Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories

by Jim LaMarche

Overview

Anna looked all around her. The sky was getting dark. "I think we should go home now, Molly." But which way was home?

In three heartwarming stories, celebrated illustrator Jim LaMarche lovingly depicts tales of being lost, being found, finding home, and, most important, the dogs who help us find our way. One lost dog is rescued, another pup leads a frightened child home, and a fractured family finds a fresh start through the love of a dog. Featuring exquisite artwork, this joyful, touching collection will be cherished by anyone who has ever loved a dog. Plus, this version includes audio and a read-along setting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452125237
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	11/30/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jim LaMarche has been enchanting readers since 1992, when his illustrations for Laura Krauss Melmed's The Rainbabies earned him international acclaim. He is the father of three sons and lives with his wife in central California.

Editorial Reviews

LaMarche's (Up) gentle artwork distinguishes this collection, gracefully rendering the special bond between dogs and children. In the first story, Anna's retriever Molly leads the way home after the girl runs off in anger and gets lost; in the second, Jules enjoys a happy reunion with his pet Ginger after the scruffy dog disappears in the woods. Jack finds a husky named Yuki, whose owner gives Jack's single mother a fresh start in the final tale. LaMarche reports events simply ("Molly sniffed the ground. She sniffed the air. Then she looked back at Anna and wagged her tail"), and the action centers on the children, who show initiative and persistence. Some readers may find the characters a little goody-goody, while others may see them as simply innocent and free of irony. What's indisputable is LaMarche's talent as a draftsman. The soft colors of autumn unite the stories visually, and the pages are full of activity. Even the endpapers are covered with portraits of the dogs, as though LaMarche's love for them has overflowed beyond the bounds of the stories. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

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Publishers Weekly

LaMarche offers three short stories about children and their dogs in this visually appealing, large-format tribute to the powerful connection between kids and canines. The soft-focus illustrations, drawn with colored pencils and watercolor washes, employ a muted palette that infuses the book with a dreamy feeling. The dogs are the stars here: an Irish setter who follows a little girl running away from home, a mixed-breed terrier who is lost on a hike and then found and a Malamute who is taken in by a lonely boy who finds a new home with the dog's original owner. The emotionally satisfying illustrations are stronger than the text, which is often too wordy and sometimes just a little dull; their gentle charm carries the total effort. Each of the three main characters and the three dogs has a distinct personality, and children who love dogs (especially those who long for a canine companion) will find this a touching triad. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"LaMarche's gentle artwork distinguishes this collection, gracefully rendering the special bond between dogs and children."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"LaMarche's gentle artwork distinguishes this collection, gracefully rendering the special bond between dogs and children."

BOOKLIST
"As usual, LaMarche s softly textured acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations in mellow, golden-tinged hues delight the eye.... the winsome artwork superbly captures both the action and the emotion of these heartwarming stories."

BOOKLIST
"As usual, LaMarche s softly textured acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations in mellow, golden-tinged hues delight the eye.... the winsome artwork superbly captures both the action and the emotion of these heartwarming stories."

KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Each of the three main characters and the three dogs has a distinct personality, and children who love dogs (especially those who long for a canine companion) will find this a touching triad."

KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Each of the three main characters and the three dogs has a distinct personality, and children who love dogs (especially those who long for a canine companion) will find this a touching triad."

From the Publisher