Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A child whose orange cat has gone missing distributes homemade "LOST" signs around the neighborhood in this largely wordless picture book. Along the way, the protagonist finds myriad supporters, including others saddened by their own respective pets' disappearances. In a series of flashbacks, Staake (The Path) shows how a mail carrier's green bird scrammed out the window, a bench-sitter's blue dog slipped under the front gate, and a grocery shopper's giraffe--a sly and wonderful stretch of credulity--simply walked over the garden wall. The bereft owners each wave farewell to the child, whose lunch soon offers connection to the dog and bird. As the youth distributes "FOUND" posters for those animals, another serendipitous encounter leads to the missing kitty--and brings the giraffe out of hiding. This zippy panel-style tale in the creator's shape-based aesthetic brims with eclectic characters (a devil-may-care bird with a single curlicue on its head, an engaging background cast in b&w) as well as good vibes about connection and caring in a universe where all's well that ends well. Human caregivers are portrayed with a range of skin tones, some fanciful. Ages 3--7. Agent: Gillian MacKenzie, Gillian MacKenzie Agency. (Oct.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Many people can relate to the worry that strikes when a pet goes missing. Staake (Bluebird, rev. 3/13) brings empathy, camaraderie, and humor to a familiar experience in this wordless picture book. As a child searches for a missing cat, they discover that other people are missing pets all over town: some common animals and others...not so much. As they go about their pursuit, a series of chain reactions results in surprising twists, newfound friends, and eventually lots of happy reunions. Staake's illustrations invite readers to join the search party. His creatively varied and detail-packed panel sequences keep the plot moving forward, but readers won't want to flip through the pages too quickly. Each spread holds clues as to how the pets and owners will eventually reunite. The judicious use of bold colors over black-and-white backgrounds allows viewers to follow each character through sometimes-crowded scenes, emphasizing their actions and range of emotions (from fear to determination to relief) throughout the entire tale. The entertaining payoff reflects the power that can come from neighbors -- and even their pets -- banding together to assist one another. Lindsay BayerSeptember/October 2024 p.63 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this wordless tale, a child searching for a missing cat finds other lost animals along the way. After failing to find the feline at home, the child takes to the neighborhood, wallpapering every shop and mailbox with "lost" signs. The child encounters the mail carrier, who's also looking for a lost pet, as well as a shopper seeking a missing giraffe. The child manages to find a pup and a couple of other animals…but what about the cat? Readers can breathe easy: This tale has a happy ending. Staake uses color strategically to highlight what readers should be noticing. All the backgrounds are rendered in shades of gray set against a very pale blue sky. The people with lost pets and the pets themselves are the only elements depicted in color--an artistic choice that turns readers into pet finders and advances the plot in the absence of text. The people themselves are fancifully colored; the protagonist has reddish-pink skin. Their expressive faces and body language effectively signal depth of feeling. All these expert touches make for an accessible work of storytelling art. A satisfying tale conveyed solely--and adroitly--through images.(Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
