A Near Thing for Captain Najork

Disclaimer: How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen is one of my all-time favorite books, ever. So when I saw there was a sequel, I had to get it. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to its predecessor.Captain Najork and Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong are now married, Tom is living with his new Aunt, Bundlejoy Cosysweet, and everything seems to be going fine...until the frog. I won't try to explain the plot, because it kind of has to be read to make any sense, but it is mad humor and fun. It just wasn't as all-fired fun as the first book. I did appreciate the illustrations by Quentin Crisp, who did HTBCNaHHS, and they are as good. The storyline just wasn't as good. It's worth a read, but if you are expecting another superb winner like the first book you may be disappointed.

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"

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.

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!

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.

Fast delivery; classic book!

Great book!!!!!!thank you!!!

a beautiful copy! thank you!

How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen is a great children's book. Unfortunately this sequel is fairly incoherent. The story, which picks up after the original, has taken a turn for the somewhat abstract and after reading it to my child she quickly noticed that it feels rather more like it was made up as the author went along.The illustrations are still excellent as ever but I can't help being disappointed.Stick with the first one and move on.

I loved this as a child and appreciate it as an adult. Looking forward to reading it to some little child soon.

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.

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!

The first book was great for children this on would be better for older students.