Somewhere Lost

Somewhere Lost by Just Write For Kids Australia and Friends (Daisy Lane Publishing/Just Write For Kids Australia) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781763670051

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Walter the duck has ‘a terrible sense of direction’. Luckily his friend, Scout the frog, always keeps him ‘on track’. Until the day that Walter loses Scout! As the befuddled duck meanders through a multitude of magnificent realms – from a snowy forest and a sandy desert to smelly Sockville – he becomes more and more determined to keep going until he finds his little green pal.

Written and illustrated by a wealth of talented Australian creatives, Somewhere Lost is a love letter to the imagination. The simple storyline introduces two charming characters that four-to eight-year-olds are sure to fall in love with. Lyrical language and pops of poetry are scattered across the spreads like lustrous literary gems for youngsters to discover.

Each dynamic and delightful illustration has been created by a different artist in their own unique style. This choice could have been jarring, but instead it adds a unique layer of excitement to the reading of the book. Kids will never know what they’re about to see until they turn the page: the jumble of a collage jungle … swirls of worry in Walter’s head … a rippling reflective ocean of purples and blues. There’s a surprise around every corner. 

Children will adore wandering through wonderful worlds with Walter. But, more importantly, they will cheer when his choice to carry on eventually leads him to Scout. This subtle lesson in the power of persistence is certainly worth getting lost for!