Paul Biegel was one of Europe's most acclaimed and best-loved storytellers, and the author of more than fifty books for children. Born in the Netherlands in 1926, he studied law but worked as a comic-strip writer before writing his first novel, The Golden Guitar, in 1960. He wrote at a rate of almost a book year for nearly forty years, producing timeless fantastical tales of dwarves, princesses, witches, robbers and talking animals. The Little Captain was first published in 1970 and was Biegel's bestselling title. The King of the Copper Mountains and The Gardens of Dorr are also available from Pushkin Children's Books.

When Marinka, Podgy Plum and Timid Thomas set sail with the Little Captain on board his brave ship the Neversink, a world of adventures awaits. Their incredible journey will take them across stormy seas and scorching sand dunes, through palaces and sailors' inns, past giants, dragons and polar bears. Along the way there will be danger and excitement, ghost ships and buried treasure, pancakes galore, and at the end of it all: friendship. Packed with thrills, laughter and magic, this beautifully illustrated classic seafaring tale has enchanted generations of children.