Lost, by Bob Staake, (Oct. 2024, Anne Schwartz Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593707029
Ages 3-7
A girl goes searching for her missing cat and helps her neighbors, also missing pets in this adorable story that will give readers a chuckle. When a girl notices that her cat is missing, she gets to work distributing “Lost” flyers; as she does, she meets neighbors who hand her their own flyers: for a dog, a bird, and a giraffe! Flashbacks show each person’s tale (or tail?) of woe as readers discover how each pet got away. As the girl searches her town, she ends up finding the lost pets – thanks to a tasty hot dog – and brings them together, while managing to find her sweet kitten! The retro art is playful, with exaggerated characters and skillful use of charcoal grey, white, and color. The pets are vibrantly colorful; muted blues pop up to denote skies, water, and a wall in the girl’s home. The girl has a rosy face, and the people missing their own pets show up with colorful faces to help them stand out; it’s a lovely way of showing readers how pets color our lives and how interacting with one another makes us seen. Lighthearted and humorous with a playful sense of adventure, Lost is a fun add for wordless collections and great for a story study.
Lost has a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
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