Satoshi Kitamura facts for kids

Satoshi Kitamura (born in 1956) is a famous Japanese author and illustrator of children's picture books. He is known for his unique drawing style and imaginative stories. In 1983, he won the Mother Goose Award for his amazing illustrations in the book Angry Arthur. Later, in 2000, his book Sheep in Wolves' Clothing was turned into a TV show called Sheeep. Satoshi Kitamura lived in London for many years before returning to Tokyo in 2009.

About Satoshi Kitamura

Satoshi Kitamura was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1956. He loved art from a young age. He decided to leave school to follow his passion for art. Instead of becoming a potter, he started working as a graphic artist. He didn't go to art school, but at 19, he began illustrating for adverts and magazines.

His Journey to Children's Books

In 1979, Satoshi moved from Tokyo to London. There, he mostly designed greeting cards. More than twenty publishers said no to his work. But then, Alison Sage, a children's book editor, introduced him to Klaus Flugge from Andersen Press. Klaus saw Satoshi's art at a gallery. In 1981, he asked Satoshi to illustrate Angry Arthur. Since then, Satoshi has published over 20 of his own books. He has also illustrated many more books for other authors.

His Unique Art Style

Satoshi Kitamura says that he read many comics when he was young. He believes comics greatly influenced his drawing style. He also learned from Kamishibai, which are traditional Japanese picture stories. His art is famous for its interesting angles and bright watercolours. He pays great attention to small details. His characters are very special, and he often includes animals. Cats are his favorite, especially a character named Boots. Boots the cat appears in two board books and a picture book called The Comic Adventures of Boots. This book looks a lot like a graphic novel or comic.

Working with Others

Satoshi Kitamura often works with other writers. Some of his regular partners include Hiawyn Oram, Roger McGough, and John Agard. In 2004, he worked with Colin McNaughton on the book Once Upon an Ordinary School Day.

In 2000, his book Sheep in Wolves' Clothing became an animated TV series. This show was made by HIT Entertainment. It was shown on CBBC and lasted for two seasons. The show was also sold to other countries, like Australia.

Life and Work Today

In 2009, Satoshi left London and moved back to Japan. He went to care for his parents. But he still travels and works for publishers all over the world. Besides writing and illustrating children's books, Satoshi has worked on other projects. He designed posters for the Tokyo Underground train system. He also created signs for Birmingham Children's Hospital. He even designs stationery. Satoshi also helps translate David McKee's Elmer the Patchwork Elephant series for Japanese readers.

Awards and Recognition

Satoshi Kitamura has won several awards for his wonderful work:

• In 1983, he received the Mother Goose Award. This was for being the most exciting new illustrator in Britain for Angry Arthur.
• His book When Sheep Cannot Sleep was named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times.
• In 1999, he won the National Art Library Award. This was from the Victoria and Albert Museum for his illustrations in A Ring of Words. This was a poetry anthology edited by Roger McGough.
• In 2000, he won a Smarties Silver Award for his book Me and My Cat?.

Books Illustrated

• The Smile Shop by Satoshi Kitamura, 2020
• 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
• 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