Battle of the Sexes, Pirate-Style: Pirate Vs. Pirate by Mary Quattlebaum

BAD BART WAS THE BIGGEST, BURLIEST PIRATE THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC.

BUT HE WANTED TO BE THE BIGGEST BURLIEST PIRATE IN THE WORLD--AND THE RICHEST!

Bart sets out on a world-spanning voyage to prove his mettle. And, as he finds out, there's only one thing standing in his way, the Pacific Ocean's mighty mistress, Mean Mo.

MEAN MO WAS THE MADDEST, MIGHTIEST PIRATE THIS SIDE OF THE PACIFIC.

THE EARTH BEING ROUND, THEY MET IN THE MIDDLE.

The two battling buccaneers challenge each other to a series of heroic contests: they swim miles with the sharks; they compete in a shotput match, using cannonballs; they arm-wrestle and mast-climb and even compete in an audit of their treasure troves. Their watching crews act as judges, and their decision--a TIE every time!

Then Mean Mo tries a feminine ploy. Instead of another insult, she offers him a gift from her cache of goodies. Not to be outdone, Bad Bart returns with an even bigger gift, and the pirate potlache is on!

SUCH A FRENZY OF SHARING!

"TIE!' RULE THE CREWS.

But then Cupid takes charge of the contest.

"BAD BART, YE BE A JEWEL OF A MAN!" SAYS MO.

"AND YE BE BRIGHTER THAN GOLD, ME BEAUTY!" SAYS BART WITH A GALLANT BOW.

Love conquers all as a pirate nuptial pact is struck in Mary Quattlebaum's new buccaneer tale, Pirate vs. Pirate: The Terrific Tale of a Big, Blustery Maritime Match (Hyperion, 2011. This war-and-peace pirate tale, illustrated comically by Alexandra Boiger's colorful cartoons, is another swashbuckling saga sure to find anchorage on the pirate shelf.