PIRATE'S EYE

During "a friendly skirmish" among scurvy dogs, Captain Black's glass eye—witness to many a dastardly deed—pops out. When the ship docks, the eye rolls into the port city, where it's scooped up by a beachcomber called Sandpiper. In his meager clapboard cabin, the fellow inspects the orb, which clouds like a crystal ball: "Sandpiper saw scenes of the pirate as a child and scenes of the pirate as a man, scenes of mischievous boyhood and scenes of crime and treason!" While the bereft Captain Black posts "Lost Eye" flyers, Sandpiper writes a picture book based on the eye's revelations, and gives copies to the kind townsfolk who have given him odd jobs and groceries. Captain Black soon reads the tale (at the public library!) and tracks down Sandpiper; but by this time the magical eye has collected scenes of generosity that make the scalawag question his lawless ways. As in his The Old Pirate of Central Park , Priest introduces characters with opposing perspectives and shows them finding common ground. His airbrushed enamel on clayboard illustrations have a grainy eggshell texture, jewel-like colors and the flatness of glazed ceramic tiles; thin white outlines surround stylized images of a multiracial populace. Those expecting swordplay may feel dismay at Captain Black's nascent pacifism, but once again Priest puts an unexpected spin on the pirate tale. Ages 4-8. (May)