Satoshi Kitamura

is a Japanese children's picture book author and illustrator. In 1983, he received the Mother Goose Award for the Most Exciting Newcomer to British Illustration for Angry Arthur (written by Hiawyn Oram). In 2000, his book, Sheep in Wolves' Clothing was made into the obscure HIT Entertainment series, Sheeep. He moved from Japan to London before returning to Tokyo in 2009.

Biography Satoshi Kitamura was born in 1956 in Tokyo. After dropping out of school to pursue art, Kitamura decided not to attempt a 10-year apprenticeship as a potter and instead worked as a graphic artist. He was not trained as an artist, but at the age of 19 began to do commercial work as an illustrator for adverts and magazines. He moved from Tokyo to London in 1979 where he worked mainly at designing greeting cards. More than twenty publishers declined his work until Alison Sage, a children's book editor, introduced him to Klaus Flugge of Andersen Press. Flugge asked him to illustrate Angry Arthur in 1981, after an exhibition of his work at the Neal Street Gallery in Covent Garden. Since then he has published more than 20 of his own books, as well as illustrating many more.

He says that when he was young he read comics and admits that these have had a great influence on his style. He refers to as an early influence, as well as the story of Heinrich Schliemann told by a primary school teacher. His work is known for quirky perspectives, brilliant watercolours, attention to detail and unique characters and for regularly including animals or animal characters, most frequently cats. Boots the cat is a recurring Kitamura character featuring in two board books and The Comic Adventures of Boots, a picture book whose style is reminiscent of graphic novels and comics.

Regular collaborators include Hiawyn Oram, Roger McGough and John Agard. Kitamura worked with Colin McNaughton to create Once Upon an Ordinary School Day, published in 2004, In 2000, Sheep in Wolves' Clothing was adapted into an animated series by HIT Entertainment (who later acquired Pingu, originally made by The Pygos Group; Fireman Sam, originally made by Bumper Films; and Thomas & Friends, originally made by Britt Allcroft Productions) that was animated by Grand Slamm Children's Films (who had also worked with HIT to animate Kipper, Percy the Park Keeper and Angelina Ballerina for CITV) and screened on CBBC, lasted two seasons. The show starred Absolutely Fabulous actress Julia Sawalha as the voice of the character Georgina.

In 2009, he left London and returned to Japan to care for his parents, but continues to travel and work for publishers across the globe. Apart from writing and illustrating children's books, Satoshi has been commissioned for various projects including Tokyo Underground posters, signage at Birmingham Children's Hospital and designing stationery. He also translates David McKee's Elmer the Patchwork Elephant series for the Japanese market.

Awards

Mother Goose Award for the Most Exciting Newcomer to British Illustration for Angry Arthur, written by Hiawyn Oram. (1983) The New York Times Notable Book of the Year for When Sheep Cannot Sleep National Art Library Award (from the Victoria and Albert Museum for his illustrations in A Ring of Words, a poetry anthology edited by Roger McGough (1999) ). Smarties Silver Award for Me and My Cat? (2000)

Reviews 'The bold, bright, beautiful style of Satoshi Kitamura stands out like a beacon.' (T.E.S.) 'There could be no better way to start than with Kitamura's wonderful illustrations.' (Observer) 'Satoshi Kitamura has produced some of the most delightful picture books of the last dozen years.' (New York Times Book Review)

Books illustrated The Smile Shop by Satoshi Kitamura, 2020 Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura, 2019 Twinkle, Twinkle Firefly by John Agard, Grace Nichols, 2010 Tiger Dead! Tiger Dead! Stories from the Caribbean by John Agard, Grace Nichols, 2009 Millie's Marvellous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura, 2009, shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal The Young Inferno by John Agard, 2008 Let's Send an Efuto by Satoshi Kitamura, Motoko Matsuda, 2007 Stone Age Boy by Satoshi Kitamura, 2007 What's Wrong with My Hair? by Satoshi Kitamura, 2007 Efuto by Satoshi Kitamura, 2007 Play With Me! by Satoshi Kitamura, 2007 Hello, Who's There? by Satoshi Kitamura, 2006 Jackdaw Jinx by Kathy Ashford, 2006 The Carnival of the Animals by Gerard Benson, Judith Chernaik, Cicely Herbert (editors), 2005 Pablo the Artist by Satoshi Kitamura 2005 Igor, the Bird that Couldn't Sing by Satoshi Kitamura, 2005 Once Upon an Ordinary School Day by Colin McNaughton, 2004 Hello H2O by John Agard, 2003 Einstein: The Girl Who Hated Maths by John Agard, 2002 Under the Moon and Over the Sea by John Agard, Grace Nichols (editors), Satoshi Kitamura (contributing illustrator), 2002 The Comic Adventures of Boots by Satoshi Kitamura 2002 review For Every Child the Rights of the Child by Desmond Tutu (foreword) Satoshi Kitamura (contributor), 2000 Points of View with Professor Peekaboo by John Agard, 2000 Weblines by John Agard, 2000 Me and My Cat? by Satoshi Kitamura, 1999 Kaze, Tsmetai Kaze, (The Wind, The Called Wind) by Leslie Norris, 1999 Morris MacMillipede - the Toast of Brussels Sprout by Mick Fitzmaurice, 1999 The Spotted Unicorn by Roger McGough, 1998 A Friend for Boots by Satoshi Kitamura, 1998 Bathtime Boots by Satoshi Kitamura, 1998 The Ring of Words, Roger McGough (editor), 1998 From the Devil's Pulpit by John Agard, 1997 Cat is Sleepy by Satoshi Kitamura, 1997 Dog is Thirsty by Satoshi Kitamura, 1997 Duck is Dirty by Satoshi Kitamura, 1997 Squirrel is Hungry by Satoshi Kitamura, 1997 Goldfish Hide And Seek by Satoshi Kitamura, 1997 Out of the Deep by Hiawyn Oram, 1996 Sheep in Wolves' Clothing by Satoshi Kitamura, 1996 (Adapted into a TV series by HIT Entertainment in 2000) Paper Dinosaurs: A cut-out book by Satoshi Kitamura 1996 The adventures of Morris MacMillipede by Mick Fitzmaurice, 1996 Fly with the Birds: A word and rhyme book by Richard Edwards, 1996 We animals would like a word with you by John Agard, 1996 Eureka!: Me and my Body by Stephen Webster, 1994 Eureka!: Inside my House by Stephen Webster, 1994 Eureka!: Living and Working Together by Brenda Walpole, 1994 Eureka!: Hello, is anyone there? by Brenda Walpole, 1994 A Boy wants a Dinosaur by Hiawyn Oram, 1993 A Creepy Crawly Song Book by Carl Lewis (music) Hiawyn Oram (lyrics), 1993 The Oxfam Book of Children's Stories: South and North, East and West by Michael Rosen (editor), 1992 From Acorn to Zoo and Everything in Between In Alphabetical Order by Satoshi Kitamura, 1992 Lily takes a Walk by Satoshi Kitamura, 1991 Speaking for Ourselves by Hiawyn Oram, 1990 UFO Diary by Satoshi Kitamura, 1989 Ned and the Joybaloo by Hiawyn Oram, 1989 A Children's Chorus (anthology), 1989 Captain Toby by Satoshi Kitamura, 1988 When Sheep Cannot Sleep: The counting book by Satoshi Kitamura, 1988 In the Attic by Hiawyn Oram, 1988 My Friend Mr. Morris (Share-A-Story) by Pat Thomsen, 1988 Scrapyard by Andy Soutter, 1988 What's Inside: The Alphabet book by Satoshi Kitamura, 1987 The Happy Christmas Book (anthology) by Alison Sage (compiled by) Helen Wire (compiled by), 1987 Paper Jungle: A cut-out book by Satoshi Kitamura, 1986 The Flying Trunk Naomi Lewis, 1986 Sky in the Pie by Roger McGough, 1985 The Great Games Book by Satoshi Kitamura (contributor) 1985 Angry Arthur by Hiawyn Oram, 1983