What do you think?
Rate this book
Captain Long Ears
Eight-year-old Michael embarks on an exciting adventure in a theme park with his imaginary friend, a purple gorilla named Jam, all in search of Captain Big Nose, Michael's dead father. The two self-styled "space ninjas" are thrown off track when they decide to save the park's elephant, who is being abused by his keepers.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 12, 2016
After that it's pretty sad.
*Spoiler: not actually about space ninjas.
December 14, 2010
Michael, aka “Captain Long Ears,” is a little boy who misses his father, whom he calls “Captain Big Nose.” It’s not clear where Captain Big Nose has disappeared to, but Captain Long Ears is determined to find him. He, and his best friend, Captain Jam (his stuffed sock monkey), are Space Ninjas on a quest to discover the whereabouts of Captain Big Nose. When Michael’s mom leaves them alone for the day, they decide to go to Happy Land (one of the places Captain Big Nose used to take Captain Long Ears) and see if they can find any clues. Michael makes some mischief while he’s imagining their adventures, and soon the Happy Land staff are after him and Captain Jam. While they are hiding, Captain Long Ears makes friends with a baby elephant that’s being mistreated by its handlers. His attempts to rescue the elephant result in an accident that lands Captain Long Ears in the hospital. Somehow, through this traumatic experience, he learns to say goodbye to his father and to let go of some of his fantasies.
This was similar to “I Kill Giants” by Joe Kelly, in that it features another overly imaginative young person who is having trouble dealing with a real life situation or problem. Michael is frustrated with his absent mother and wishes his dad were around – it’s never clear whether his dad is dead, away on business, or has left them (divorced/separated). He doesn’t seem to have anyone to talk to about his feelings, as he’s on his own a lot, so he creates this elaborate scenario so that he can do *something* (instead of feeling so helpless). Helping the elephant seems to bust Michael out of his own sadness, which is nice to see – he also understands better than expected that the elephant’s fear is what causes it to lash out and harm him, his rescuer, so he doesn’t take it personally. Wise kid. Imaginative and amusing (with a tiny bit of gross factor – Michael catches a cold and there’s mucus everywhere toward the end), panels switch between how Captain Long Ears sees the world around him and how things *really* are.
This was similar to “I Kill Giants” by Joe Kelly, in that it features another overly imaginative young person who is having trouble dealing with a real life situation or problem. Michael is frustrated with his absent mother and wishes his dad were around – it’s never clear whether his dad is dead, away on business, or has left them (divorced/separated). He doesn’t seem to have anyone to talk to about his feelings, as he’s on his own a lot, so he creates this elaborate scenario so that he can do *something* (instead of feeling so helpless). Helping the elephant seems to bust Michael out of his own sadness, which is nice to see – he also understands better than expected that the elephant’s fear is what causes it to lash out and harm him, his rescuer, so he doesn’t take it personally. Wise kid. Imaginative and amusing (with a tiny bit of gross factor – Michael catches a cold and there’s mucus everywhere toward the end), panels switch between how Captain Long Ears sees the world around him and how things *really* are.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2011
In a lot of ways, this feels like a combo-party of I Kill Giants and Axe Cop. There's a little boy dealing with a trauma through some seriously wacky fantasy adventures. Toss in a sensibility and style that doesn't feel entirely amerikan.
It's a bit less subtle than I Kill Giants. It's a bit less wacky than Axe Cop, but that's pretty much the deal. There's an "ass" or two, and some piles of poop, and other things that told me why it's classified YA. I think this could appeal to the Captain Underpants fans, but I'd be interested to see if they could overcome the black and white, indie feel of it. So I'm not sure what audience it'll get in the YS world.
Fun, a little heavy-handed, but fun.
It's a bit less subtle than I Kill Giants. It's a bit less wacky than Axe Cop, but that's pretty much the deal. There's an "ass" or two, and some piles of poop, and other things that told me why it's classified YA. I think this could appeal to the Captain Underpants fans, but I'd be interested to see if they could overcome the black and white, indie feel of it. So I'm not sure what audience it'll get in the YS world.
Fun, a little heavy-handed, but fun.
March 2, 2011
This is the saddest book I've read in a long time, about a very imaginative (or very disturbed, depending on your point of view) eight-year-old boy grieving the loss of his father. There are vivid, wonderful fantasy sequences that almost make you forget he doesn't actually have a giant purple gorilla friend hanging out with him, but is lost and alone. This is another one of those books where I just want to grab the mother and shake her since she has so obviously failed her child. If all this isn't enough, there is a plotline about a baby elephant (the cutest drawing ever!) that was captured by poachers who killed its mom. I like the book but I can't see kid's really being drawn to it. It can be confusing at first what is real and what is the boy's imagination, and the little bits of humor are completely drowned by the overwhelming sadness of a boy who really, really misses his dead dad.
DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS:
On the plus side, the ending is hopeful, happy, and redemptive.
DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS:
On the plus side, the ending is hopeful, happy, and redemptive.
December 14, 2011
An eight-year old puts on his ‘Captain Long Ears’ costume and heads off on an adventure with his imaginary friend, Captain Jam, a purple gorilla.
Underneath the child-like, space and pirate exploits lies many layers, including the story of animal abuse and the true meaning behind the boys’ search for ‘Captain Big Nose.’
The art work for the boy is reminiscent of the boy in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, but the story is all its own.
This may very well be the most compelling children’s book I have ever read. It is sometimes funny, often poignant, and occasionally a little sad. All and all, it is absolutely beautiful.
While the cover may make it look like it’s for children, I would rate it for slightly older children or Teens; Young Adults & all ages will love it, though!
Underneath the child-like, space and pirate exploits lies many layers, including the story of animal abuse and the true meaning behind the boys’ search for ‘Captain Big Nose.’
The art work for the boy is reminiscent of the boy in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, but the story is all its own.
This may very well be the most compelling children’s book I have ever read. It is sometimes funny, often poignant, and occasionally a little sad. All and all, it is absolutely beautiful.
While the cover may make it look like it’s for children, I would rate it for slightly older children or Teens; Young Adults & all ages will love it, though!
August 8, 2011
Parental advisory: contains the word a** in a number of places.
Mommy says: as long as the above does not bother you, this graphic novel is a wonderful tale of how a child uses his imagination to deal with the grief of losing his father.
Mommy says: as long as the above does not bother you, this graphic novel is a wonderful tale of how a child uses his imagination to deal with the grief of losing his father.
August 9, 2011
Graphic novel about a little boy/space ninja and his trusty partner/stuffed sock monkey and their quest to find and rescue Captain Long Nose. It's also a story about how a small boy grieves for his father. Sad, beautiful.
Parental warning: the word ass figures prominently.
Parental warning: the word ass figures prominently.
July 15, 2010
Maybe not as great as its influences(Tekkon Kinkreet, Calvin & Hobbes) but a worthwhile kid's comic nevertheless.
November 4, 2011
3.5 stars - What a neat book. There is a wonderful sense of magic and emotion in this graphic novel, as well as a genuine message about animal rights. I liked it.
January 8, 2012
sad but very creative and fun. Being a new father, it did make me think about my son and what he would go through if I disappeared during his youth.
January 12, 2013
Read my review as part of my 30 Graphic Novels in 30 Days project.
December 6, 2015
The perfect balance of quirky and bittersweet, with gorgeous art
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews