Worm's Lost & Found

by Jule Wellerdiek, David Henry Wilson (translator)

A picture book for anyone who has ever lost anything!

Worm runs one of the best lost and found offices in the world. He has a rare ability to find things. Lost umbrella? Missing keys? Misplaced toy? If it is lost, then Worm can find it. But then the unthinkable happens: Worm can’t find his hat!

Worm’s absent-minded friend Seal is always losing things. But can she help Worm find his beloved hat? Seal has the perfect solution: look left, look right, then . . . make pancakes? Can Seal’s silly solution actually help Worm find his favorite cap?

In Jule Wellerdiek’s first book with NorthSouth she finds a humorous way to deal with things that are lost, and celebrates the joy that comes with finding things when you least expect it.

Includes a seek and find game throughout the book!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Jamie (semi-hiatus for a week) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply adorable. Worm usually helps others find their lost items, so when Worm's cap goes missing his friend Seal is there to return the favor!

This book will likely be a huge hit with the preschool and early elementary crowd. The illustrations are super cute and colorful with lots of pastels and a watercolor-y vibe. Worm and Seal are both endearingly drawn, as are the other animals who make an appearance in Worm's lost and found office.

The language is fairly simple. Those at the younger end of the target audience will likely need assistance reading the text, but “desperate” and “cupboards” is about as difficult as things get.

There are a couple of interactive pieces to the story. At one point Worm and Seal decide to stand on their heads and look for his cap “from the other way up” and the text turns upside down with them, forcing the reader to flip the book in order to read the words. There are also lost items hidden in the illustrations that young children will almost certainly enjoy searching for.

This story teaches patience – Worm is understandably upset about losing his cap, but he might just make a happy discovery once he stops panicking and settles down to a nice meal of pancakes!

My overall rating: 4.25 stars, rounded down. Kids in the targeted age range, especially those with an interest in animals, will likely want to read Worm's Lost & Found again and again. It's a super fun little tale!

Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is October 8, 2024.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worm's Lost & Found is a cute story about problem solving, friendship and patience. Worm runs a lost and found for all his friends. Whenever he finds something lying around, he puts it in his lost and found. When his friends realize they have lost something, they know they will find it at Worm's Lost & Found. When Worm loses his hat, he is beside himself. His friend Seal tries to help him by giving him suggestions, but he still can't find it. When he stops looking and does something else, he finds what he was looking for.

This was a cute book that I read with my youngest grandson. He enjoyed it as we looked at all the things Worm had found. He thought Worm was a great friend helping everyone. What he didn't like was all the time and effort Worm and Seal put into finding his hat without success. We talked about patience, what else they could do and about leaving it and trying later, but he still thought the "story wasn't fair". I guess this just tells me that he needs to read this again at another time. I liked the message and realize it is one that young kids need, especially those that get easily frustrated. The illustrations were cute and very detailed. We spent a lot of time looking at them, and the end had a page of items that we went back to search for, strengthening the power of observation. I'm not sure about the rating for this one. I think it is a great story to teach some of those skills, but when I asked my grandson if he wanted me to keep it to read again, he wasn't sure.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book geared for younger grade readers. Worm runs a lost and found but is upset when his hat goes missing. Worm calls his friend Seal to come and help. The story is quick and sweet with gentle illustrations. I think more could have been made of managing feelings because losing something important is something everyone can relate with. At the end of the book is a page of various objects to find causing you to explore the book again. Geared for younger grade readers. Thank you to NorthSouth Books for the temporary ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book will be a big hit with kids. While as an adult I found this book a little slow, the art was cute and I think the story will resonate with younger kids. It has repetition which is excellent for young readers.

4 stars

[Noor Velliane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly illustrated and written story. I was smiling all the way through, the rhymes were so subtle which I loved the most, they keep you hooked and going. I liked the message behind the story; we get frustrated when we lose things and just like worm, we might throw a tantrum, therefore, a friend can help us calm down by doing another activity and in time, we will find the item we lost and be happy.

Oh and the last page is genius, kids will spend a good time looking for every item!

NetGalley review

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute story about two friends - Worm, who is VERY organized, and Seal, who is...not. :-) One day Worm loses something and for the first time, Seal is able to help him, and then in return, Worm is once again able to help Seal!

Lovely illustrations make this even more delightful while reading, and there is a fun game at the end that will have everyone diving back into the book again and again. The lessons of friendship and helping others is gently taught here, yet in an easily recognized and will encourage conversation with each other and their grown-ups.

Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jule Wellerdiek, David Henry Wilson - Translator, and NorthSouth Books INC for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia✨Book Reviews by Jules✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This book was very cute. I enjoyed the adorable illustrations. I think this book will be a hit with young children. I found it very enjoyable as an adult. I recommend this book.

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[Frances Gonzalez-Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This book is an absolute gem and I’d be lost if I didn’t have it as part of my picture book collection! Worm absolutely stole my heart and can totally open a Lost and Found in our neck of the woods. And Seal? He’s a friend that everyone should have! I love pancakes, too! 🥞 (That wasn’t meant to be a random thought. Read the book to find out why.😂).

Jule Wellerdiek’s charming book, both written and illustrated by her, weaves a sweet storyline alongside warm and beautiful illustrations that bring a smile to every reader’s face. And as an additional treat, hidden surprises are scattered throughout the book (including a delightful page-turner and a fun scavenger activity) that will definitely keep both you and your kids engaged and entertained to the very end.

Short synopsis: Worm has established a Lost and Found Office that has been dubbed as “The best in the world” with its first-class and friendly customer service. His office is the go-to place for many animals in his community who are constantly losing things, and there’s nothing Worm can’t find. Well, that is, until Worm is in a position where he just may be the one who needs help finding something of his own. In the end, Worm ends up finding more than he was looking for. 🥰

A definite must-read picture book!

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NorthSouth Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Worm owns a lost and found shop, helping all his animal friends find what they are missing, but then he loses his cap and doesn’t know how to find it.

This was such an interactive book, it was so full of things to search for, to look at and I really loved that. Children would be so engrossed into the search and find aspect of this story.

The story itself was sweet, worm was really kind and helpful, his shop though messy was organised how he liked it, he could help anyone in the blink of an eye. But when he loses his own hat he struggles to know what to do, with the help of seal he tries to find it but his emotions take over for a while.

I really enjoyed how he came to the realisation of where he’s lost it and then was ready to start his day again. This was a really sweet and adorable book, with really nice illustrations to look at and full of interactivity.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from NorthSouth Books Inc. through NetGalley.
Worm has everything in his lost and found shop - well, almost. After helping the other animals find what they were seeking, he loses his hat. He can't open his shop without it and asks a friend for help. Seal shows him the steps he uses to find a lost item. Readers see Worm get frustrated and angry but working through his emotions. He discovers Seal's steps work when he locates his hat in a surprising place. The store opens and everything returns to normal. The illustrations are full of details showing how crammed this store is. Readers are offered the opportunity to go back and locate certain items at the end of the book. I appreciate Wellerdiek sharing how Worm worked through his emotions - the positive and negative ways. This allows for dialogue with young readers.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worm’s Lost and Found is a delightful story about a work who is an expert at finding things…until he loses his cap. Helped by Seal, Worm sets out to find his cap, and get back to business.

This was a really fun read. I loved the messages about learning to cope when things go wrong, and the fact that everyone needs some help/can provide help at different times. The illustrations were engaging and whimsical, and I loved the way children can join in to find missing objects- it reminded me a bit of Animalia.

I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a fun read with I spy elements and helpful messaging about coping with lost items to share with their child.

Thank you NorthSouth Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a worm who runs a lost and found shop. Some animals and the items that they come into the shop to find are a hedgehog looking for a lost pencil, a bird searching for an umbrella, and a centipede looking for a ring. Then, worm loses his cap and his best friend seal comes over to help him find it. The story is humorous with them even standing on their heads at one point to gain a new perspective.

The illustrations are colorful and cheery and add a lot of detail to the story. There are lots of items on the shelves in the lost and found shop and a “find the hidden pictures” option at the end of the book.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #NorthSouthBooks for an eARC of #WormsLostFound by #JuleWellerdiek in exchange for honest feedback.
-4 stars

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worm runs the best lost & found business in town. But what happens when *he* loses something? Will anyone be able to help him?

There's so much to love about this adorable picture book. As a mom of 4 boys, there seems to be no end to the amount of lost items in our home! This book reminds children that it may take time to find a lost item, but good friends can help you look and help take your mind off of your sadness about a lost item.

Children and parents alike will love this clever picture book. The illustrations are stunning and the story is silly and cute. Kids will love the end of the book, where they are given 30 lost items to locate within the pages of the book.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Oldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this one the moment I saw the cover. My kiddo loves worms and can't stand to be without his hat so it sounded perfect, and it was! This book was absolutely adorable and funny. Worm runs a lost and found shop, the best around. One day he loses his hat and needs his friend Seal to help him find it. While they look, Worm cycles through lots of feelings and the illustrations for it are wonderful. Kiddo particularly loved pages 11-12. We had to read and reread them in every voice we could manage.

At the end of the story are two pages of objects hidden within the rest of the book for kids to find, which he is happily doing now. I will absolutely be looking form more from this author/illustrator and buying a physical copy for our shelves when it releases.

[Tyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about a worm who runs a lost and found office who loses his cap and has to rely on his friend to help him find it, it's a quick and easy read but a really fun one to read, there's even a challenge at the back to find different objects hidden throughout the book which would be definitely something fun to do with a child who's reading it and would give it a rereading element, the pictures are stunning and I love how they seem to move around the text rather than the text dictating where the pictures should go. It adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.

I was sent this e-Arc on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Aaawww this was the best! I can’t stop smiling :). A short, fun and sweet story with very detailed, warm and soft illustrations.

Worm is such a helpful character. He runs a lost and found office and we see lots of animals visiting and being helped by him.

But one day he loses something himself, for the first time ever! He asks a friend for help and it’s so funny how he tried to be, but wasn’t very helpful or was he?

This shows us that sometimes we find a solution for our troubles when we let go of them for a while. And that friends are the best in their own unique ways :).

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worm’s Lost & Found is a cute picture book with a fun story. I loved the soft colors and adorable characters. They all made reading the book enjoyable and entertaining.

There really isn’t a life lesson to be learned from the book. Except for maybe that some lost items will turn up eventually when we least expect them.

And since I’m a sucker for seek and find activities in any book, Worm’s Lost & Found has a seek and find game that will challenge any preschooler to find objects within the pages of the book. Five fun stars.

I received a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, if slightly unremarkable, read, as a worm that runs a lost and found bureau gets into a tizz when his cap goes missing. The moral of the story – that we should not panic, think laterally, divert ourselves creatively until what we're seeking turns up – is lightly done, and the characters are quirky enough to make this stand out. But it lacked a little magic, and even when you consider the worm and his best friend a seal are the same size, and even when a page turns out upside down – for legitimate reasons – there's still a spark of something extra that these pages needed. Still, three and a half stars.

[Jenny Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schools have lost and founds. Churches have lost and founds. Worm runs a lost and found office for the animals. In fact, Worm is an expert on sorting and filing all the things that get lost. But where can Worm turn when he can’t find his hat? He calls up his friend Seal who happens to be an expert at losing things.

This is an adorable book. The characters and illustrations are cute. There are even places in the book where the reader can look for lost things.

I recommend this book for its cute illustrations, relatable story, and for reading with someone you love.

I received an arc of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.

[Marine Wong Kwok Chuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming and visually stunning picture book !
Worm has a very successful Lost and Found, all the animals go to his shop when they’re looking for something. Everything is well until Worm himself loses something… hopefully his friend Seal is here to help him !
Jule Wellerdieck writes and draws an endearing story about friendship and how you and your friends complement one another.
I loved the colours of the illustrations, it’s soft with a chalky effect. Each page is rich with details, such a treat for the eyes !

[Monica Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable book is a must-have for any little one who's ever misplaced a favorite toy! Worm runs the coolest Lost and Found ever, reuniting lost treasures with their rightful owners. The story is heartwarming, and the illustrations? They're like, totally dig-in-the-dirt amazing! Your kiddos will be giggling and wishing they had their own Lost and Found after reading this gem.

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #WormsLostFound #NetGalley

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again I am grabbing all the kids books to read and share with my daughter. This one looked really cute. I thought it was funny because work was so full of himself that he can find anything for everyone but then he couldn’t find his own hat. Our favourite part was when he found his hat and how.
We would recommend this read for everyone.
Thanks to Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for the complimentary copy.

[Sierra| HooksxBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a funny book. My toddler had a blast watching these two friends sort through the Lost & Found.

The illustrations were very detailed and my toddler could name every emotion Worm went through. I would definitely keep a copy of this book for my mini. We enjoyed it.

The best part, was the end of the book that turns this entire experience into an interactive one.

I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through NetGalley.

[Christie Guillory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the colorful illustrations in this children's book. I felt like the story kind of jumped around several potential talking points for young readers: friendship, being helpful, and resolving frustration. As a read aloud, the book provides the opportunity for conversation about what is happening and how to handle big feelings.
Thank you, NetGalley and Northsouth books, for the arc and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worm runs a highly successful lost and found business. (I'm not clear on how this generates an income for worm to live on, but I doubt many children will ponder this dilemma.) So-o-o-o . . . it's pretty embarrassing for Worm when he can't find his own hat one morning. This is a cute and highly entertaining book that kids are sure to love. I really liked the author's illustrations.

Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the loan.

[Saloni Porwal]

Love the art style used in this book. The colors are subtle, giving a watercolor vibe and makes for a pleasant reading experience. The story is easy to read with a few challenging words thrown here and there. The plot is the relatable story of losing things, and we can all connect to worm's feeling after losing something precious. I definitely recommend this book to parents of kids in primary school.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little picture book is so cute. Worm runs a lost and found so you can imagine his panic when he discovers that he's lost his hat. Where can it be? He looks everywhere until he finally finds his hat by accident. A happy ending, so he can get back to helping everyone else with lost items. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Casey Rislov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prototype. This will be the first of many in this original story. The illustrations are warm, whimsical and particolored. Every child loves a good mystery and lost & found is both a mystery when you lose something (where could it be?!) and when you must find it (especially if in a big school stockpile). Highly recommend.

I obtained a copy from NetGalley.

[The Closed Door Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable book!! I loved that while it was lighthearted and fun for younger kiddos it had a deeper meaning in not letting your anger get the best of you and make you miss other important things. The illustrations were perfect—such a cute, simple read that I would love to share with my 3 year old son once it is published!

[Emily Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great for read alouds, the kids loved it! It was very funny and engaging. There were so many parts where the pictures were engaging and humorous, worms grumpy face, and I wish that the author had leaned into it and drug it out a bit more. It was a great storytime book, just a little too short.