Lost - by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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"--

Book Synopsis

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.

*2025 CBC Children's Favorites Winner*

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.

Review Quotes

"Unexpected friendship and the joy of returning home make this uplifting story perfect to soothe young minds."

--Children's Literature

'Ilustrajo has a wonderful eye [...] vibrant colours'--The Observer

"stunningly illustrated story... a delight."--The Daily Mail

"No one will help a lost polar bear except a little girl, who shows that there is love and friendship in a big, cold city."--The Bookseller

CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK 'A beautiful picture book [...] illustrations are stylish and absorbing [...] a touching celebration of kindness and what it means to be found'--The Sunday Times

About the Author

Mariajo Ilustrajo is an award-winning Spanish illustrator based in the UK. She completed her MA in Children's Illustration from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, before going on to be crowned the overall winner of the World Illustration Awards. Her debut picture book, Flooded, has been translated into 20 languages and won the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration.