The House of Lost and Found – Martin Widmark & Emilia Dziubak, Floris Books, (9781782505426), 2018
Format: Hardcover picture book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
What did you like about the book? Niles is an old man living alone, except for his cat Johan Sebastian, in an isolated house in the country. His children are grown and gone far away. His wife Sara has died but is still alive in his thoughts and memories. Late one night his doorbell rings. A young boy is there with a pot containing only earth. He asks Niles to look after it while he is on vacation. Niles does not want the pot, he is determined to live in his gloom but the boy disappears before Niles can return it. The next morning there is a sprout and now Niles wonders what kind of plant this will turn out to be. Hand-drawn illustrations done in colored pencils are rendered in gloomy drab colors until the plant sprouts – then the light comes in. Niles washes windows, mops and cleans; his life has been transformed. The illustrations are dreamy, reminding me of Rembrandt, each one a work of art.
Anything you did not like about the book? Perfect.
To whom would you recommend this book? Though the subject matter is mature, I still think this would be accepted by small children if read one-on-one. It could open discussion about growing older but remaining optimistic.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review
Date of review: 10/03/2018
Youth Services Book Review 
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