The presentation sheds light on the nonsense techniques used in Lennart Hellsing’s Sjörövarbok (1965) (“The Pirate Book”). In the paper, it is argued, furthermore, that Hellsing's nonsense writing is congenial with his role in Swedish children’s literature in the latter half of the 20th C as both a critic and a carrier of tradition. Theoretically and methodologically the study draws on the critical apparatus developed by mainly Wim Tigges. It is shown that Sjörövarbok is a prime example of nonsense literature, particularly in the use of repetition (names, verbs) and simultaneity of meaning.