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Russell Hoban
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Quentin Blake
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A near thing for Captain Najork Hardcover – January 1, 1975

by Russell Hoban (Author), Quentin Blake (Author, Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
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A Near Thing for Captain Najork
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  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Cape
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 1975
  6. ISBN-10
    0224011979
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0224011976
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cape; First Edition (January 1, 1975)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0224011979
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0224011976
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.3 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Russell Hoban

    Russell Hoban

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    Russell Hoban was the author of A Bargain for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, A Birthday for Frances, and Bread and Jam for Frances, all illustrated by Lillian Hoban. He also wrote Bedtime for Frances, illustrated by Garth Williams.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Quentin Blake

    Quentin Blake

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
44 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Dirk Walvoord
5.0 out of 5 stars A meaningful moral wrapped up in a delightful, whimsical tale.
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2022
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Playing music and/or playing sports doesn't mean not being good at it. In fact, being good at it is what makes it fun!
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G. Rhabyt
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beloved Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2011
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So good that for years we bought copies on eBay to give as presents before it was reprinted. This and "How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen" are, after a decade, still the favorite children's books in the house (by kids and adults alike). From the invention of the two-seater jam-powered frog in the beginning to the ominously lit arm-wrestle for the Captains fate at the end, the prose is simple, wonderfully funny, quirky and deftly phrased. Illustrator Quentin Blake is at the top of his form as well -- from capturing the Captain's frustrated pompousness to Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong in her flippers and iron hat. My only sadness is that Russell Hoban only wrote two in this series and these are his only books aimed at the large age group between the Frances books and "Ridley Walker"
2 people found this helpful
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M.M.F.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book To Share With Every Child (young and old)
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2007
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Tom and His Aunt Bundlejoy Cozysweet have an adventure in his frog and Aunt Fidget Wonkham Strong Najork arm wrestles the Headmistress for good Captain Najork.
This is indeed a very fun and visually enjoyable book to read either quietly to yourself or out loud. I brought it in to share with my preschool group, and those that loved the story, love to hear it over and over again or to just sit and look at the pictures. I've shared both this book and How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his hired sportsmen with the children several times and will need to purchase a new copy, this one is falling apart now from the love.
Highly recommended for it's unique enjoyable and fun flare.
5 people found this helpful
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X180frm
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2015
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Great book!!!!!!thank you!!!
One person found this helpful
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Linda
4.0 out of 5 stars Third in the series.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
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This is the third book in the series. I have the first one, which is still my favorite, but I am a fan of Aunt Figget Wonkham Strong.
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Susan N. Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2015
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Fast delivery; classic book!
One person found this helpful
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katharine worth
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2014
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a beautiful copy! thank you!
One person found this helpful
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notchland88
2.0 out of 5 stars disappointed Captain Najork fan
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2012
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We LOVED "How Tom Beat Captain Najork!" Such a unique story, several of its lines have made it into our family's bank of frequent quotes. So I bought this as a family Christmas present for four teens who had grown up loving "How Tom...," and we were all less than thrilled. The characters lack the humor and charm of the first Tom story. Of course, Quentin Blake's illustrations are still gorgeous.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Martin, Glos
5.0 out of 5 stars Completely recommended!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2017
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This is a terrific book, great for reading in bed in the morning with a young person. It is a worthy sequel to 'How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen'. Russell Hoban's excellent story telling is perfectly matched by Quentin Blake's illustrations of the story. I love it.
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Peanut
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab and funny book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2019
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I loved this as a child and appreciate it as an adult. Looking forward to reading it to some little child soon.
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Sunday painter
5.0 out of 5 stars The best short children's book I've ever read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2013
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Utterly brilliant words, gloriously funny pictures. A hilarious, imaginative, completely original and crazy book. "One morning after breakfast Tom was fooling around with his chemistry set and he invented anti-sticky...". Really love it!
One person found this helpful
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M Sp8
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2012
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Off the wall humour and right up my street, this book is only surpassed by the original. It's lexicon has entered the vocabulary of my family........."eat your greasy bloaters!"
5 people found this helpful
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judith verity
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2016
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More excellent advice on the obtaining of marital harmony, not to be missed.
One person found this helpful
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