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Pirate & Penguin
What happens when a pirate, hoping for a parrot, stumbles upon a bird of a duller plumage?
Pirate doesn’t know that Penguin is a penguin. But any bird can sit on a shoulder and squawk “shiver me timbers”…right?
Laugh along with Pirate and Penguin in this high seas tale of mistaken identity and find out whether they’ll find friendship before somebody walks the plank.
Pirate doesn’t know that Penguin is a penguin. But any bird can sit on a shoulder and squawk “shiver me timbers”…right?
Laugh along with Pirate and Penguin in this high seas tale of mistaken identity and find out whether they’ll find friendship before somebody walks the plank.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2023
111 people want to read
About the author
Mike Allegra
21 books17 followersMike 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 30, 2023
One of the funniest books I’ve ever read aloud!
What happens when a pirate, hoping for a parrot, stumbles upon a bird of a duller plumage?
This was a fun one to read. The pirate voice is SPOT ON! With silly moments. Bright illustrations. Swashbuckling fonts. My girls loved every bit of it and now request my pirate voice 🏴☠️
Thank you to @pagestreetkids for sending me a copy of the book.
What happens when a pirate, hoping for a parrot, stumbles upon a bird of a duller plumage?
This was a fun one to read. The pirate voice is SPOT ON! With silly moments. Bright illustrations. Swashbuckling fonts. My girls loved every bit of it and now request my pirate voice 🏴☠️
Thank you to @pagestreetkids for sending me a copy of the book.
November 28, 2023
Thanksgiving weekend family picture book read-aloud fun! (Book 13 of 13.)
A pirate mistakes a penguin for a parrot and tries to make it do all the things he expects parrots to do with amusing results. A very cute story of misunderstanding and friendship. And the pirate and nautical language peppered throughout is fun too!
A pirate mistakes a penguin for a parrot and tries to make it do all the things he expects parrots to do with amusing results. A very cute story of misunderstanding and friendship. And the pirate and nautical language peppered throughout is fun too!
January 16, 2024
With all the pirate lingo, this story is a fun read-aloud for adults, especially the funny-sounding words like “mizzenmast,” “landlubber,” and “hornswoggle.” Busy illustrations might be a bit confusing for younger listeners, especially if they can’t make heads nor tails of the “pirate-y poopie head’s” sailor talk.
June 30, 2023
This is such a fun book to read!
June 22, 2023
Imagine you’re the pirate captain sailing the Seven Seas when a bird tumbles down an iceberg and lands right on your ship. Has to be a parrot, right? After all, you are a pirate and what bird makes the perfect pal? A parrot.
Okay, this one looks like his plumage needs a new coat. And then he needs to perch right on your shoulder like all parrots do. And then he should speak. Right? Well . . . not exactly. He does try, but nothing seems to work just as you expect. But the final straw comes when he spits out the cracker you give him onto the clean deck of your ship and that cracker is all that’s left of your food. This is mutiny and something must be done. But walking the plank?
This is a delightful tale where all the words are spoken by the captain. Depending on the size of the words, young pirates immediately know whether to whisper, speak normally, or shout. The imaginative artwork perfectly captures the story and youngsters can easily tell the story even when some of the pirate’s words are unfamiliar ones. (Even those are wonderful adventures to try rolling around on young pirate tongues.) If you look carefully, you may see skulls and crossbones in unusual places, and just maybe you will find a parrot. But the star of this book is the penguin. (The only negative is the open fire on a ship’s deck, but this is fiction mixed with a little whimsy, so only grown-up pirates will disapprove of this little faux pas.)
Beware: Once young pirates hear Pirate & Penguin, it will certainly become their favorite book either to hear every night before bed or to join in while parents recount the adventure. (It just may become their favorite too.) It definitely deserves five pirate thumbs-up.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Allegra.html)
Okay, this one looks like his plumage needs a new coat. And then he needs to perch right on your shoulder like all parrots do. And then he should speak. Right? Well . . . not exactly. He does try, but nothing seems to work just as you expect. But the final straw comes when he spits out the cracker you give him onto the clean deck of your ship and that cracker is all that’s left of your food. This is mutiny and something must be done. But walking the plank?
This is a delightful tale where all the words are spoken by the captain. Depending on the size of the words, young pirates immediately know whether to whisper, speak normally, or shout. The imaginative artwork perfectly captures the story and youngsters can easily tell the story even when some of the pirate’s words are unfamiliar ones. (Even those are wonderful adventures to try rolling around on young pirate tongues.) If you look carefully, you may see skulls and crossbones in unusual places, and just maybe you will find a parrot. But the star of this book is the penguin. (The only negative is the open fire on a ship’s deck, but this is fiction mixed with a little whimsy, so only grown-up pirates will disapprove of this little faux pas.)
Beware: Once young pirates hear Pirate & Penguin, it will certainly become their favorite book either to hear every night before bed or to join in while parents recount the adventure. (It just may become their favorite too.) It definitely deserves five pirate thumbs-up.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Allegra.html)
May 16, 2023
Mike Allegra's new book is a winner. It is so much fun. Kids love pirates and this pirate is so fun. Children are sure to laugh while looking at each page and listening to this story.
What a great idea to have a lonely pirate who just wants a parrot for his shoulder. When his boat passes an iceberg a penguin falls off and lands on the ships deck, and the Pirate must not see too great, because he believes it's a parrot. I laughed when the pirate paints the penguin red, since he thinks the sun has faded it's feathers. When Penguin spits out Pirate's last cracker crumb, Pirate gets mad and yells, "You be the worst good-fer-nothing parrot I’S Ever Seen!" And Penguin walks out on the plank.
Pirate yells, "Wait! NOOOOOOOO!" Penguin dives into the sea and disappears below the water. Pirate cries, "Curse me terrible temper! I be a rotting rapscallion! A pirate-y poopie head!"... PLEASE FORGIVE MEEEEEE!
Penguin can't sit on his shoulder, he can't talk, he can't trim the sails, he can't even eat a cracker, but he can swim and he returns with a fish for Pirate that saves him from starving. Pirate says, "Ye the strangest Parrot, but I like ye just the way ye arrrr!"
I love how Mike used so many pirate words. I can just hear the children running around the house giggling and yelling, "Batten down the hatches, Landlubbers." The addition of a real parrot sitting on the iceberg watching the ship sail away at the end of the book was a nice touch. I wonder if that was Jenn's idea. I always love her art. She did another stellar job creating the illustrations for PIRATE & PENGUIN.
You can read Mike's journey with the book on Writing and Illustrating.
What a great idea to have a lonely pirate who just wants a parrot for his shoulder. When his boat passes an iceberg a penguin falls off and lands on the ships deck, and the Pirate must not see too great, because he believes it's a parrot. I laughed when the pirate paints the penguin red, since he thinks the sun has faded it's feathers. When Penguin spits out Pirate's last cracker crumb, Pirate gets mad and yells, "You be the worst good-fer-nothing parrot I’S Ever Seen!" And Penguin walks out on the plank.
Pirate yells, "Wait! NOOOOOOOO!" Penguin dives into the sea and disappears below the water. Pirate cries, "Curse me terrible temper! I be a rotting rapscallion! A pirate-y poopie head!"... PLEASE FORGIVE MEEEEEE!
Penguin can't sit on his shoulder, he can't talk, he can't trim the sails, he can't even eat a cracker, but he can swim and he returns with a fish for Pirate that saves him from starving. Pirate says, "Ye the strangest Parrot, but I like ye just the way ye arrrr!"
I love how Mike used so many pirate words. I can just hear the children running around the house giggling and yelling, "Batten down the hatches, Landlubbers." The addition of a real parrot sitting on the iceberg watching the ship sail away at the end of the book was a nice touch. I wonder if that was Jenn's idea. I always love her art. She did another stellar job creating the illustrations for PIRATE & PENGUIN.
You can read Mike's journey with the book on Writing and Illustrating.
July 17, 2023
A penguin lands on a pirate's ship deck only to be confused for a parrot by the lonely pirate. The pirate is at first elated, then confused, then upset by the subpar parroting of his newfound feathered friend. But has his temper ruined his chance at friendship?
Quite funny. The illustrations are fantastic. The penguin doesn't say a word (unless you count "honk") but the illustrations fully convey its confusion about the situation. The pirate throws around a lot of big terms, like mizzenmast, hornswoggle, and insubordination so adult readers be prepared to explain things to littles. Very cute and funny. Hand this to pirate and penguin lovers.
Notes on content: A series of unfortunate events results in the pirates pants getting loose and a view of the pirate's undies.
Quite funny. The illustrations are fantastic. The penguin doesn't say a word (unless you count "honk") but the illustrations fully convey its confusion about the situation. The pirate throws around a lot of big terms, like mizzenmast, hornswoggle, and insubordination so adult readers be prepared to explain things to littles. Very cute and funny. Hand this to pirate and penguin lovers.
Notes on content: A series of unfortunate events results in the pirates pants getting loose and a view of the pirate's undies.
August 7, 2023
With a galleon full of pirate-y puns, Pirate & Penguin brings together an odd couple like you’ve never seen before. Pirate tries his hardest to make Penguin into the best pirate’s parrot ever. But nothing is working. Penguin is, well, a penguin after all and doesn’t do anything parrots do, like talk, eat crackers or even fly. Pirate is at the end of his rope when Penguin does what penguins do best…be himself. And, in the end, that’s exactly what Pirate loves.
Filled to the brim with the swashbuckling language of pirates and a hilarious match made at sea, Pirate & Penguin is full of laughs and warmth. Full of colorful, sea-themed illustrations with lots of details for young readers to discover, this is a hilarious story that’s lots of fun to read out loud!
Filled to the brim with the swashbuckling language of pirates and a hilarious match made at sea, Pirate & Penguin is full of laughs and warmth. Full of colorful, sea-themed illustrations with lots of details for young readers to discover, this is a hilarious story that’s lots of fun to read out loud!
August 22, 2023
🏴☠️ PIRATE & PENGUIN 🐧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was another cute purchase for Wolfie's birthday (tomorrow) in an attempt to start diversifying his bookshelf. I saw the book tour for this and it sounded cute. Plus, what (nearly) 4-year-old boy doesn't love pirates?
I loved the way the whole book was in pirate language; I thought this was a fun way to engage young children in reading and a chance for adults to be a bit silly when reading aloud to them. The grumpy pirate was amusing and endearing.
He thought he'd struck gold when he found what he thought was an odd-looking parrot companion, but soon discovers that he doesn't do anything parrot-like at all and his frustration grows throughout.
This was a cute insight into friendship and, although people might not always be what you expected, they can be great if you really see and accept them just as they are.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was another cute purchase for Wolfie's birthday (tomorrow) in an attempt to start diversifying his bookshelf. I saw the book tour for this and it sounded cute. Plus, what (nearly) 4-year-old boy doesn't love pirates?
I loved the way the whole book was in pirate language; I thought this was a fun way to engage young children in reading and a chance for adults to be a bit silly when reading aloud to them. The grumpy pirate was amusing and endearing.
He thought he'd struck gold when he found what he thought was an odd-looking parrot companion, but soon discovers that he doesn't do anything parrot-like at all and his frustration grows throughout.
This was a cute insight into friendship and, although people might not always be what you expected, they can be great if you really see and accept them just as they are.
June 21, 2023
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a pirate in possession of a good ship, must be in want of a parrot. And our titular pirate is no exception. So when a penguin plops onto the deck of his ship, he immediately assumes this bird is a parrot and that “the blazin’ sun seems ta have faded yer parroty plumage.” Thus begins the start of a rocky relationship. The penguin seems less than impressed with the paint job that is meant to restore the parrot colors. The pirate is frustrated by the penguin’s inability to perch on his shoulder or repeat piratey words like hornswoggle, doubloons, or booty. But when things come to a head, will they be able to compromise or will one of them wind up overboard?
Illustrations show the penguin in rainbow colors (after the paint job), the pirate’s “UNDERGARRRRMENTS!” with a lovely pattern of skull and crossbones, and quite a bit of physical comedy as they interact. Pirate terms are used throughout the book along with lots of “arrrrrrr” sounds. (No pirate can speak without those.) This is a book perfect for read-aloud fun. It would be great for Talk Like a Pirate Day, as part of a book set with other pirate-themed stories, or to compare/contrast with Tacky the Penguin (another odd bird). I cannot wait to read this with my students.
Illustrations show the penguin in rainbow colors (after the paint job), the pirate’s “UNDERGARRRRMENTS!” with a lovely pattern of skull and crossbones, and quite a bit of physical comedy as they interact. Pirate terms are used throughout the book along with lots of “arrrrrrr” sounds. (No pirate can speak without those.) This is a book perfect for read-aloud fun. It would be great for Talk Like a Pirate Day, as part of a book set with other pirate-themed stories, or to compare/contrast with Tacky the Penguin (another odd bird). I cannot wait to read this with my students.
November 6, 2023
A pirate sails to the arctic and comes across the strangest looking parrot he's ever seen. He attempts to change his new friend--in terms of coloration and speaking abilities--and gets frustrated that this parrot is just so odd. But when the penguin appears to jump off the plank, the pirate rethinks the way he's gone about making friends and realizes that simply having a friend is better than trying to make them the right kind of friend.
With adorable illustrations that begin on the endmatter, this book is sure to bring smiles to kids' faces--especially if you do voices to go along with it.
With adorable illustrations that begin on the endmatter, this book is sure to bring smiles to kids' faces--especially if you do voices to go along with it.
June 9, 2023
A silly picture book that makes for a great read aloud and would be especially great for pirate-loving children. Full of piratey goodness and shenanigans, this story simply follows a pirate that mistakes a penguin for a parrot. It's not a story we've seen before, though -- this story feels like a fresh take. Hilarity ensues and ultimately the two learn to be friends. This isn't a picture book with any kind of message, but a light read that will be great for bedtime laughter.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Page Street Kids. Opinions are my own.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Page Street Kids. Opinions are my own.
August 19, 2023
Cute story about a penguin who flops onto a pirate ship and how the pirate tries to change the penguin and make him into a parrot, instead of just accepting him for who and what he is a penguin. My issue was just the layout of the book. Again, with others being published, I found it difficult to know where my focus should be and I had to look at the images so hard and long to decipher what was really going on. I guess my eyes aren't used to all-over-the-place dialogue, like with graphic novels. But I guess that's the new style that's attracting children. My rating - 1/5
April 22, 2026
Very cute friendship story about expectations. Pirate expects penguin to act like a parrot, but learns that it's ok to be yourself. I will say, the words are almost exclusively "pirate" talk, so if that isn't your comfort zone this may not be the read aloud book for you. But, it's fun to keep character and use all the pirate-isms. Note there is mention of "poop" ("poop deck" and "poopie head") if that may offend. But this is a great book for pirate fans. Could work for a storytime or a one-on-one read aloud. Themes would be pirates, penguins, or friendship.
July 10, 2023
This lighthearted pirate yarn is spiked with every piratical cliche you've ever heard, such as:
* Ahoy
* Avast
* And shiver me timbers.
Only here the intent is humor, neither realism nor seriousness. How will this deadly serious, parrot-seeking pirate adjust to the reality that he's got himself a penguin, not a parrot?
If this premise chimes with your sense of humor, you're going to love this book. And so, in your honor, I'll give this picture book FIVE STARS.
* Ahoy
* Avast
* And shiver me timbers.
Only here the intent is humor, neither realism nor seriousness. How will this deadly serious, parrot-seeking pirate adjust to the reality that he's got himself a penguin, not a parrot?
If this premise chimes with your sense of humor, you're going to love this book. And so, in your honor, I'll give this picture book FIVE STARS.
January 12, 2024
I used this book in my pirate storytime and it went OK. The pictures are a little hard to see and understand, especially from a distance, but this is somewhat true up close as well. That made the story a bit harder to tell. In a few places the pirate voice seems a little off as well "'Tis be the last straw!" for example, since 'tis usually means it's, and I associate "thar she blows!" with whalers rather than pirates. But, it was still a fun book to read, and worked well for a letter "P" day!
September 6, 2024
A pirate longing for a parrot pal mistakes a penguin for a parrot. Trying to make it more parroty, he paints its feathers, tries to get it to sit on his shoulder, and tries to teach it to talk like a parrot. When the penguin spits out the cracker that the pirate gives him it’s the last straw, and Penguin walks off the edge of the plank. Will the pirate ever find a ‘parrot’ friend? Lots of fun pirate-y language and lots of laughs make this a fun book for anyone who loves pirates.
May 18, 2023
I received an electronic ARC through the SLJ Day of Dialogue.
Humorous look at what happens when a pirate mistakes a penguin for a parrot. Reader will laugh as the story unfolds and they see how the pirate captain gets more and more confused until the penguin brings him fish as a meal. I love the last page as the parrot looks on with his suitcase. One last laugh.
Humorous look at what happens when a pirate mistakes a penguin for a parrot. Reader will laugh as the story unfolds and they see how the pirate captain gets more and more confused until the penguin brings him fish as a meal. I love the last page as the parrot looks on with his suitcase. One last laugh.
August 12, 2023
A lonely pirate thinks he has found his parrot companion when a bird falls onto his ship. He does everything to groom his parrot but the parrot is not a parrot at all. Silliness ensues as the bird tries to cooperate but falls short of expectations. Lovely pirate jargon and fun ending where the bird does his best the please the pirate. It'll have your children speaking pirate words.
February 12, 2024
This is both hilarious and heartwarming! I loved the pirate speak and silliness. The misunderstanding that leads to all the action is clever. I really enjoyed how the penguin hears the loneliness and the hunger of his potential new friend and surprises the reader with an unexpected twist at the end that made me smile.
August 23, 2024
If you need a book for Talk Like a Pirate day, this is it! Adorable illustrations as a pirate tries to take on a penguin as his very own parrot. He paints him in bright colors, asks him to stand on his shoulder, and tries to get him to say pirate thins. This book works great with text bubbles and ends with an acceptance of differences for both penguin and pirate.
July 6, 2023
A pirate picks up a penguin to be his new parrot. Wackiness ensues.
The art is great at times and unreadable at others. The story is pretty funny. I have a problem in general with the picture book conceit of only one pirate manning a boat.
The art is great at times and unreadable at others. The story is pretty funny. I have a problem in general with the picture book conceit of only one pirate manning a boat.
August 24, 2023
A case of mistaken identity leads to Penguins life at sea, and opportunity to try different parrot tricks and treats.
Why I started this book: Eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. I love a good pirate book and always enjoy literary hijinks.
Why I finished it: Awesome illustrations.
Why I started this book: Eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. I love a good pirate book and always enjoy literary hijinks.
Why I finished it: Awesome illustrations.
October 19, 2023
Can a penguin be a parrot? Can a penguin be a friend?
A fun book where pirate does all the talking and he has all the feels - excitement, anger, sorrow, joy.
If I were reading this aloud, I would skip over the "pirate-y poopie head" line.
Reviewed from a library copy.
A fun book where pirate does all the talking and he has all the feels - excitement, anger, sorrow, joy.
If I were reading this aloud, I would skip over the "pirate-y poopie head" line.
Reviewed from a library copy.
November 11, 2023
A funny book about a pirate who thinks a penguin is a parrot. Lots of pirate puns and small speech bubbles. You would have to practice a few times before reading this to a class. Best for one-on-one story.
March 31, 2024
Grow your vocabulary in this all-dialogue story about a penguin who is mistaken as a parrot by a pirate. For those who enjoy reading the illustrations and looking for the extra details, checkout the endpapers.
January 30, 2026
If you want to get into pirate character, this is THE book. Every page makes you talk in your best pirate voice. It has all the classic pirate sayings. It’s funny and the illustrations are very well done. Some of the sayings went over my 2YOs head
Read
June 27, 2023Turn/Level: B(1)/2.5
Pirates, Penguins, Not Parrots
Be sure to read the whole thing in a pirate voice.
Pirates, Penguins, Not Parrots
Be sure to read the whole thing in a pirate voice.
July 20, 2023
Loved it
August 15, 2023
Avast mateys - this is a swash-buckling fun read for pirate pals, penguin fans, and painters of all stripes! Highly recommended!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews