The House of Lost and Found by Martin Widmark - ADVISABLE

The House of Lost and Found by Martin Widmark, illustrated by Emilia Dziubak. PICTURE BOOK. Floris Books, 2018. $18. 9781782505426

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Niles has lost a lot in his life and gloominess has set in. He no longer reads or smiles or takes care of his house. Then one day a neighbor drops by a pot for Niles to take care of while the neighbor is on vacation. As the plant starts to grow, Niles starts to feel joy and energy return to him. 

Large, beautiful and moody illustrations make this a book that will stick with the reader for a long time. The tone of this book is predominantly mellow and somber, but the message is lovely. This is a great book for identifying with more than one character - sometimes we are the neighbor reaching out and sometimes we are the gloomy old man. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher