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Little Critter
Just Lost!
When Little Critter stops to tie his shoelace at the crowded mall, he loses sight of his mother and is taken to the security office where he waits for his mother to be found.
24 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1999
10 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Mercer Mayer
772 books791 followersMercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 27, 2024
What talented people!! Such cute drawings, I always looked for the spider when reading to my children and would ask them if they could find it too.
May 6, 2021
I think may children fear getting lost and almost every parents fears losing their children. This would be a good book to read to introduce that topic and help children know that when they are lost they will be found. It can start the conversation on what should your child do if they are lost. It would be a good conversation to have regularly.
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January 25, 20222009
August 25, 2022
A cute take on being lost at the mall, from the kids point of view. Our four year old loved this one, and wanted to read it two nights in a row before bed
September 19, 2019
This isn't among my favorite Little Critter books, but it does lend itself to a conversation about what a child should do when he/she is lost. (Note: Little Critter's experience might seem fun to a young reader.)
May 24, 2015
It's just as scary for a Little Critter's mother to get lost in a noisy, bustling mall as it is for a Little Critter to do so, as we see in this entertaining and comforting collaboration by the esteemed writing team of Gina and Mercer Mayer. Strolling among hundreds of friendly strangers doesn't feel so frightening when you have a parent to guide you, but being stranded by yourself in that crowd can feel awfully lonesome. Just Lost! sees Little Critter through to the light at the other end of his harrowing ordeal, where he and his family happily emerge together. It also shows young readers the right things to do if they, themselves, ever end up lost.
Little Critter's mother has plenty to distract her when she, Little Critter, and his younger sister and brother visit the shopping mall. Little Critter intends on adhering to his mother's instructions to stay by her side, but a brief stop to tie his shoelaces by himself is enough to separate them, and now Little Critter has no idea what to do. Rather than be so overwhelmed by fear that he just sits and cries, he makes tracks to the sales clerk at a nearby toy shop. The friendly clerk knows what to do, getting hold of security so a guard can lead Little Critter to his office. A short time later our lost Little Critter is reunited with his worried family, after a mostly painless experience in which everyone involved did exactly what they were supposed to. Little Critter was even allowed to play with the merchandise at the toy shop as he waited for the security guard, and later on the guard let him wear his uniform hat and explore the items in the lost and found. Getting lost wasn't so bad, but I think Little Critter will be more careful in the future to stick with his parents when he's in a busy place. After all, "Mom just hates getting lost at the mall."
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter series is the real deal when you're talking legendary American picture books. The man never runs out of ideas, and all of them are done warmly and imaginatively. Just Lost! is vintage Mercer Mayer, and I recommend it.
Little Critter's mother has plenty to distract her when she, Little Critter, and his younger sister and brother visit the shopping mall. Little Critter intends on adhering to his mother's instructions to stay by her side, but a brief stop to tie his shoelaces by himself is enough to separate them, and now Little Critter has no idea what to do. Rather than be so overwhelmed by fear that he just sits and cries, he makes tracks to the sales clerk at a nearby toy shop. The friendly clerk knows what to do, getting hold of security so a guard can lead Little Critter to his office. A short time later our lost Little Critter is reunited with his worried family, after a mostly painless experience in which everyone involved did exactly what they were supposed to. Little Critter was even allowed to play with the merchandise at the toy shop as he waited for the security guard, and later on the guard let him wear his uniform hat and explore the items in the lost and found. Getting lost wasn't so bad, but I think Little Critter will be more careful in the future to stick with his parents when he's in a busy place. After all, "Mom just hates getting lost at the mall."
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter series is the real deal when you're talking legendary American picture books. The man never runs out of ideas, and all of them are done warmly and imaginatively. Just Lost! is vintage Mercer Mayer, and I recommend it.
June 15, 2009
The Little Critter series mostly consist of short stories about a child whose ordinary experiences young readers will identify with. Many of them are useful for introducing new (and potentially frightening) scenarios to young readers. In this one, Little Critter gets separated from his mother and brother at the mall, so he finds a clerk in a store to have his mother paged. The story is narrated by Little Critter who tells of his experiences with sly irony-- he reports to the clerk, "My mom is lost!" and when he is reunited with his family, he declares, "I knew she was glad I found them." Children will enjoy this humorous perspective, which lightens the fear that accompanies Little Critter's vulnerable situation.
We have used the Little Critter books to prepare our children for new experiences, and this one in particular is helpful because Little Critter does exactly what a lost child should do: he finds a woman with a name tag, working behind a cash register, who introduces him to a security guard wearing a uniform. Not only does this book prepare a child for the emotional challenges of being lost, it also provides an example of what to do, and introduces the kinds of people most likely to protect and help a lost child. The story quality is good, but not exceptional, so I recommend reading this book a few times until the lesson is learned, and then phasing it out.
We have used the Little Critter books to prepare our children for new experiences, and this one in particular is helpful because Little Critter does exactly what a lost child should do: he finds a woman with a name tag, working behind a cash register, who introduces him to a security guard wearing a uniform. Not only does this book prepare a child for the emotional challenges of being lost, it also provides an example of what to do, and introduces the kinds of people most likely to protect and help a lost child. The story quality is good, but not exceptional, so I recommend reading this book a few times until the lesson is learned, and then phasing it out.
September 19, 2012
This is an excellent book for kids to read. I have always been a huge fan of all of the Mercer Mayer books and this one is no exception. Little Critter gets separated in the mall from his mom and siblings as it is really busy. This book teaches kids a good lesson in what to do when you get separated from someone you are with. Little Critter goes to find a worker to help him locate his family. I think this book could also help with fears students may have when they get separated from whom they are with. It also has a sense humor for the kids because Little Critter states that "Mom was lost at the mall!!" instead of saying he was lost. At the end, Little Critter also says that since his mom looked super worried that he was braver than his mom. Many kids will find this humorous in the book and really enjoy it. The illustrations are also something in which I think kids would really enjoy. Every page is filled with many different drawings that would interest the students.
June 22, 2023
My daughter absolutely loved this book when she was younger like young like five years old. She is now 16 years old and we laughed when she got lost at the mall yesterday. We thought of this story and chuckled.
July 10, 2018
These books are always a hit with my little one.
May 9, 2018
Alissa loves how mom gets lost at the mall.
October 20, 2018
Another one of my favorite Little Critter books!
December 11, 2018
This is an ok book. I don’t like that the mom gets lost. I’m not a fan of the Critter books.
April 10, 2019
I read this to the last student in class today. It wasn’t bad.
December 30, 2019
Cute little read with a good lesson, while still being funny and light. I love Little Critter’s little mouse that follows him everywhere. He is hands down the best part of the book!
January 7, 2020
A classic Critter story. Reminds me I have to begin to teach my three year old what to do if he ever gets lost (Side note: Find a toy store!).
December 31, 2023
Limit character development but solid story. I was not surprised by the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
Getting lost at the mall is the scariest thing EVER—unless youre Little Critter! 🛍️ too funny yet clever!
~ young author ✍🏾
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
~ young author ✍🏾
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
May 25, 2025
Big Fan of Little Critter books currently. This one is a favorite that T asks to be read over and over.
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May 26, 2016Sierra Birdsall - Just Lost by Gina and Mercer Mayer
Little critter's stories are one I think young reader fall in love with. I know I did when I was a child. I just came across this book searching those some piles of books that I have put away for future use. I also came across serial more of the Little Critter series. After reading through this one (Just Lost), it took be back to when I went on a UPK field trip to the zoo. What better story to read to UPK student about getting lost in a crowd of people. The author does a great job expressing Little Critters fear and nervousiness when he noticed he got seperated from his mom. The book can definitely be a tool to teach students what to do in situations like this. Little Critter found a mall worker and told her what was going on. Using this in a classroom right before a field trip I think is something I would do. There are many points to pull from this book, such as: the importance to stay close to the adult, to follow direction of the adult, and if it happens to find the closes worker and tell them what is going on. I would also have a discussion about the emotions either side would experience. In this case, Little Critter and mom.
Book series are such a great resource to use in the classroom of young students. It allows them to identify with the same character in many different ways. The same character faces multiple task or problems such as students are going to in life.
Little critter's stories are one I think young reader fall in love with. I know I did when I was a child. I just came across this book searching those some piles of books that I have put away for future use. I also came across serial more of the Little Critter series. After reading through this one (Just Lost), it took be back to when I went on a UPK field trip to the zoo. What better story to read to UPK student about getting lost in a crowd of people. The author does a great job expressing Little Critters fear and nervousiness when he noticed he got seperated from his mom. The book can definitely be a tool to teach students what to do in situations like this. Little Critter found a mall worker and told her what was going on. Using this in a classroom right before a field trip I think is something I would do. There are many points to pull from this book, such as: the importance to stay close to the adult, to follow direction of the adult, and if it happens to find the closes worker and tell them what is going on. I would also have a discussion about the emotions either side would experience. In this case, Little Critter and mom.
Book series are such a great resource to use in the classroom of young students. It allows them to identify with the same character in many different ways. The same character faces multiple task or problems such as students are going to in life.
September 5, 2011
Absolutely the worst book ever, from a safety viewpoint!
I'm glad to see that this book no longer appears to be in print new. Little Critter books have often been favorites of my kids, but this one actually found its way to the trash (something that makes me cringe)because of the HORRENDOUS message it gives about getting separated from your parent in a store. First, Little Critter doesn't stay in the store that he loses his mom in. He doesn't ask another mom to help, which is the first thing a lost child should do. Next, instead of staying with the female clerk of the toy store while they search for his mom, he leaves ALONE with a security guard and goes ALONE to a security office with this guard. All of these things are absolutely contrary to any responsible advice that a child safety expert would give, and could put the child in much more danger. Please do not buy this book, and instead buy one of the many quality little critter books after familiarizing yourself with them. This book will teach your child to be UNSAFE in a lost situation.
Also, please consider reading Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift, both books will give you insights into safety for yourself and your children that you will be glad to have.
I'm glad to see that this book no longer appears to be in print new. Little Critter books have often been favorites of my kids, but this one actually found its way to the trash (something that makes me cringe)because of the HORRENDOUS message it gives about getting separated from your parent in a store. First, Little Critter doesn't stay in the store that he loses his mom in. He doesn't ask another mom to help, which is the first thing a lost child should do. Next, instead of staying with the female clerk of the toy store while they search for his mom, he leaves ALONE with a security guard and goes ALONE to a security office with this guard. All of these things are absolutely contrary to any responsible advice that a child safety expert would give, and could put the child in much more danger. Please do not buy this book, and instead buy one of the many quality little critter books after familiarizing yourself with them. This book will teach your child to be UNSAFE in a lost situation.
Also, please consider reading Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift, both books will give you insights into safety for yourself and your children that you will be glad to have.
November 28, 2015
This book is an old time favorite there are lots of little critter books. Brother and his family go to the busy mall where he stops for a moment but when he looks around his family is no longer in site. Brother become very scared he wanted to give up and cry but instead he decided to be brave and go looking for help. The mall workers are all very helpful to brother they watch the monitors until he is able to find his family. This is a good book for all children because sometimes things can happen and they can get split up from their family and friends and instead of panicking they can go find help like brother. The illustrations in this book cover every page with colorful pictures. You can look at the pictures and see the emotions brother is going through when he losses his mom he becomes worried but in the end when he is reunited with his family he is happy again. This is another good book to ask children about how they think brother feels and what they think brother should do.
January 29, 2015
This has got to be my favourite Little Critter book. The children in my class also seem to really enjoy it. I think they can all relate to it on some level.
Little Critter goes to the mall with his mom and it's really busy. He bends down to tie his shoe lace and his mom is gone. Little Critter can't find her, he knows his mom is lost. He finds a Security guard and tells him that his mom is lost, and they go back to the Security station to look for her on the security monitors. The Security guard makes an announcement for Little Critters mom, and another Security guard brings her to the Security room.
Little Critters mom was scarred and Little Critter was glad to see his mom.
I think almost every parent & child can relate to the fear and worry of being lost, even if it was just for a heart beat.
Little Critter goes to the mall with his mom and it's really busy. He bends down to tie his shoe lace and his mom is gone. Little Critter can't find her, he knows his mom is lost. He finds a Security guard and tells him that his mom is lost, and they go back to the Security station to look for her on the security monitors. The Security guard makes an announcement for Little Critters mom, and another Security guard brings her to the Security room.
Little Critters mom was scarred and Little Critter was glad to see his mom.
I think almost every parent & child can relate to the fear and worry of being lost, even if it was just for a heart beat.
October 27, 2011
We've read several of the Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer and we really like them. They are fun to read, but usually have a moral, depict proper vs. improper behavior, or just express emotions which children can relate to. This story describes a situation when Little Critter gets separated from the rest of his family at the mall. It shows children what they can do if they end up in the same situation. Our youngest brought this book home from her first grade class to practice her reading. We enjoyed reading it together and we discussed a little bit about our own experiences and what we would expect her to do if she found herself separated from us.
September 1, 2008
My nieces and I really like the Little Critter books.
They're short, they're funny, they're topical, and they're cheap.
This details what happens to Little Critter when he - I mean, his *mother* - gets lost.
He does exactly what I would have done at his age, what I was told to do - he finds somebody in a store, eats a snack, and has his mother paged.
Perfectly sensible, and everybody gets found.
They're short, they're funny, they're topical, and they're cheap.
This details what happens to Little Critter when he - I mean, his *mother* - gets lost.
He does exactly what I would have done at his age, what I was told to do - he finds somebody in a store, eats a snack, and has his mother paged.
Perfectly sensible, and everybody gets found.
January 21, 2015
I remember having a huge collection of the Little Critter books when I was little. They were some of my favorites. This particular book follows Little Critter getting lost in the store, or as he puts it "My mom is lost." He finds the help he needs from a nice cashier and a security guard. This book is a good story for young children who have possibly been lost before, as well as showing them who to ask for help if they ever do get lost in this situation.
December 11, 2007
Summary: Little Critter bends down to tie his shoe and when he gets up, he doesn't know where his mom was! He goes to a toy store, and security is called. He was so proud of himself for being so brave!
Reflection: Great lesson of what to do if you are lost in a mall. Illustrations are perfect for the story.
Themes/Connections: being lost, bravery, talking animals
Reflection: Great lesson of what to do if you are lost in a mall. Illustrations are perfect for the story.
Themes/Connections: being lost, bravery, talking animals
July 5, 2011
This is my favorite one of the collection so far...because I recall both of my sisters from different incidents getting lost in the mall several times and drove me, my sister, and mom crazy. Sometimes, they hid under the clothing racks. They were not brave like this critter and got help to find his Mommy but said his mom was the one lost. Funny and true!
March 18, 2013
This book is about little critter getting separated from his family. This would be a good book to read aloud to students to show them what to do if they get lost. It might be a little scary messages but kids need to know it.
February 14, 2010
Little Critter gets lost in the mall.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews