LOST AND FOUND by Natalie Shampanier
ILLUSTRATOR: David Pavon
GENRE: Children’s Picture Book
PUBLISHER: Artichoke Heart Publishing
RELEASE DATE: December 22, 2022
PAGES: 32
Forgotten toys at a summer camp ground
Are tossed into the camp’s Lost and Found.
But Dino Boy refuses to spend his days on a shelf
He sets out to escape and find a home for himself.
A ballerina, a hippo, and a mood ring tag along
On this great adventure to find where they belong.Award-winning screenwriter and family therapist Natalie Shampanier draws from her experience with adopted children to create a poignant rhyming tale about determination, friendship and the search for love. This beautifully illustrated book is a perfect read-aloud for early readers and shared family story time!
Lost and Found by Natalie Shampanier is a super cute little story with charming illustrations! Just on its own merit, without looking for any deeper meaning, it will easily appeal to littles and the adults who love them. The lilting rhymes match the feel of the adorable toys who star in the tale (that little Dino Boy is just the cutest!), and the whole book is sure to leave a smile on everyone’s face. While I haven’t yet had the chance to read it with my 3-year-old niece or 5-year-old nephew I think they will both love it.
When you do look beyond its initial face value, though, you begin to appreciate this sweet book even more. For tucked away amid the bright colors and charming text is a gentle message of friendship, belonging and adoption. These abandoned toys have so much love to give and want to be loved back in return and, they join forces to help each other go from lost to found. There will come a time when you (and the toys) will fear all hope is lost but hang in there! ‘Found’ is just around the corner 🙂
Bottom Line: Lost and Found by Natalie Shampanier made me nostalgic for the days when I just knew that my stuffed animals occupied themselves with adventure during the times when I wasn’t around (thank you, The Christmas Toy holiday special in the 80s, long before Toy Story), and I love that it can help reinforce that idea for today’s kids. David Pavon’s illustrations add to the charm and warmth of the book, and kids will enjoy getting to know all the toys. It is a precious read for toddlers and early readers, and adults will enjoy it too.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / really cute!
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Natalie has been rhyming ever since she was small,
And she’s still only pushing five feet tall.
She couldn’t keep rhyming while working as a shrink,
Somehow patients prefer prose when feeling on the brink.
She went on to write movies inspired by her childhood,
In a little known town called Hollywood.
Her last film, “Paper Spiders” was a critical success,
But her kids are her greatest achievement nonetheless.
Raising her three wildlings is always a riot
She enjoys absolutely no peace and quiet.
Her nonverbal 10 year old who speaks only in signs
Inspired this picture book with limited lines.
Thank you for giving Natalie’s bio a look,
Hope you enjoy reading her latest book.
What about you? What makes you want to read Lost and Found by Natalie Shampanier with a child in your life?
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