Lost

by David McPhail

On his way to school, a small boy befriends a very large bear who is lost.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, School, Storytime

Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 1990

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Brook Donatelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom used to read this book to me and my brother every night! For some reason, it was on of our favorites. This is a sweet and simple book about helping each other. The boy finds the bear and does whatever it takes to help the bear find his home, he had the patients to take the bear all through the city until they finally found his house. He never gave up. Then the boy was lost, and the bear helped him. When you’re willing to go out of your way to help people and be kind, they’ll be more willing to help you too. I think book is cute!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am walking down the street when I hear someone cry. It was a bear!”

A little boy helps the bear find his way home, but then the boy doesn’t know how to get back home. So, the bear helps him back to town.

Love the illustrations.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most every kid loves a book that ends with a new beginning. Me too!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about bear who hitches a ride to the city and then can't find his way home and the boy who helps him. Cute.

[Gail Kennon · Rating 3 out of 5]

delightful story and pictures.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to read this book to students in Korea, so it was fun to share it with my kids now too.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a good old fashioned picture book story. I mean..1993 publication, but still took me. Back to the 80s.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book greatly, in part because I have been to Boston and could relate to the places the boy and bear travel. One of the things I love about this book is the fact that the action begins before any words are written, even before the title page. If students simply skip over the initial pages they miss how the story begins. This book provides a way to show children how important the illustrations are to a story, because many "just want to get to the words." Since the bear and the boy travel around Boston in their attempt to get the bear back to his forest home, a nice partner book would be "Make Way for Ducklings," which takes place in the Boston Public Gardens. Students will get excited when they see the famous swan boats in both stories. Since David McPhail inserts his own tribute to "Make Way for Ducklings" in one of his illustrations, I would possibly read "Make Way for Ducklings" to my students prior to introducing this story. The illustrations in this book enhance the story and children get a kick out of the variety of reactions people have to seeing a bear travel around the city with a boy.

[Kathleen Ruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story of a young boy that finds a lost a bear and does everything he can to help the bear find its way back home. The boy attempts to use all his resources including a library. Finally when they read the bear's home they waived goodbye but then the little boy realized he was lost now and the bear offered to help him find his home. This would be a cute book to use when teaching small children about habitats and where things live.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite cute. The story is simple but I like the way the boy hears someone in trouble and immediately goes to help without thinking badly or ignoring the trouble. And how the individual he helps helps him back.

The illustrations are not really crisp so it looks like it was drawn by hand with colored pencil which is pretty cool.

I also really like that the author is also the illustrator.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations tell the tale in this cute story about a bear who gets lost in the big city. The narrative is simple and the story is reassuring to youngsters, though not realistic. Our girls thought it was funny.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how I've missed this book all these years, but LOST! is a Boston book. Carefully check each page/illustration for Boston landmarks, as bear and his new friend search for home. PK

Also enjoyed by A.B.,J,J,J,O,M,C,and E,

[Mommooshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming. Gorgeous illustrations. Brings up a good lesson for kids in a way they'll never see as a lesson, but will feel the emotions and love involved.

Highly recommend for all parents to read their kids.

[Peggy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with McPhail, beautiful illustrations. A gentle story about getting lost, helping someone, and finding home. Great for 3-4 year olds.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 108486 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 1.7 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[The Bougie Twins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It would be a great lead in to a writing prompt where students could describe where they lived!

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021
A well intentioned kid skips school to help a bear find his home

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bear gets lost in an unnamed city (that looks like NYC) and a boy helps him find his home in the forest. Such a sweet book.

* Library book. Read at 23 months

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending