Module 6: Lost and Found

Citation: Jeffers, O. (2005). Lost and found. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Summary: A story about friendship with beautiful illustrations. It begins with a little boy who finds a penguin and believes it is lost and wants to go home. The boy decides to take him home on his row boat and so the adventure to the South Pole begins. As he arrives at the destination and drops off the penguin, the penguin still has the same demeanor. As the boy rows away he realizes that it is not because the penguin is lost as to why he has a sad expression it is because he is lonely. The boy and the penguin’s friendship has begun.

Impression: Peace, Love & a CUTE Read!

This is one of those books that makes your heart melt.  It surely gives a peaceful feeling to the reader because it is so cute that these two very different creatures can come together to become friends.

Reviews: PreS-Gr 2-- "Once there was a boy who found a penguin at his door." From this opening line to the very end, this gentle story of friendship will capture young readers' imaginations. The child assumes that the penguin is lost, which is logical since the lumpy black-and-white bird does look awfully forlorn. Determined to help the creature find its way home, he discovers that penguins come from the South Pole, and the two board a rowboat. During their long sea voyage, the youngster passes the time by telling his companion many stories. However, when they finally reach their destination, he realizes that the penguin was not lost, but just lonely and looking for a friend. The soft watercolor paintings feature simple shapes and a palette that ranges from pale to bold. The boy has a square body, stick legs, and a round head with tiny dot eyes and an expressive mouth. For much of the tale, the characters are placed on crisp white backdrops, while colorful ocean scenes depict their journey. The text's subtle humor and the appealing visuals make this title a wonderful read-aloud.

Gallagher, G. (2006). Lost and found. School Library Journal, 52(1), 103.

A lad finds a penguin on his doorstep and resolutely sets out to return it in this briefly told import. Eventually, he ends up rowing it all the way back to Antarctica, braving waves and storms, filling in the time by telling it stories. But then, feeling lonely after he drops his silent charge off, he belatedly realizes that it was probably lonely too, and turns back to find it. Seeing Jeffers's small, distant figures in wide, simply brushed land- and sea-scapes, young viewers will probably cotton to the penguin's feelings before the boy himself does--but all's well that ends well, and the reunited companions are last seen adrift together in the wide blue sea. Readers who (inexplicably) find David Lawrence's Pickle and Penguin (2004) just too weird may settle in more comfortably with this--slightly--less offbeat friendship tale. (Picture book. 6-8)

Lost and found. (2005). Kirkus Reviews, 73(23), 1276.

Use in Library: -This book can be used as a read aloud with the very young elementary age.  It can also be used in various themed units such as friendship or emotions. Little ones will appreciate the happy ending, seeing the steps leading up to starting a friendship, and can relate to the characters’ feelings.