A fun and fantastical tale of pirates and being oneself.
Pirate Gruffybeard loves pink and glitter, but isn’t sure how his crew would react if they found out. He confines his dressing up to his cabin. When the ship of the dreaded Pirate Squidlips suddenly approaches, however, Gruffybeard rushes onto the deck, revealing his glitter-filled beard and flowing pink skirt. His crew is unfazed; we learn that Nearly Dead Ned likes to wear lipstick and Bad Bones Betty likes purple glitter and leather pants. Gruffybeard is renamed Glitterbeard.
The crew then feels free to employ their true talents to help save the ship by distracting Squidlips with a party. Betty uses carpentry skills; Ned applies lipstick; another crewman uses a newly revealed love of baking. Squidlips’ ship is lured in.
One (bloodless) cannon blast later, and Squidlips and her crew are in the water (safely buoyed by flamingo- and duck-shaped pool floats). Glitterbeard and his crew celebrate their victory and their joy in being themselves.
Yes, there’s an unsubtle message here, but there’s also a ton of silliness, pirate songs, and bright, whimsical illustrations. The book feels like a natural fit for children of parents/guardians who are fans of queer pirate show Our Flag Means Death (also check out The Pirate Mums), but its appeal should go far beyond.
Glitterbeard reads as White; the crews of both ships have a variety of skin tones.
