Captain Cat

by Inga Moore

A trader who loves cats discovers an island plagued by rats in Inga Moore’s lavishly illustrated tale about the value of treasure and the nature of home.

Captain Cat loves cats. In fact, he has more cats on his ship than he has sailors. On one voyage, he discovers a remote and lonely island where the little-girl Queen has never even seen a cat. When Captain Cat’s furry companions trounce the rats infesting the island, the Queen begs Captain Cat to trade her the cats for untold treasure. Does he? Could he? What happens next? Never fear, fellow travelers! The purr-fect solution is on the horizon — and is sure to satisfy both pet-lovers and adventurers.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Childrens, Animals, Adventure, Travel, Humor

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2013

About the author

Inga Moore is a distinguished author and illustrator of children’s books whose illustrated titles include acclaimed versions of THE SECRET GARDEN and THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. She lives in England.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Cat was a trader, sailing the seas from port to port – his companions were cats, along with his crew. He didn’t just have one or two cats – or even three. There were more cats on board than his crew. Caught in a storm and blown off course, his discovery of a remote island led to new adventures and treasure for Captain Cat.

What a delightful, beautifully illustrated children’s book! I read this one to my granddaughters last night and we were all captivated. Entertaining with a subtle little message about friendship being more important than material possessions was blended through the story. Recommended.

[Aileen Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter read this book to me and it was truly enjoyable. The book started by stating that Captain Cat loved cats so much that he had more cats then crew. I laughed and asked Emily if that reminded her of anyone. She responded by saying that it reminded her of her friend that had gone bowling with us. A friend that loves cats so much that she even calls herself cat girl.

Quickly I stopped laughing and she continued to read. We learned that Captain Cat was a trader, but not a good one. He loved cats so much, he always traded his goods for more cats. One day Captain Cat decided he was going to travel to places he had never seen. He, his cats, and crew set off, but a large storm causes them to sail off course to an island over run with rats.

I don't want to give too much away, so I will just finish by saying that you really will love how this extremely amusing story ends. The illustrations are quite captivating too.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is accompanied through intricately detailed illustrations which show texture through the use of lines. It has some slight similarities to the Mousehole Cat and would be suitable to read with children up to year 3. It would be suitable as a class story as there aren’t many curriculum links in it, although if it was used in group reading children could appreciate the illustrations more, particularly if there were multiple copies. It also shows that some things which aren’t of excessive value can mean the most, such as the cats meant more to Captain Cat than jewels. However, it is quite long and it isn’t as exciting as some of the other picture books I have read so I think children could find it slightly boring. Nevertheless, it could still be enjoyed by children, particularly those who love cats!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I'd like to know is how much cat litter Captain Cat has to stock up on before every voyage.

[Audrey Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best children’s book I have read in a long time.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with lots and lots of cats; paired with lovely illustrations chock full of details.

[Airynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story with a great message. A Captain who sails the seas trading expensive items for cats simply because he loves them. Even the mangy tabby’s as the story tells. The other traders think he’s a fool even though he’s blissfully happy. After losing his way on a voyage he comes to an island with a problem the cats can solve.

Leaving the cats behind he heads home with treasure and shares his story with the traders. They greedily head to the island to get their own treasure and receive a wonderful gift for their merchandise. You’ll have to read the story to find out what it is. Everything comes full circle for the captain.

I suggest you check out Six Dinner Sid which is how I discovered Inga Moore.

[Becky Ginther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat lovers will definitely enjoy this enchanting little tale about a captain and his cats. How can you not smile just thinking about all of those cats on board a ship with the Captain? The story itself is cute, and it teaches a good lesson - that greed and money isn't all there is to life, and sometimes it's the things that we love most which will bring us good fortune (both monetary and otherwise). The illustrations are good but nothing outstanding. All in all a cute picture book that I think any child with a cat or a fondness for cats would really enjoy.

[Anu-vinkkari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oi! Tämä tarina niin lämmitti tulevan kissamummon sydäntä. Kirja yhdistelee mukavasti vanhan ajan satua, seikkailua ja eläintarinaa. Isokokoinen harva teksti ja suuret realistiset kuvat tekevät kirjasta mukavan helppolukuisen ja iätön aihe kelvannee hyvin vähän isommallekin lukijalle . Otanpa heti maanantaina kokeeksi mukaan kakkosten vinkkaukseen!

[wildct2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story: companionship is more important than material wealth.

[Misbah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sea captain has a lot of cats and one day he gets lost and finds a mysterious island. The queen of the island invites him to dinner but a bunch of rats come and ruin it. The captain's cats murder all the rats and the queen is delighted. The cats decide to stay on the island and the queen gives the captain a bunch of jewels. He travels a lot and tells people about the island n and one day reigns to the island and iss gifted kittens... The children of his own cats.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely, if not quite perfect, story. Captain Cat and the queen both have the right priorities: Cats are more valuable than jewels. The ending of the story is almost entirely satisfying. And the illustrations are quietly lovely.

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A random story about a captain who loves cats and accidentally sails to an isolated island overrun with rats and his cats rescue the island from the rats. Illustrates the principle that value is in the eye of the beholder.

[Elizrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about children's books is the artwork. Oh, the glorious pictures that span two pages, with details you could spend hours poring over and still notice something new! A perfect story for children, crazy cat ladies/gentlemen, or lover's of really good pictures.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one to the kids in Indooroopilly library while their mum did the groceries. Perhaps a little too long and advanced for them (certainly Lily, almost 3), ans perhaps a little twee and quaint for me, but it is a sweet book with lurvely drawing and great little twist ending. 7/10

[Alanah Shirfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A longer story for slightly older children. My then 6 year old enjoyed this book and still does now 8 - "I like it because its like adventuring around an island and you help people and its nice to imagine the treasure in your head".

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I don't even like cats, but this was great. A man trades valuable things for more and more cats, and surprisingly winds up on an island that needs... cats! And just when you think it's over, it's not! I really enjoyed this. The ending was funny.

[Picture book lover Untraditional · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just be warned that the cats do kill the rats “not a rat was left alive” and they lay them out in “neat rows of corpses” .
I didn’t find this and a few other parts appropriate for a picture book age range.
- a cat lover.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really long but I like the message that treasure is in the eye of the beholder.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny little twist.

7/11/18 Read with Naomi & Simon

[Danielley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It honestly made me itch, imagining being surrounded by that many cats, but my kitty-loving daughter enjoyed it!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful tale for children who love cats.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful (unless you have an affinity for rats...).

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It just really doesn't get more adorable than a wizardy looking old dude smitten with dozens of felines who sails around the world and finds an island that accepts and celebrates his weirdness.

[Rob McGrory · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute story and perfect for a cat lover. Although I think some younger children might find it runs a little long.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book. I loved the cats!

[veronica✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m counting this book because I read it with my daughter and it was so stinkin’ cute.

[Anna Hofmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful!

[Diyakittu · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites!! It's stuck with me for quite some time

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book celebrates th beauty of naivety. And it turns some of the way things are in normal life up side down.