With a touch of Disney-style Little Mermaid in the cartoon pictures and a bit of Br’er Rabbit in the story, this follow-up to Pirate Pete (2002) should keep young mateys anchored to their seats. Slowed down not a whit by his hook and peg-leg, treasure-loving Pirate Pete sets out to recover the stolen Sea-Fairy Sapphire, for which a tiny mermaid sea fairy has promised him a wondrous ship in exchange. He quickly finds out that the Sapphire is guarded by a huge but not too bright giant, who is easily tricked into throwing both pirate and twinkling gemstone into the sea/briar patch. A cheery-looking Neptune and other finny seafolk wave goodbye as Pirate Pete sails off aboard his new ship in search of “jolly good treasure to plunder!” Not the most rousing of pirate adventures, but a relatively nonviolent addition to the fleet. (Picture book. 6-8)
