CAPTAIN BAD BREAKER AND THE COTTON CANDY SHIP

In this children’s book, a dastardly ex-pirate gets his comeuppance from a savvy young ship captain.

The Bad Breaker Inn, standing on the rocky coast of Maine, may look impressive, but travelers who stay there often find that their possessions disappear. The innkeeper, Captain “Bad” Breaker, is rumored to be a former pirate; he certainly looks and acts the part, slipping a mickey into the drinks of any guests with something to steal. One day, an unusual new ship, decked out with rainbow-colored masts and fluffy pink sails, docks in town. Breaker wants that vessel, and he’ll use “every last crooked, no good, very bad, and underhanded tool” to get it—and is sure of success when the ship’s captain turns out to be a little blond girl. But there are no flies on Elaine Mermain and her crew. Not only do they prevail, they right a great wrong before putting out to sea again. There’s a lot to enjoy in this humorous tale, especially the descriptions of the key scoundrel. He uses a dog bone to pick his teeth, and his best friend is a skull called the “Head of Doom,” which he squeezes for luck. Faer and debut author Raven deliver exciting moments and a well-deserved fate for Breaker. (Raven is Faer’s 7-year-old daughter.) But the story also possesses a warm heart, as when Elaine shows mercy in triumph. Although the two main characters are pale-skinned, Elaine’s crew is “a motley but beautiful bunch…all sizes and colors,” with rainbow head scarves and a “fierce and furry” black cat companion. A minor problem is the tale’s inconsistent use of rhyme, which can lead to clumsy phrasing: “She and her crew were welcome every day. For free, they could always stay.” The digital illustrations by Capuyan are varied and energetic, offering many amusing details.

An original, funny, and satisfying adventure.