Pirate Billy Nelson learns the cost of his scallywag ways in this coming-of-age story. When Mom asks Billy to leave his pirate behavior behind and return to her polite son, this pirate protests! Much to Billy's dismay, Mom then sends him to the brig (his room) without lunch for bringing his ruthless manners to the table. "Arrrrgh!" Billy exclaims before walking the plank to his dungeon.While in his room, Billy goes on an imaginary journey. Marooned by Elephant for not saying "thank you," then he is refused a ride to his treasure for not saying "please." Billy finds the buried booty on his own, but not before his tummy starts to grumble. Suddenly, this swashbuckling adventurer realizes that being polite is more valuable than all the loot one sailor can plunder. With his acquired jewels and pet parrot left behind, Billy trades his grubby ways for the etiquette of a prince-just in time for dinner.

After all, "a prince always says please."ABOUT THE AUTHORLaurie Lazzaro Knowlton was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has authored more than thirty-five books, including Pelican's Cowgirl Alphabet; I Know a Librarian Who Chewed on a Word; Nana's Rice Pie; Red, White, and Blue; Why Cowboys Need a Brand; Why Cowboys Need a Pardner; and Why Cowgirls Are Such Sweet Talkers. Her best-selling children's book, Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On, also published by Pelican, won the Premier Print Award from Eastman Kodak. An international speaker, Knowlton loves kicking back on her ranch, Roots 'n Wings.ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORAdrian Tans, a five-time Vermont state snow-sculpting champ and a native of Boston, is an accomplished painter and illustrator. He is the illustrator of Pelican's The Emperor's Army, Kick the Cowboy, Pirate Treasure Hunt!, and Witches' Night Before Halloween. Tans lives with his wife and children in Woodstock, Vermont.