The Land of Lost Things

Adventures Unlimited #1

by Andy Griffiths, Bill Hope (illustrator)

The funniest, most thrills and spills new adventure series from the author of the bestselling, sales-smashing Treehouse series, Andy Griffiths.

Remember when we went looking for my lost lucky rabbit's foot and we ended up getting lost ourselves in the Land of Lost Things? What? You don't remember? But that was one of our most exciting-and confusing-adventures ever! Let me remind you how it all happened . . .

Genres: Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Humor

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Andy Griffiths is Australia’s most popular children’s writer. He is the author of over 20 books, including nonsense verse, short stories, comic novels and plays. Over the past 15 years Andy’s books have been New York Times bestsellers, won over 50 children’s choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Andy is best known as the author of the much-loved Just! series and The Day My Bum Went Psycho. In 2008 Andy became the first Australian author to win six children’s choice awards in one year for Just Shocking!, smashing his previous record of 4 awards for The Bad Book in 2005.

In 2008 Andy and his wife Jill collaborated with The Bell Shakespeare Company on the popular and critically acclaimed theatrical production Just Macbeth! which was nominated for two Helpmann Awards. In July 2010 Just Macbeth!completed a return sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received rave reviews. The book of the play was shortlisted in the children’s section of the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Andy has had a long-standing collaboration with the multi-talented illustrator Terry Denton. Together they have produced theJust! series, the wildly popular The Bad Book and The Very Bad Book, the ridiculous illustrated guide What Bumosaur is That?, and the Seussian-inspired early readers The Cat on the Mat is Flat and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow! Their latest book is The 13-Storey Treehouse (September 2011).

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygr...

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a total and utter caper! Who knew you could have so many laughs around lost things in all of their different forms, a knucklehead and some incredible illustrations which add so much to the humour in this! Pirates, flying socks, treasure and a bull! Just great!

[Kary H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all my kind of book, but, boy, did I laugh out loud! Such creative minds to create this romp of an adventure. I can't wait to booktalk it next month for my 5th grade Great Summer Reads booktalks!

[Maxie Froelicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute and also features one of the best lines in literature: “Who knows what goes on in the evil twisted mind of a sock - especially a lost one?”

[Endrit Nikqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received a DRC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
“The funniest, most thrills and spills new adventure series from the author of the bestselling, sales-smashing Treehouse series, Andy Griffiths. Remember when we went looking for my lost lucky rabbit's foot and we ended up getting lost ourselves in the Land of Lost Things? What? You don't remember? But that was one of our most exciting-and confusing-adventures ever! Let me remind you how it all happened . . .”

Andy Griffith’s newest book begins an all new series of adventures focusing on a fun journey throughout the Land of Lost Things. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Johnny Knucklehead. The illustrations by Bill Hope are beautiful and filled with loads of fun details. The story was also just a wild ride, and I enjoyed my time with this book. I would recommend this book to kids from the ages of 6 to 10.
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

[Pan Macmillan Australia]

I was really excited to see a new adventure from Andy. I loved the packaging and the fun illustrations throughout this new series. I also really enjoyed how the story made me, the reader feel a connection and a part of the adventure straight away. Loved all the quirky objects lost in this crazy land and then trying to find them throughout. I also enjoyed all the different faces created in the story. This was a really fun enjoyable read! One that I will recommend to all my friends!

Reviewed by Jodie's Son, Isaac - 12 years old

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventures Unlimited: The Land Of Lost Things is an adventure chapter book by Andy Griffiths, and illustrated by Bill Hope. It’s about a pair, “You” and “Me”, who are on a hunt for a lucky rabbit foot that had been lost. However, due to a bit of an accident while driving, they find themselves lost in "The Land Of Lost Things". While they’re there, they also find some friends and hunt for some treasure.

I’ll start by saying that I have absolutely loved this book. I originally saw the book on a sale on a department store website, when I was purchasing a different book. I liked the look of the cover, it sounded interesting, and so I decided to take a chance on it. I’m so glad that I bought a copy for myself. It is easily one of my favourite books of the year. I think it’s such a great adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. There are some fun friends that the characters make. I loved the story with the pirate rabbit and the lost foot. I think it’s great. Even thinking about it now puts a smile on my face. Plus, I really liked the story with Johnny Knucklehead.

One of the key things that absolutely makes this book so fun is the incredible illustrations. The book is so full of interesting things happening, including visual humour and stuff going on in the backgrounds of scenes. I love all the fun drawings and the great ways the characters are depicted. There’s a LOT of great work that has gone into the art of the book.

Overall, I love this book so much. I would love to read more in the series and I will definitely keep an eye out for next one, which will be available in 2025, according to the back of this book. I’m already eager for it. I’ll probably end up reading this one at least once or twice more in the meantime. Honestly, I would love it if this were made into a movie or television series. In a way, it reminds me of The Wizard of Oz or the 1990s Where’s Wally TV series. It’s a book that’s full of adventure and meeting all sorts of interesting characters and going to fun places. I’m sure so many kids will love this book.

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two friends are chatting about all the amazing adventures they'd been on.

"And how about the time we got lost in The Land of Lost Things?"

When one friend can't remember, the other decides to refresh his memory.

"It all started like this..."

Beginning in front of their cosy fire in their clubhouse, they'd decided to go on a new adventure because they were a bit bored.

Jumping into their (homemade) adventure suits and then their uncrashable adventure car, they were off!

Their uncrashable car is also all sorts of amazing other things and it takes them into their new adventure, only to land in The Land of Lost Things.

While they are there, looking for special objects they have lost themselves, they find tons of other stuff and meet others doing their own searching.

But there is also danger, a knucklehead or two and a very cranky bull. Flying watches and socks, turtles, books and a rabbit pirate. The friends must quickly determine who is friend or foe, along with remembering what they were looking for in the first place.


Such an entertaining jam-packed read full of amazing illustrations, and a funny story.

Every turn of the page brings new pictures and the font size is in a clear easy read style. There are maps, and double page spreads to pore over. Search and finds, comic strips and stories within this story are extras, along with tons of clever gags to make you laugh.

Yes, I laughed out loud while reading this book and am looking forward to sharing it with new young readers I meet.

The Land of Lost Things is definitely worth more than one read, it has so much to look and laugh at. I like it even more than the famous and hugely popular Treehouse series by Griffiths and Terry Denton.

Age - 6+

[Jeanet Tiemessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jij & ik en het Land van Verloren Voorwerpen – Andy Griffiths

Hé jij daar - ja, JIJ!

Weet je nog toen we naar het Land van verloren voorwerpen gingen om mijn geluksbrenger te vinden, mijn konijnenpootje? En dat we toen zelf ook verloren raakten?

Dat was een van de spannendste, gekste en krankzinnigste avonturen ooit.

Wat? Je weet het niet meer? Ah, dan heb ik een mooi verhaal voor je!

Het begon allemaal toen...

De vrolijke cover laat je al kennismaken met enkele personages uit dit nieuwste boek van Andy Griffiths. Heerlijk dat nu De waanzinnige boomhut-serie afgelopen is, deze auteur weer met een nieuwe veelbelovende serie komt. De talloze, veelal paginagrote illustraties van Bill Hope zijn super grappig en een perfecte aanvulling op de tekst.

Jij & ik zijn de hoofdpersonages in dit hilarische avontuur dat fantasierijk is en vol actie zit. Zeker weten dat de jeugd gaat smullen van dit verhaal. De hoofdstukken met wat meer tekst worden afgewisseld door stukken met minder tekst en zelfs een stripverhaaltje. Dit verhoogt het leesplezier en zorgt ervoor dat je als lezer toch steeds weer een stukje verder wilt lezen.

Als klap op de vuurpijl krijgt de lezer aan het eind ook nog tips om zelf een avonturenhelm te maken. Super leuk natuurlijk als een boek je uitdaagt om zelf creatief aan de slag te gaan en avonturen te beleven. En nu is het wachten tot later dit jaar deel twee verschijnt, want dan springen Jij & ik in een nieuw avontuur!

Deze nieuwe serie is echt weer een aanrader voor kinderen vanaf ongeveer 8 jaar die van avontuurlijke en fantasierijke verhalen houden!

4 ★

Bedankt uitgeverij Lannoo en De leukste kinderboeken voor dit recensieboek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening!

[Doughlas Ivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Land of Lost Things (Adventures Unlimited #1) by Andy Griffiths is a very short children’s book best suited, in my view, for bedtime or story time for toddlers under the age of two. When I refer to “children” here, I do so deliberately, because I genuinely believe that any average child older than that deserves far more respect for their developing intellect and imagination.
I have read many children’s novels and picture books, and while they often rely on the unnatural, the unexpected, and the whimsical—talking animals, exaggerated scenarios, and fantastical plots—they usually do so with purpose. The best children’s stories entertain while also offering a gentle moral or insight into life, emotions, relationships, or problem-solving, all wrapped in fun and creativity. These kinds of books encourage curiosity, imagination, and emotional growth. Unfortunately, I don’t feel Andy Griffiths achieves that balance here.
In short, this book falls well below what a child should reasonably expect from a story. Rather than nurturing a child’s mind or encouraging exploration of ideas, it feels dismissive of a child’s capacity to think, wonder, and grow. For any child over the age of two, the message comes across as: you’ll believe anything, so we won’t challenge you. I strongly believe children should be guided toward growth—mentally and emotionally—in ways that are playful, engaging, and age-appropriate, not held back in an intellectual holding pattern.
For these reasons, this book earns a one-star rating from me, even when judged purely as a bedtime story for young children.

[Middle Grade Musings · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Who knows what goes on in the evil twisted mind of a sock - especially a lost one?”

MGM Review #45 - You and Me and The Land of Lost Things - @andygbooks & @billhope_art - @macmillanaus

It’s been a while since I’ve read an Andy Griffiths book, but it’s clear to see he is still the king of children’s comedy fiction.

In search of a lost rabbit foot, You and Me head off to the Land of Lost Things for a fantastic adventure together. What ensues though is anything but. Soon they are encountering angry bulls, confusing maps, hungry cats and dangerous rabbit pirates. Will You and Me find what they need and make it back home or will their adventures get the better of them and leave them in dangerous peril?

This book is hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in one sitting. Kids will love it as well as they are personally invited into the story as the ‘You’ character. Andy’s witty writing and Bill’s incredible illustrations are an absolute crack up and very clever. Whether it’s lost tempers, lost plots, excessively long plank walks, sharks microwaving fish fingers or sassy mountain ranges - there’s something for everyone, kids and adults alike. Most of all this book is perfect for the reluctant reader. It’s full of illustrations, it’s fast paced, it’s short and sharp text, and it’s very very funny.

I can’t wait to share it with my class and I know it will be very popular! Great job Andy and Bill.

[Bord uit, boek aan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heb je genoten van de serie van de Waanzinnige Boomhut? Zet je dan maar schrap voor een compleet nieuwe serie in dezelfde stijl, maar toch weer helemaal anders! Andy Griffiths presenteert samen met een nieuwe tekenaar, Bill Hope, geweldige nieuwe avonturen in de serie 'Adventures Unlimited' waarin jij (ja, jij!) de meest geweldige avonturen gaat beleven. Essentieel is natuurlijk wel dat je een eigen avonturenhelm in elkaar knutselt. Hoe? Daarover hoef je je geen zorgen te maken, de uitleg staat achterin het boek. Waarschuwing voor ouders: mogelijk bent u daarna een paar teenslippers kwijt...
Vanaf de eerste bladzijden tuimel je van het ene gekke avontuur in het andere terwijl je je weg zoekt naar Het Land van Verloren Voorwerpen. Op zoek naar datgene wat jullie kwijt zijn. Eenmaal aangekomen is het de kunst om je niet af te laten leiden door alle nieuwe vrienden die je maakt. Deze vrienden hebben allemaal hun eigen zoektocht in Het Land van Verloren Voorwerpen, de kans is dus aanwezig dat je dadelijk je eigen missie vergeet...
Doordat het geschreven avontuur volledig wordt geïllustreerd is dit een boek dat je niet meer weg kunt leggen. Fantastisch voor kinderen vanaf een jaar of 7 tot en met 99! Iets minder geschikt om voor te lezen, maar dan wel weer heel erg geschikt om samen te lezen en te bekijken. Misschien dan wel een extra helm knutselen, je weet maar nooit...

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Land of Lost Things for my 7-year-old, who is a huge fan of The 13-Storey Treehouse series. He was beyond excited to dive into another adventure by Andy Griffiths.

Over the course of three nights, he eagerly read the book before bedtime, often giggling to himself as he turned the page on the Kindle. He particularly loved how the story involves the reader ("You") as one of the main characters. He said his "mind was blown" and he's "never seen a book like it before." This innovative narrative approach made the story incredibly engaging for him.

His favorite character is Johnny Knucklehead, and he specifically asked me to mention the hilarious moment when Johnny says, "See ya later, suckers." This part had him laughing out loud!

The illustrations were another highlight for him. He found them to be fascinating and full of details that added depth to the story. The artwork perfectly complemented the whimsical and adventurous tone of the book.

Overall, The Land of Lost Things was a fantastic read that kept my son entertained and captivated from start to finish. It’s a brilliant addition to Andy Griffiths' body of work, and I highly recommend it for young readers looking for a fun and interactive story.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...not my favourite. It kept my son's attention, but so does watching dust motes in winter sunlight.
My girlfriend and I occasionally tapped out and let the other read a chapter of this- a strategy that works well because each chapter is such a jarring jump in the narrative that it literally doesn't matter at what point one puts down this book and then picks it up again, you will be somewhere completely different. Like a literary version of scrolling through TikTok. They're in a car, oh cool, oh no the car's gone, oh no it's okay there's a boat etc etc

You may ask, why then the three star rating? Unfortunately my son loved this. He found it extremely funny despite being a bit too little for any of the double-entendres to really land with him.

In this book's defence it doesn't rely on the eventual punchline of a massive pile of poo that so many authors for this demographic rely on (looking at you Walliams, I'll not forgive you for that hippopotamus book), and for that I am grateful.

[Hwee Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behold, a new series by Andy Griffiths of The 13-Storey Treehouse?!

Griffiths tries something new in this one: referring directly to “you” (the young reader), going on an adventure as the book is being read.

The duo, the narrator and the reader, goes on a random adventure looking for things they have lost.

Just stop and imagine what the Land of Lost Things might hold 🤔 A “vamoosed moose” 🫎 , flying socks, and a bull in search of the temper he lost!

How to find all these things? A huge, rambling map, of course — not drawn to scale (unless you’re an ant 🐜).

Think automobiles flying off a precipice and the sharks below going:

“HAVE YOU GUYS HAD LUNCH?”

“I WAS THINKING OF GETTING YUM-CAR” 🤦🏻‍♀️

“OH NO, I'M ON A LOW CAR-B DIET RIGHT NOW”

“CAR-BONARA?”

Illustrated by Bill Hope, this is an entirely different flavour from the treehouse series and likely to satisfy its fans.

📚: @definitelybookskids

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new series by Andy Griffiths? Count me in!

My kids adored his Treehouse series. They insisted we send each of their cousins copies, as well.

In Adventures Unlimited: You and Me and the Land of Lost Things, Griffiths writes in that familiar and approachable style. But this time along, You are along for the ride. That’s right - You!

Unfortunately, You misplaced your lucky rabbit foot. That makes You feel nervous about going on any adventures.

Still, You really want to find that lucky rabbit foot. So of course, You inadvertently smash a hole in the space-time fabric and enter a different dimension.

In this delightful romp, Griffiths writes in the second person, making “You” a character in this silly story. I thoroughly enjoyed the opener of his latest series.


*Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley. All opinions my own.*

[Bibibabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unser Highlight des Jahres. Meine Kinder streiten sich, um dieses Buch zu lesen!


Ich war zunächst überrascht, wie dick dieses Buch ist. Das Lesen geht aber sehr schnell, da es viele Illustrationen und relativ wenig Text pro Seite gibt. Und was für Illustrationen! Lustig und detailreich! Durch sie wirkt das Buch mal wie ein Comic, mal wie ein Graphic Novel, und mal wie ein Wimmelbuch. Das Buch ist unglaublich abwechslungsreich und die Handlung absolut unvorhersehbar.


Die lustigen Landkarten waren besonders beliebt und die schrägen Figuren haben meine Kinder immer wieder zum Lachen gebracht.


Auch mein Kleiner (4) hat viel durchgeblättert und kennt einige Zeilen auswendig, da der große Bruder ihm vorgelesen hat. Es gibt am Ende eine Anleitung, um einen Abenteuerhelm zu basteln, und mein Kleiner hat es auch gleich gemacht. 


So ein unterhaltsames Buch haben wir bisher nie gehabt.

[Smitchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are at all familiar with Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton's Treehouse series then you know to expect marvellous hilarity and completely chaotic fun! Do you remember the time you and I flew to the moon? Or when we went to the bottom of the ocean? What about when we went to the Land of Lost Things? NO?! Really? Well, we better tell that story right now! It all started when I couldn't find my lucky rabbit's foot.....
With a similar reading level to The treehouse series, Adventures Unlimited will capture the most reluctant of readers with its non-stop action, silly plots and edge of your seat escapes! Bill Hope's detailed illustration will give kids reasons to linger on each page to find extra little jokes and the matches the story's chaos energy brilliantly.

[Ido · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Land of Lost Things is a book where young readers and their carers can find themselves lost (pun intended). Another great collab by the duo with entertaining illustrations, jokes, adventures and characters. Get ready to go on an adventure in space, in the deep ocean and nooks and crannies.
We will be reading the next installments and of course, purchase this one.
Thank you, #netgalley and #macmillanchildrensbooks for the ARC - the opportunity to read a new book by one of our favourite duos was awesome.

[Esa Roelofs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gekregen voor kinderboekenweek '25 van opa oma. Voorleeskampioen groep 3! Hardop gelachen, maar echt heel erg hard ook. Boek vaak meegenomen om ook de meest hilarische stukjes ook met anderen te delen, het liefst direct bij binnenkomst, je jas nog aan: tas op tafel, boek eruit, 'we eten vandaag weer vissticks'.

(Later bleek/blijkt: zo'n boek waarbij er dan eigenlijk geen verhaal is en dat juist het verhaal is - dat idee was voor ons nieuw, maar is in de huidige kinderboekenwereld heel erg niet nieuw)

[Kaitlyn]

I don't know how to rate this because I can see how this would be popular with the middle grade age range, but as an adult it was just a bit much. It was quick, which was what I needed at the time, but the story bounced all over the place and I kept getting confused when the narrator used the word "you" to describe one of the characters. I guess I should have read the back of the book before I got halfway through, because I would have known where the "you" came from.

[Hayley Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one day!

This was brilliant. The second-person narratorial point-of-view, the frequent use of hyperbole, and the breaking-the-forth-wall moments created a fast-paced, relatable, unpredictable, laugh-out-loud tale. I can't wait to watch the theatre production in a few months!

"I think I, too, have learned a valuable lesson: Never tell a duck thief where you've hidden your duck." (the mayor, p. 153)

[Shalini · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐇🌪 The Land of Lost Things by Andy Griffiths and Bill Hope:-
I loved reading this book so much! It is full of adventure and it's really quick paced. You give it to a 10-13 year old and I'm pretty sure they'll devour it in a few hours ⌛ I really loved the characters especially the bull and also the fact that you are included as a part of the expedition! 🛶⛰️

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read for grade school readers!
The narrative is spit on but the graphics are what make the story come to life.
I paid more attention to the illustrations than I did the test.
The bull was my favorite and I loved the facial expressions Bill Hope provided for him and each of the other memorable characters!
Thanks to Macmillan’s Children for the advance copy.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raucous, illustrated novel, imagination, silly

Two friends journey to the land of lost things to try to find a lost lucky rabbit's foot. Along the way they meet a cast of crazy characters including a pirate rabbit, two knuckleheads, and a flying watch! Silly and fun. Harrison liked this read aloud, and although long it had lots of pictures.

[Suzie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Treehouse books then you will definitely enjoy this book. Whilst it is sad that Andy is now working with a new illustrator, the essence of the success of Andy’s storytelling carries through in this new series.

[Elin Isaksson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize I'm not the target audience but I felt like there was a bit too much going on, both in plot and in the illustrations. It was a little bit busy and stressful. However I think someone aged 7 might like it, and that it'll keep their attention!

[Taran Hudson · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a fan of Andrew Griffins I can say that I was very disappointed with this book. I found the plot line tired, done before, and weak. The characters were basically remakes of other characters from movies and books. I found the humour disappointing, and the lack of literary devices annoying.

All I can say was that I was not z as fan of this book.

[HAZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good , i liked the way that it has you in the book e.g. ‘I have a bad feeling about this’ you said . it has a story about 2 people going on a adventure in the land of lost things and trying to find someones lost rabbit foot . the book was funny and entertaining .

[Marius Nyland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Curious as to what I would find in my first Andy Griffiths book, I delved into it with an open mind. I simply didn't enjoy this random and ultimately pointless story. Nice art at least. I guess a younger audience will enjoy it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of the tree house books will love this. Silly, full of puns and with engaging drawings it's a great stepping stone for reluctant readers. I know if will appeal to Y3 & 4 particularly.