A city boy helps a lost bear find his way home to the forest.

Lost! is a sweet book with gorgeous watercolor illustrations that start the story before we even read the first word. Children will spy a bear who stows away in a moving van. When he wakes up, he’s in an unfamiliar city. The bear’s emotions and behavior are childlike – the first thing he does is cry. Fortunately, a little boy comes to help him. The little boy is a very good friend to the bear and a great role model, kindly guiding him through the city. They explore skyscrapers, the park, and the library, but will they ever find the bear’s home?

Some parents may use the book to start a conversation about what to do if their child gets lost. This isn’t the book’s intent – getting lost is the conflict, but the story is meant to entertain. The plot is light and playful so as not to scare children. As the story was written in the 90s, today’s technology and concerns about stranger danger aren’t a part of the story. It’s just a simple tale of kindness and friendship.

This picture book would make a great easy reader for an elementary school student. It’s filled with sight words and features a sentence or two per page (e.g. “‘There are trees where I live,’ he tells me. So we find some trees.”) I appreciate the prose in this story as McPhail is able to deliver an emotionally compelling tale in just a few words. Children will find the boy and the bear relatable, making this story a winner.

I give this book a 5/5 for its gentle plot, soft illustrations, and message of friendship. Lost! would make a wonderful addition to your library or home!

Have you read Lost? What did you or your kids think of this book? Let me know in the comments!

Photo: The cover of my copy of Lost!