Lost and Found

by Bill Harley, Adam Gustavson (Illustrator)

Courage yields unexpected surprises when Justin visits his school's dreaded lost and found. A witty, award-winning story about childhood fears from Bill Harley and Adam Gustavson.When Justin loses the special hat his grandmother made for him, he looks everywhere for it. Everywhere, that is, except the lost and found. Mr. Rumkowsky, the old school custodian, is the keeper of all the lost and found items, and everyone is afraid of him—including Justin. When he finally musters the courage to enter Mr. Rumkowsky's domain, he discovers a whole world of treasures. But things keep getting weirder and weirder, until way down at the bottom of Rumkowsky's giant box, Justin unearths something completely unexpected...

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Mystery

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

A two-time Grammy award-winning artist and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the RI Council for the Humanities, Bill uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. His work spans the generation gap, reminds us of our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves. A prolific author and recording artist, Bill tours nationwide as an author, performing artist and keynote speaker.

Reviews

[Maren Banwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Today we are going to read a story called Lost and Found by Bill Harley.” Show book cover to students. “As you look at the illustration on the cover, how do you think this boy is feeling right now?” Students respond. “I am going to read the first two pages and I want you to be thinking about some other words to describe how Justin is feeling and what problem he is facing.” (He’s feeling scared and guilty because he lost the hat his grandma made him and she’s coming to visit soon) “What is Justin feeling?” Students respond. “Why is he feeling that way?” Students respond. “Why do you think everyone is so scared of Mr. Rumkowsky?” Students respond. “Let’s read on to see if Justin is brave enough to talk to Mr. Rumkowsky and if he is able to find his hat.”

•Draws attention to character traits through illustration and text
•Read some of the text to engage and to identify the conflict in the story
•Prompt hypothesizing based on situation

[Amy Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair, C. (2013). [Review of the book Lost and found by B. Harley]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=d...

I think the above review is an accurate review of the book. I was pleasantly surprised when reading the review, it is pointed out that the enormous box of the lost and found says, "Caution. Circus Animals. This side up". For some reason I missed that when I was reading the book to my students and of course after reading this review I had to see for myself!

[Audreona Ferren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a young boy who lost his hat at school. The hat is very special to him because his grandma made it. His grandmother was coming to town soon and he needed to have that hat. His mom kept telling him to look in the lost and found at school. However, all of the kids were terrified to look in the lost and found because that meant they had to talk to the mean janitor. He decided to look for the hat on his own first. After he had looked everywhere and asked all of his friends, he had no other choice than to look in the lost and found. He looked, but it wasn't there. So he continued going back every day to look until he found something even better than his hat.

I liked how the pictures included children of different races. I didn't really like how the janitor was made out to be a mean and grumpy person. Mainly because the janitor typically gets the worst treatment in schools anyways. So, I wish they wouldn't have made him be mean. However, in the end, it showed that he really wasn't a mean guy.

I think this is just a cute book to read to the kids at the beginning of the year to talk about the lost and found. A lot of kids lose things throughout the year and for some reason, they do not like to look in the lost and found. In most schools, the lost and found is in a local spot now to where you can just walk up and get your things. So this would be good to remind them where to go if they lose something.

[Abigail Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. The illustrations were super well and enhanced the story. The overall message of don't be afraid to ask for help and not everyone is what they seem to be in the book was also really good. I think this story was done well.

[Kelsey Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great real world story for kids. Everyone is really nice and helpful and it has a cute ending.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would work for Responsibility for adopt-a-class.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the Charlie Bumpers novels, I think you'll enjoy this picture book. There is a steady flow of text, and humor as well.

[hjgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. If you like Bill Harley's Zanzibar, you'll like this!

[skcocnaH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, EXCEPT for how critical the Mom is.

[Lafcadio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, great art, loved the ending.

[Cassidy Wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay, but not my favorite. I did like the pictures at the end of the book though that give the reader another ending to the story. Picture Book.

[Lucy Meadors]

This stunning book written by Bill Harley and illustrated by Adam Gustavson tells the story of a little boy that has lost a very special hat. The little boy's grandmother made him a hat with a fuzzy red ball on top. The boy's grandmother is coming soon, so he HAS to find it. His mother constantly reminds him to look for the hat at school. At first, the little boy is determined to find the hat himself. He looks on the playground and asks some of his friends, and none of them had seen it. All of his friends had similar stories about losing something of theirs yet they were too afraid to ask Mr. Rumkowsky. After lunch one day, the little boy gathers the nerve to go look for his hat in Mr. Rumkowsky's office. The first few trips were unsuccessful, but he did find Devaun's jacket and Tamara's scarf. They are thrilled , and the little boy becomes sort of a Lost and Found hero. After a few trips to Mr. Rumkowsky's office, the little boy finally decides to look under the big box for his hat. At last, the fuzzy hat was found. The little boy was thrilled. That afternoon, his mother picked him up from school with his grandmother in the car. His grandmother gave him a huge smile. This sweet book warms the heart as you can tell the grandmother is proud that her grandson is wearing the hat she made. I believe this book should have been the 2013 Caldecott winner for a variety of reasons. The illustrations suck you into the scene, and make you connect with the little boy. Surely, everyone at some point has had to go through the Lost and Found to find something of theirs. It's so easy to connect with the little boy. The illustrations are extremely vivid with warm colors. My favorite illustration is the page of Mr. Rumkowsky's face. The detail on this page is exquisite. The reader can see the hairs on his mustache, the wrinkles on his face, and the crinkles in his jacket. His dark eyes make him seem like the grumbly old man as the little boy describes him. Throughout this little boy's journey through finding his fuzzy hat, the illustrator creates such vivid images in the reader's head.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin has lost his favorite hat! It is blue and white with orange stars all the way around the hat. The main reason it is his favorite hat is because his grandmother made it especially for him. He just has to find his hat.

Justin and some of his friends looked all over the playground at school for his hat. A friend told him it might be in the Lost and Found. But everyone was afraid of Mr. Rumkowsky the janitor and he was in charge of the Lost and Found. So instead of going to Lost and Found he searched all over his classroom and still had no luck finding his hat. He was not ready to go to Lost and Found. After several days of looking for the hat his mother reminded him to go to the Lost and Found.

OH, NO! That means he would have to face Mr. Rumkowsky.

Where could Justin find his hat? Will he face Mr. Rumkowsky at Lost and Found?

The author's tale is one many children have to face at one time are another. Like facing a teacher, librarian, principal or maybe even the janitor. He emphasizes on how kids feed on each others fear. When there is usually nothing there to fear but fear itself. The illustrations are right on with the authors story. The characters are realistic as is all the the lost and found depicted in the story. It is a fun tale of many things lost and found.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publishers for review. I was in no way compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost and Found, written by Bill Harley and illustrated by Adam Gustavson, is a nominee for the 2014-15 South Carolina Picture Book Award.

Lost and Found is a charming, colorful book about Justin, a boy who has lost his hat. He looks everywhere for this special hat made by his grandmother, but he can't find it anywhere. Eventually, he makes his way to the Lost and Found at school. Everyone avoids the Lost and Found because they're scared of the custodian, Mr. Rumkowsky.

Justin soon learns that Mr. Rumkowsky isn't so scary, and the Lost and Found is full of neat stuff, even things that his friends have been looking for! But he still can't find his hat. But what's that at the bottom of the Lost and Found box? Could it be his hat, or maybe something even more special?

Lost and Found is a wonderful picture book that lots of kids and adults will be able to relate to. After all, we've all lost things and had no clue where to find them! Sometimes, though, when we're looking for one thing, we find something even better!

This book could also be a cool gift for school custodians. I think they'll find humor in how the book ends!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every school or neighborhood has one--that elderly man or woman about whom all sorts of stories are told, often unfounded, prompting the children in the school or neighborhood to avoid him/her out of fear. In this book, the school janitor, Mr. Rumkowsky, is feared by the students, and Justin dreads asking him for help when he loses the hat his grandmother knitted just for him. But it turns out that Mr. Rumkovsky is a rather helpful man, not scary at all and that the Lost and Found is filled with all sorts of treasures unclaimed by Justin's classmates. In fact, when Justin finally finds the hat he has been looking for, it turns out that he and his mother have something in common. I like the voice in this story, and the repetition of the phrase "I knew that already," which certainly sounds like a youngster's voice. The illustrations, made from oil on watercolor paper, are lively and downright hilarious as Justin uncovers all sorts of long-lost stuff for which no one has bothered to look very hard.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: realistic fiction
Copyright: 2012

A boy, Justin lost his hat that his grandmother made for him. He must to find it because it's made by his grandmother, but he is afraid of going to the lost and found at school. Actually, all kids are afraid to go there although they loses things since they are too afraid to ask Mr. Rumkowsky who is the manager of the lost and found. Mr. Rumkowsky is very old and the lost and found is way down at the end of the scary hallway behind the cafeteria. In the beginning, Justin starts to find the hat by himself, but he just could not find it. Therefore, he decided to as Mr. Rumkowsky even though he is scared. After he went there, he found that Mr. Rumkowsky is not scary but a nice person. There is a huge box filled with all lost stuff. Justin keeps digging, and finds a lot of lost things for his friends. Finally, he found his hat, too!! This is a good book for teaching children about courage and perseverance.

[Lgourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost and found is like a treasure box waiting to be discovered. When Justin loses the hat that his grandmother made him his mom told him he better look in the lost and found at school. Justin would rather look anywhere but there. No one EVER goes to the lost and found because it's in Mr. Rumkowsky's office which is down the scary hallway behind the cafeteria. After Justin and his friends look everywhere he finally decides to be brave and go to Mr. Rumkowsky's office. Gulp. Will Justin find his hat? What else could possibly be in there?

Discuss with your students why the characters in the book are afraid of Mr. Rumkowsky and why they shouldn't be afraid of him. Then have the students write what the relationship between Mr. Rumkowsky and Justin is before Justin went to his office and how their relationship changed after. Have them infer what will happen next. (Bloom's analyzing and creating)

2nd grade

Harley, B. (2012). Lost and Found. Atlanta: Peachtree.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOST AND FOUND is an adorable story with beautiful illustrations that would be appropriate and enjoyable for children of all ages! When young Justin loses the special hat his grandmother made him *right* before her visit, he must face the dreaded Lost and Found department down the scary hallway at school. The worst part is the scary old man who guards the Lost and Found -- he's been there ever since Justin's mother went to that school and *every* kid on earth is terrified of him!

The ending was one that most definitely made me smile, which was a pleasant surprise. And I was really impressed by the attention to detail in each and every illustration throughout the story. They were definitely more intricate than what I'd normally expect to find in a book for young children.

Two thumbs up! Parents will love this one too, I know! :)

[Melanie Baxa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost and Found is a children's book written by Bill Harley. It has great illustrations and is the winner of the Golden Sower award. It is about a little boy who lost something very special to him and is willing to do anything to get it back, even if that means going and talking to the old and grumpy Mr. Rumkowsky. After finding some of his friends things they lost in Mr. Runkowsky's office he was determined to keep looking through everything he had until he found his hat. He went back every day and looked. Finally when he was about to give up, he found his hat, but it wasn't exactly his hat. I think this story would be great to read to your classroom, or have your students read themselves. It is an easy read with many pictures for the kids. I would recommend this book for the younger classes and children.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost & Found is a cute and ironic ending mystery about a boy who lost hat at school, but he was too afraid to ask the janitor, Mr. Rumkowsky. His hat was blue and white hat with orange stars, with no fuzzy red ball on top as it fell off. His mother keeps asking him if he found his hat was made by his grandmother. After much pressure, the boy decides to find the hat on his own, but after several failed attempts and avoidance of his friends advise to ask the janitor, he finally asks the janitor. Lo and behold, he finds it amongst his classmates lost items, but realizes that the hat had the red ball attached. Turns out, the hat that he found was his mother's hat when she was girl, who lost, it but was too afraid to ask the janitor, Mr. Rumkowsky.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think it will be a good addition to the book collection being created for my now-baby nieces. Lost and Found is about a child who loses a hat his grandmother made for him. In his search for it - he needs to find it as his gran is visiting this coming weekend - he must visit his school's Lost and Found, which is staffed by the very scary - to the kids, at least - Mr. Rumkowsky. I liked how Bill Harley described these scenes, and Adam Gustavson's illustrations were most excellent, too. :)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Justin loses the hat his grandmother made for him, his mom tells him he needs to find it no matter what. Mr. Rumkowsky, the school janitor, has a reputation for being a mean grouch. Justin braves his office and finds his friends' lost items but not his hat. Finally, on the day Justin's grandmother is arriving to visit, Justin finds a hat that looks almost exactly like his at the bottom of an enormous Lost and Found box. The name tag reveals that the hat belonged to his mother. A sweet and gentle twist that reminds us that parents and kids are all human.

Recommended for 1st and 2nd grade, this is an especially good story to read once winter sets in and the Lost and Found box is full of sweaters, hats, and mittens.

[ACS Book-finder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Madi, 5th grade student:

I read the book "Lost and Found" and I really enjoyed it. You can follow Justin on his adventure through the lost and found box to find his favorite hat. The big question is, "Will he find it in time?"

Note by ACS Blogger: The illustrations by Adam Gustavson again are very appropriate and appealing. Gustavson's creative art is from the perspective of a child's eye view and his two-page spreads are a delight. He really captures to essence of Justin's emotions and flow of the story.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Lost and Found was provided by the publisher, Peachtree, in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely our own. No compensation was received for this review.

[Haley Svendgard · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Good morning class. Today we are going to read the book "Lost And Found." Can anyone make a prediction about what this book is going to be about? Very good friends. Can anyone share a story about how they lost something at home, and then found it? Miss Haley will start and then ill call on some friends. My story is really funny. This morning, I couldn't find this book! I knew I had to read it to you guys today and I was looking all over the room for it. It finally showed up in the file cabinet. Isn't that silly?! Okay who wants to share their story?"

The two opening moves I used were prompt prediction based on title and prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme.

[Samantha Fate]

A great and cute story about a lost hat. I feel like many students can relate to having lost something at school and them feeling embarrassed or scared to look in the lost and found. The story about the boy’s lost hat goes like this, the boy loses his hat and is sacred to get it from the scary janitor. He grows the courage and goes and asks. The janitor has a huge box of lost and found things and tells the boy to go look for his hat he finds many things through the days that he looks for his hat, but not the hat. He finally finds the hat at the very bottom of the box, only it isn’t his hate, it is his mom’s from when she went to the same school. The illustrations are very detailed and done in oil paintings

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin has lost his hat. It's his special hat made by his grandmother. It is urgent that he find it as his grandmother is coming to visit and she will wonder where it is. Of course, Justin knows he lost it at school so he searches everywhere he can think of - except LOST AND FOUND! That is the last place you look for anything as it would mean talking to old Mr. Rumkowsky! Nevertheless, Justin is forced to go down the scariest hallway in school to visit the dreaded department. Justin finds out Mr. Rumkowsky isn't quite as scary as everyone thinks and the most amazing things can be found in LOST AND FOUND!!!!!! A fabulously fun and sweet story. The illustrations are awesome!

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything by Bill Harley and was compelled to log on to my library website and order several of his books after reading Lost and Found. Such a fantastic read aloud or independent read for children! The characters are all wonderfully developed and many delightful questions can be discussed over this simple yet fun story of a young boy who has lost his wool cap his grandmother knitted for him. Will he dare ask the cantankerous old Mr. Rumkowsky, the schools custodian for help? How does Justin’s opinion of Mr. Rumkowsky change by the end of the book? What do you think of Billy’s mother?

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Justin loses the hat his grandmother made for him, he is forced to look in the lost and found ... which means he has to talk to Mr. Rumkowsky. No one wants to go and see Mr. Rumkowksky, so they just forget about getting their items back. But not Justin. He is determined to find his hat, so he braves the dark hall and the gruff Mr. Rumkowsky. The huge box is filled with all of his friends' items, which he returns to them. He keeps going back and finding more intriguing things, but still no hat. Finally, he reaches the bottom of the box and there's a hat similar to his, but actually belonging to his mother when she was a girl.

Themes: persistence, tolerance

[Kinsey Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Have you ever lost something and had to look in lots of places to find it? Have you ever been a little afraid to ask an adult for help? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then you can relate to Justin in the book 'Lost and Found' by Bill Harley. He lost his hat his grandma made for him, and the only hope he has of finding it is by asking the scary janitor, Mr. Rumkowsky. Will he find his hat? There's only one way to find out!"

The opening moves I used for this story are raising questions to spark curiosity, foreshadowing the problem in the story, and raising questions in the readers' minds.

[Dest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great picture book for 3rd and 4th graders. It's a clever story about a boy who loses his hat and has to face the dreaded keeper of the lost and found, Mr. Rumkowsky. The boy's mom chides him for losing the hat because his grandmother made it for him, but when the boy finds his hat it turns out to be his mother's hat--and exact copy that she lost when she was a student at the same school. In a great little wordless follow-up, the reader sees Mr. Rumkowsky finding the boy's actual hat.