(4) K-3 Illustrated by Leslie Lammle. Young Ned likes to knit, which doesn't make him popular among his gruff pirate shipmates. But when a ferocious ocean beast attacks the Rusty Heap, the predictable happens: Ned's hobby saves the day, and everyone learns a lesson about acceptance. The tone is kept light by bouncy rhymes with scrappy pirate speak and the illustrations' soft, seafoamy colors and smiley, rounded swashbucklers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Leslie Lammle. Just before bedtime, three children and their dog imagine going to sea to find treasure. Accosted by pirates, the kids frighten the men with a fake ghost then sail home to sleep peacefully. The text is told in rhythmic verse that occasionally stumbles. Expansive double-page-spread illustrations dominated by blues show round-cheeked kids on an exciting nighttime adventure.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman