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Lost. Found.: A Picture Book

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On a wintry day, a bear loses his soft red scarf. The wind carries it *whoosh* to a pair of raccoons who use it to play tug-o-war. When they run off, a beaver dons the scarf as the perfect winter hat...until it gets tangled on a tree branch. The scarf is lost and found by a series of animals, including a fox and a couple of rascally squirrels, who use it as everything from a swing to a trampoline.

When all the animals lay claim to the scarf at once, calamity ensues that can only be fixed by a bear, a little patience, and friendship, in this nearly wordless, clever picture book.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2015

4 people are currently reading
517 people want to read

About the author

Marsha Diane Arnold

24 books35 followers
Called a “born storyteller” by the media, Marsha Diane Arnold is a picture book author of 21 books, with over one million books sold. Her books have garnered honors from Best First Book to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Smithsonian Notable and won state book awards. Her more recent books include Houghton Mifflin’s WAITING FOR SNOW, illustrated by Renata Liwska, and Roaring Brook Press’ LOST. FOUND., a Junior Library Guild selection which received three starred reviews and was illustrated by Caldecott winner Matthew Cordell. MAY I COME IN?, a book about inclusion and kindness, has just been released from Sleeping Bear Press and four new books are coming, including a bilingual book from Lee & Low, GALÁPAGOS GIRL.

Marsha enjoys sharing her love of story through school visits, manuscript consultations, her Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books e-course, and especially by reading to her three grandchildren.

Growing up on the Kansas prairies, Marsha lived in Northern California for most of her life. Now she lives with her husband in southwest Florida, near the Caloosahatchee River and her daughter’s family, only a short flight from her son’s family in NYC. Besides creating stories, her favorite activities are scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, traveling, gardening, and climbing trees.

You may learn more about Marsha, her books, and her world, at www.marshadianearnold.com.

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5 stars
98 (17%)
4 stars
205 (36%)
3 stars
200 (35%)
2 stars
43 (7%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Abigail.
8,038 reviews266 followers
January 21, 2022
When Bear loses his cozy red scarf while out walking one day, it is found and then lost again by a series of woodland creatures, each of whom uses it in a different way. From the raccoons who use it in a game of tug-of-war to the mice who use it as a trampoline, the red scarf is many things to many animals. Eventually though, when too many animals try to claim it as their own, it comes apart. Is this the end, or can the scarf be 'found' again...?

A sweet story, featuring an extremely simple textual narrative - other than the occasional sound word, the text consists solely of the words 'lost' and 'found' - and lovely pen and ink and watercolor illustrations, Lost. Found. is the sort of book that rewards a slow and personal perusal. The artwork by Matthew Cordell really is quite engaging, expanding upon the minimal text in amusing and entertaining ways, with its depiction of the various animals' fun and games. The ending, in which everyone works together to 'find' (that is to say, to ) the scarf again, is quite heartwarming. Recommended to anyone looking for sweet picture-book stories suitable for younger children, that feature minimal text and maximum pictures.
Profile Image for Michele Knott.
4,231 reviews204 followers
November 6, 2015
I'm a self-admitted fast reader. I go through books, the majority of my attention spent on flying through the words.
But then you get books like this. If you try to fly through the pages, you miss the story unfolding in the illustrations.
Matthew Cordell is at it again. Slow down. Enjoy the small details of his work. You'll be sure to find something new in each read.
I am sure there will be some great conversations while reading this book.
Profile Image for Richie Partington.
1,209 reviews136 followers
June 28, 2015
Richie’s Picks: LOST. FOUND. by Marsha Diane Arnold and Matthew Cordell, ill. Neal Porter/Roaring Brook, November 2015, 32p., ISBN: 978-1-62672-017-6

“One man gathers what another man spills.”
-- from “Saint Stephen” by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia

LOST. FOUND. is a delightful, high-energy, animal-character picture book. The entire text consists of repetition of the two words making up the title: Lost. Found.

LOST. FOUND. features a red wool scarf. On the title page, a sweet bear wearing the scarf is struggling against winter winds. Unfortunately, the scarf comes loose: Lost.

A series of animals find and then lose possession of the red scarf: There are a pair of raccoons who struggle over it; a beaver who dons it as a fancy head covering; a river otter that swings Tarzan-style on it; a fox who lays it out across treetops to dry in the sun; some mice who then employ it as a trampoline; a pair of pine martens who tie it between trees as a net for playing pine cone volleyball; and some squirrels who chase off the martens and then swing on the net. In a climactic fit of mayhem, all the animals converge on the scarf, seeking to take possession. Except for the bear, who then encounters the other animals amid the threads that used to be his scarf.

What does he do? The bear leads everyone in gathering and knitting the wool back into a scarf that all the animals share while enjoying marshmallows and cocoa.

I really like that LOST. FOUND. will prompt audiences to imagine many creative and wacky things that one can do with a simple scarf. But what I especially appreciate about the story is how it contrasts with our throwaway society. Everyone has a use for this piece of used clothing. Then, when the scarf comes unraveled, it’s fixed instead of being tossed in the trash.

Matthew Cordell does a superb job of bringing to life a whimsical, expressive cast of characters. I’m really glad to have found this one.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
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Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book670 followers
November 16, 2015
This book has an interesting premise. The only two words in the book, repeated over and over, are 'Lost' and 'Found.' The illustrations really tell the story, and it's a fun tale to read with children. We enjoyed reading this book together.
Profile Image for GraceAnne.
696 reviews60 followers
March 5, 2016
Most excellent. Even though it only has two words (those of the title) it would be a stellar read-aloud because of all the squiggly-wriggly, bouncing and tugging, etc. etc. activities that will probably make children want to bounce and wiggle and run -- and possibly knit.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,279 reviews19 followers
June 13, 2017
Delightful how much story is told with just two simple words.
Profile Image for Anne.
419 reviews12 followers
November 23, 2015
Cute story but the illustrations make me feel dizzy.
Profile Image for Margaret.
2,820 reviews
Read
November 21, 2015
Those with keen observation skills and a knack for making something out of nothing will always find treasure. They may locate an item which no longer has significance to another who willingly gives it away. Or they may discover a lost possession.

The absence of this thing leaves a hole of sorts in the heart of the person missing it depending on its real or perceived value. In their more philosophical moments they hope someone who needs it more than they do have it now. When these things are spotted by an explorer, a wanderer or someone simply going about their daily business, their past experiences and particular personalities will assign worth and a use to it. Lost. Found. (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, November 3, 2015) written by Marsha Diane Arnold with pictures by Matthew Cordell begins on a wild, windy, wintry day as a bright red scarf takes flight.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
Profile Image for Katya Szewczuk.
11 reviews3 followers
March 8, 2016
This book is full of heart, animal mischief, kindness and is a story that symbolizes something truly powerful: Finding what is lost. Go on a whimsical, magical journey as this lovable bear loses its beloved scarf and join not Bear, but Scarf as it travels amid the forest critters who want it all for themselves.

Marsha Diane Arnold's writing is simplistic. With every 'Lost' there is a 'Found', making the reader remember times when something they loved was lost, but then found again. Matthew Cordell's mystical illustrations loop you in and out of the story's magic, giving a sense of endearment to all. This book is perfect for the cold, wintry season, and great for snuggle/cup of cocoa time by the fireplace with the family, and would make a wonderful holiday short film!

I was more than honored to have made the book trailer for Lost.Found. because it is truly a gift to this world.
Profile Image for Juliana Lee.
2,272 reviews42 followers
November 22, 2017
Lovely new story with only two words. The story is told through the illustrations and the lost/found pattern even the youngest readers can pick up on quickly. Bear has a long red scarf which he loses in the woods. It is found by two raccoons who end up losing it over a game of tug of war. The scarf is then found by a series of forest animals who end up losing it. When the wind eventually blows the scarf into the middle of the meadow all of the animals fight over it and tear it to shreds. With nothing but red yarn left, the animals gather it all up and sit in a circle as the bear knits a new scarf, longer and thinner than the first so that everyone can share it while sitting around a campfire.
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
Profile Image for Erin Buhr.
Author 4 books41 followers
December 8, 2015
This story is told with just two words: Lost. Found. Together these words and the illustrations follow a scarf as it is lost and found my animals throughout the forest. Wordless books are always a wonderful treat to explore illustrations and these offer endless comedy. The ideas these animals have for a simple red scarf and creative and laugh-out-loud funny to a young audience. At the end, when all is seeming lost and the scarf has been reduced to a tangled ball of yarn, their solution is the very best kind of conclusion. 2+

Profile Image for Tracie.
1,794 reviews44 followers
January 18, 2016
When the wind blows Bear's cozy, red muffler away, the scarf is lost and found over and over again by many different animals, each with a different idea about what it is and how to use it. Is it a swing? A trampoline? A really strange-looking hat? When too many ideas wear the red scarf down to a sad pool of scraggly yarn, Bear teams up with the other animals to re-purpose it. Using only two words--"lost" and "found"--this simple but creative story imparts a gentle lesson about communities and sharing.
Profile Image for Jillian.
2,525 reviews32 followers
December 9, 2015
The book was sweet - I liked some of the different things the scarf ended up getting used for. I didn't like them all, though, because I couldn't quite tell what they all were. The illustrations really left a lot to be desired; they were supposed to be simple, but they ended up looking more sloppy than anything.


Profile Image for Mary.
3,649 reviews10 followers
December 13, 2015
The story begins with a bear losing a scarf and continues with the scarf being repeatedly lost and found again and again by a number of different animals. The scarf provides some fun at first but eventually becomes a source of friction. This is highly creative storytelling that only uses two words throughout the story: lost & found, yet manages with the illustrations to tell a humorous and poignant narrative about community, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
Profile Image for Linda .
4,203 reviews52 followers
November 8, 2015
I read this first with my granddaughter, and then we looked again and again. In simple sketches, with only two words, the story of a lost scarf shows beautifully what happens when everyone wants something without consideration for another. My granddaughter said: “I think this book is about people working better together. They figured out what was better.” She’s right.
Profile Image for CharityJ.
893 reviews14 followers
December 8, 2015
Love the concept of this book. Using only two words in the book, Cordell expertly uses the illustrations to show how perspective changes depending on who's doing the losing and finding. I'm a fan of his illustration style and think the frenetic drawings perfectly reflect the frenzied scenes in the book. Love it!
Profile Image for Sandy Brehl.
Author 8 books134 followers
January 9, 2016
The two titles words form the total vocabulary for this story, so the reader must fully engage in each scenario as animal(s) repeat a series of encounters with a colorful scarf. Creativity, cooperation, exuberance, and exasperation lead to confrontation then collaboration and eventual resolution. Humor and charm abound.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,152 reviews
January 25, 2016
Bear loses his beautiful, long, red scarf on a blustery winter day. The forest animals who subequently find and lose the scarf enjoy many different uses for it from playful to practical. Unfortunately the scarf unravels. What can alo the animals do now? You'll have to read Lost. Found. by Marsha Diane Arnold to find out. for ages 3 -10.
Profile Image for Romelle.
Author 4 books24 followers
December 22, 2015
A nearly wordless picture book with only two words used to tell the story of a scarf gone missing and found over and over again. I find it fun to see the scarf used in many ways by critters who end up finding it. A story of resourcefulness and in the end, friendship. Interesting and unique concept.
Profile Image for Ruth Ann.
2,039 reviews
November 21, 2015
Only two words: Lost. Found.

Bear loses his scarf. Many other animals find his scarf, use it and subsequently lose it. When bear finds his scarf again, it has been reduced to yarn. Bear has a solution. :)
Profile Image for Gail Wylde.
1,058 reviews24 followers
April 9, 2016
I received this book as part of the Goodreads giveaways and I have to say a big thank you!
I loved this little book, it is very simple but there is so much to talk about with the wonderful illustrations. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to share it with my grandchildren!
712 reviews12 followers
December 2, 2016
Just those two words accompany Matthew Cordell's charming illustrations.
Due to the smaller size of the book, this book would be better as a one on one rather than reading to a large group, but the kids still enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jenn.
2,321 reviews9 followers
July 13, 2015
Bear loses his scarf and other animals find and lose it, too. A great story for teamwork and knitting/crocheting.
Profile Image for Bethe.
6,954 reviews69 followers
December 5, 2015
Delightful in all ways! Illustrations carry the story as the text is only 2 words. Great for predicting - young readers should notice which animal is next - love the last page!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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