Lost and Found

Lost and Found cover
Good Books rating 4.7

Technical:
  • ID: 299
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780007467419
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2012-09-10
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 3

Lost and Found is a beautifully simple yet deeply meaningful story by award-winning author Oliver Jeffers, brought to life in this read-along edition narrated by Paul McGann. The narrative follows a boy who discovers a penguin at his doorstep and assumes it is lost. Determined to help, he sets off on an adventurous journey to return the penguin to its home in Antarctica. The story is told with minimal text and evocative illustrations, emphasizing emotions and the unspoken bond between the boy and the penguin. As the boy rows the penguin home, he realizes the penguin is not truly lost but lonely, highlighting themes of friendship, companionship, and mutual support. The story’s charm lies in its gentle humor, metaphorical depth, and the message that no one is too small to make a difference. The boy and penguin’s relationship is portrayed as equal and reciprocal, reinforcing the idea that friendship transcends words and hierarchies. This timeless tale encourages readers to value connection and empathy in a deceptively simple narrative.

Reviews
Homegrown Reader · 2025-09-10
heartwarming 4.60

The book cleverly teaches a valuable lesson about friendship and assumptions through a charming adventure, blending wit and heart.

This review expresses affection for Oliver Jeffers' 'little boy stories,' especially 'Lost and Found' for its charm and engaging adventure plot. The boy's determination and tenacity to help the penguin home are highlighted as admirable traits. The story offers a gentle lesson on friendship and the dangers of assumptions, wrapped in a narrative that balances humor and emotional depth. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of seeking connection and understanding, making it a beloved read for both children and adults.


Quick quotes

    Jeffers delivers a valuable lesson about friendship and assumptions.

    The boy finds where the penguin’s home is, builds a boat, and rows him there.

    It’s only after the boy is returning home that he realizes that the penguin was searching for something and it wasn’t his home but a friend.

A Lust For Life · 2025-09-10
uplifting 4.80

The book is an overwhelmingly positive and meaningful tale emphasizing that no one is too small to make a difference, and friendship is mutual support without hierarchy.

This review appreciates the richness of the text despite its simplicity, noting the boy's persistent efforts and personal strength symbolized by his small rowing boat. It highlights the book's positive message about community, collaboration, and mutual value in friendships, where both characters contribute equally. The penguin is seen not as dependent but as a source of silent support, reinforcing the idea that friendship is about engagement and shared meaning rather than rescue or hierarchy. The story is praised for its humor and relevant lessons on connection and empathy.


Quick quotes

    No-one is too small to make a positive difference.

    There is no rescuer or rescued. This is not a hierarchical friendship.

    We can all add value and meaning to each other’s lives.

The Bookbag · 2025-09-10
magical 4.70

The story is a beautiful, simple tale of friendship told with minimal text and evocative illustrations that convey deep emotion without dialogue.

This review praises the book as a truly magical work by a gifted storyteller and artist, emphasizing the power of its simplicity. The boy and penguin's silent friendship is highlighted as a core element, where the lack of dialogue adds to the story's charm and depth. The minimalistic illustrations and straightforward text combine to evoke a profound emotional experience, making the friendship between the characters feel genuine and special. The boy's journey to help the penguin ultimately reveals that friendship is the most valuable discovery, a theme conveyed with subtlety and grace.


Quick quotes

    A truly magical book from a gifted artist and master story teller.

    There is something about this wordless friendship that makes it all the more special.

    With simple text and minimalistic illustrations, Jefferson conveys a wealth of meaning and emotion.