Lost: Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year - British Book Awards 2025

by Mariajo Ilustrajo

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023

A new book from award-winning illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo, Lost is the story of a polar bear who finds himself lost, in a big concrete city.

He politely asks the city folk for help but everyone is much too busy and impatient to help the newcomer. He finds himself traveling on the subway only to be noticed, finally by a little girl.

The girl takes the homesick bear by the paw and under her innocent wing. Under the nose of her seemingly unaware mum, she feeds him dinner, gives him a bath and they read stories together. 

When the polar bear wistfully looks at a poster of the North Pole on her bedroom wall, the little girl realizes that her friend needs help to get home.

This is a story about the power friendship has to help you feel found, and even to transport you home.


 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Mariajo Ilustrajo is a pseudonym of a a Spanish illustrator Mariajosé Gajate Molina based in the UK.

Reviews

[νίκη κωνσταντίνου-σγουρού · Rating 5 out of 5]

«στην αρχή, είχα χαθεί, αλλά, τελικά, κάποιος με βρήκε.»

✨

[Χάθηκα, μτφρ: Μαριάννα Ψύχαλου, εκδ. Μικρή Σελήνη]

[Yessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mooi prentenboek met een diepere laag.. wie helpt beer.. niemand ziet hem, hij is de weg kwijt (iedereen zit op zijn mobiele telefoon). Dan ziet een meisje hem en helpt hem terug naar de Noordpool.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel the same way about New York City, polar bear.

[Elsa Leuty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple story told beautifully with the pictures. Interesting change to have the narrative be the inner thoughts of the character.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book, although one that certainly pulls away from a lot of the cuteness that it could have had. A polar bear is somehow lost in the big city, and can't find help from whatever it is us humans are queueing up for (takeaway coffee, and the underground trains, basically). But when a vividly redheaded girl decides to befriend him, things suddenly start to look up. If you call being given a tutu then a bath in a human-sized tub looking up…

It's clearly a book about that surprise connection that makes the uplifting thing we call friendship, and is actually a lot more subtle about it in the reading than in the thoughts you're left from it afterwards. It'll make a child debate how the bear got to the city, and probably want a polar bear friend as well, but apart from that it'll perhaps nudge them towards the kindness to strangers so many cities need more of.

[Barbara Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polar Bear is lost in the city and is trying to find his way home. But everyone is too busy to help him - until a little girl notices him. Finally seeing a friendly face, he goes home with her but when she realises he should be at the North Pole, she hatches a plan to get him back there.
Such a lovely picture book with gentle illustrations that have their amusing moments. I love the way Bear queues up at a coffee shop to ask for directions but, instead, is given a soy latte. And how he considers pizza is "strange and hot"!
A story about friendship and kindness - with a subtle message about maybe being too busy looking at screens to notice if someone needs help.

[Ande Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost is a picture book about a polar bear, who finds himself lost in the city, and needs help to return to the North Pole. I loved the illustrations in this one. They were very soft and appealing. I liked that everyone tried to help the bear in the city, but felt like the dialogue/text could have been a little more engaging. I think the kiddos will enjoy this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing, and Mariajo Ilustrajo for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lost. It is a heartwarming story for homes, classrooms and libraries to share with early years and KS1 about exploring how we can all feel lost at times, the power friendship and helping others.

Here’s my full review here:

https://justimagine.co.uk/review/lost/

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! A beautiful story and I love the easter egg of the previous book Flooded in the illustrations as well. Really endearing.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story about a little girl who befriends a lost polar bear in the city, who is trying to get home. Simple but colourful pencil and water colour drawings, and language fine for beginners with help, though interestingly, all written in capitals.

[Demeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

#trebacita

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This polar bear just wants to get home.
🐻‍❄️

[Black Flamed Candle Books 🕯️📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute children’s book about being and feeling lost but then finding a friend and being heard, seen and found.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's cute and very true in today's world. Perseverance is key, even in the unknown.

[Cozzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the illustrations, very capturing story

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! Great marriage of charm between the text and illustrations.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This story about finding a friend, speaking up, and being “heard” would make a great read aloud as both the illustrations and topic would provide good discussion.

[Grace Wyness · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous book about the importance of friendship.

[Fausto Bailach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extranjero en Nueva York, literal

[Raven Lingat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the art style!

[Jean McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous!

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Bistra Ivanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, but not more than that...

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book telling the story of a polar bear lost in a city.

The bear struggles to find his way home but eventually is befriended by a little girl who takes him home; she knows he's not happy and needs to find his family in the North Pole.

The text is simple, sensitive and charming- pitch perfect for KS1/EYFS

Mariajo Ilustrajo's imagery/illustrations are perfect and full of warmth

This would be a great alternative or complimentary to book to Oliver Jeffer's "Lost and Found"

A pure delight from start to finish