers and children who enjoy a good adventure will relish the climactic battle scene. A rousing and humorous tale.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. For a pirate on the high seas, being "jolly" is an insult: "He smiled instead of scowling, and he grinned instead of growling." The other pirates don't want Jolly Roger around when there is serious fighting to be done, and they send him into the hold. Then comes the day Jolly bakes a cake for his mates with everything he can find, and the concoction explodes and shoots him back on deck covered in flour and soot. The terrified enemy abandons ship, and Jolly is a hero at last--even if he still can't "tell the starboard from the larboard, the windward from the leeward or the mizzen from the mast." With scenes of swords crossed in battle and wild slapstick action, the illustrator of the popular Lemony Snicket series puts comic disaster into a lively picture book that's just for children who will appreciate the sweet bumbling outsider who isn't bad enough to get respect. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0066238056
• ISBN-13: 978-0066238050
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,705,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rollicking Good Fun, November 19, 2004

By 

Cathytg "cathytg" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roger, the Jolly Pirate (Hardcover)

My three-year-old is entranced by pirates, and this book is a big winner. Roger's tale is funny and charming, and the piratical doings are not too scary for the very young. Helquist's art is spectacular, and each pirate has his own distinct, elegantly exaggerated look. It's nice to see an "illustrator's book" where equal care has been taken with the text; the story bounces along with compulsive readability.

Like Roger's ill-fated cake, this book has made a big bang at our house!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Big Hit At Our House, January 10, 2005

By 

Elijah Archer (San Rafael, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roger, the Jolly Pirate (Hardcover)

My almost 4 year old has recently become entranced with pirates, and this book has been a big hit at our house. The illustrations are wonderful, the story is witty and fun to read out loud for parents, and it's neither too realistically gory nor too white-washy as far as what real pirates were like. We like singing the song at the end too. Great for any kid that likes pirates (or even those who don't--it's just a fun story).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable story, November 10, 2005

By 

ardnam "ardnam" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roger, the Jolly Pirate (Hardcover)

This is an adorable children's book that is thoroughly enjoyed by children and adults alike! Cute humor is interspersed in this story of a jolly pirate. As one might imagine, a jolly pirate is not exactly ideal--or is it? And is there a reason for a pirate flag to be called The Jolly Roger? Read this book to find out. A great book to accompany this one is How I became a Pirate. This story has become a favorite in my second grade classroom. It was a great bargain. Share this book with a special child in your life. I love books that can combine humor with a plot that hooks kids; this is one of those books.