Captain Toby by Satoshi Kitamura

Captain Toby by Satoshi Kitamura

By Satoshi Kitamura (author) , Satoshi Kitamura (illustrator)

"A fantastical nautical adventure celebrating the imagination"

Paperback In Stock £6.99 £6.29

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Toby is tucked up in bed, his cat sleeping at his feet, but it’s such a stormy night that he can’t sleep. Suddenly, the whole house is rising and falling, adrift on a wild sea.

Captain Toby takes the wheel, but he needs help from Captain Grandpa and Chief Gunner Grandma (she never misses!) when a giant octopus hoves into view. All ends well, with a final surprise revealed by a special flap.

The mix of drama and cosiness is perfect and the seascapes, painted in the deepest, richest shades of blue, are mesmerising to look at. A book bursting with colour and adventure.

It's a dark and stormy night and Toby cannot sleep. The whole house seems to be tossing and turning like a ship in the middle of the ocean...and soon Toby enters a fantasy world where he is indeed at sea, caught up in a strange and wild adventure.

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Luckily, Toby's cat makes up the crew of his ship, and together they chart a course through the storm and fend off a giant sea monster - with the last minute help of a mystery submarine which comes to their aid.

But hang on, the submarine is manned by his Grandma and Grandpa! Soon they are back in the safety of the harbour, ready for breakfast - but lift the flap for one last surprise! Dramatic and surreal, there is danger and bravery with a large dose of the surreal, and lots more to notice on every re-read.

‘If you have enjoyed some of Kitamura’s previous books, then you are in for another treat with this latest publication. The story is pacy and thrilling and the voyage dangerous, but the fantasy element makes for an exciting but safe read’ Just Imagine

'With a mix of surreal humour and high adventure, Kitamura's illustrations provide a visual treat. I particularly love the richly hued seascape with the two sailing houses heading landwards.' Red Reading Hub

‘A surreal and dramatic story that shows the power of imagination - with the most beautiful illustrations! I cannot recommend it highly enough!' I Teach Things

‘A welcome re-issue of a book first published in the 1980’s. Satoshi Kitamura’s style is distinctive and text and illustration are perfectly matched here…A dramatic fantasy story with a surreal element. Great fun for anyone aged 2+’ English Association

‘So distinctive is his artwork. It's a superb flight of imagination such as a child might have giving rise to a captivating adventure. Get hold of a copy now.’ Seaside Reader

'Kitamura's nautical romp is a combination of sweet charm and raucous revelry. The artistry displayed in the jewel-colored illustrations is considerable and makes the book a satisfying visual treat.' Publishers Weekly

Satoshi Kitamura was born in 1956 in Tokyo. He says that when he was young he read comics and admits that these have had a great influence on his style. He says he was also influenced by anything visual from a tin of sardines to the fine art of the East and the West. He was not trained as an artist, but at the age of 19 began to do commercial work. From 1976-1979 he worked as a commercial artist in Japan, working as an illustrator for adverts and magazines. He moved to London in 1979 and worked mainly at designing greeting cards. He started illustrating for Andersen Press in 1981 after he had an exhibition of his work at the Neal Street Gallery in Covent Garden.

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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Captain Toby and determined it is suitable for children aged 0-4 years old

Captain Toby features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Bedtime Stories for Children, Picture storybooks, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts, Featured Books for 3+ readers, Recommendations, Books for Babies and Toddlers

Paperback, Hardback. £6.29, down from the £6.99 cover price. In Stock.

Captain Toby was written by Satoshi Kitamura and published by Scallywag Press

£6.29, reduced from £6.99. In Stock.

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