Found

by Salina Yoon, Salina Yoon (Illustrator)

Overview

When Bear finds a lost stuffed toy bunny in the forest, he begins to worry. After all, the stuffed bunny must feel lonely and want to return safely to its owner and home! But as Bear searches for the bunny's owner, he begins to grow attached to his newfound friend. What will happen when the bunny's owner finally comes forward? Was Bear meant to find Bunny all along?

This endearing story celebrates love and friendship in many forms and reminds us that nothing is lost that is not meant to be found.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802735591
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/01/2014
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Salina Yoon is the award-winning author/illustrator of nearly 200 books for children, including Penguin and Pinecone, Penguin on Vacation, Penguin in Love, Penguin and Pumpkin, and Found! She lives in San Diego with her family.

Visit Salina online at www.salinayoon.com.

Editorial Reviews

Yoon's style of illustration is bright and bold. Like Lucy Cousins (of the Maisy books), she uses thick black rough-edged outlines and flat expanses of cheerful, bright colors; easy for little children to understand. Her animals resemble plush toys, but their faces clearly express their emotions. It's a terrific combination for preschoolers and early readers who will sympathize with Bear's competing desires.

The New York Times - Sarah Harrison Smith

★ 01/27/2014
This story will undoubtedly be celebrated for its lessons on honesty and responsibility, but that’s not giving Yoon (Penguin in Love) enough credit: it’s also a thoughtful, flawlessly executed exploration of theory of mind and emotional intelligence. A bear cub finds an abandoned toy stuffed rabbit, which promptly finds its way into his heart (“Bear thought it was the most special thing he had ever seen”). As much as Bear wants to keep the bunny, he also empathizes with the “bunny’s family” (they “must be so worried”) and the cuddly but impassive bunny itself. It’s these feelings, rather than an obligatory or on-high dictate of “right and wrong,” that propel Bear on a comprehensive search for bunny’s owner—an impressive show of competence, thoroughness, and agency that also enables Bear to endure when the owner comes forward. Yoon’s simple, subtly textured shapes; bright colors; and eloquent, economic language invite readers to be part of the story without dictating how they should feel, making the happy ending all the more touching and satisfying. Ages 3–6. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

When Bear finds a toy rabbit in the forest, he thinks it is the most special thing he has ever seen. He hugs it gently as he takes it home. Bear loves the stuffed animal, but he knows he has to do the right thing. He makes a bunch of flyers about where the rabbit can be found and posts them throughout the forest. He looks carefully at notices for lost items, but no rabbit is listed. He spends the whole day looking for the bunny’s owner to no avail. The next day, Bear and the rabbit play games and share a picnic lunch. The day is perfect until Bear hears Moose holler, “Floppy, my bunny!” Bear hands the bunny to Moose. Moose gives Floppy a huge hug and then he hands Floppy back to Bear. He explains that he is grown up now and he wants his childhood toy to be loved by someone special. Bear’s happiness is complete. Floppy has a new home, safe and found. The illustrations featuring large shapes in primary colors contribute to the gentle action and characterizations of the story. A good choice for story time sharing. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.; Ages 3 to 6.

Children's Literature - Phyllis Kennemer

05/01/2014
PreS-Gr 1—Bear finds a lost toy bunny in the forest and adores it instantly. Bravely, he does the right thing by putting up "Found" notices and searching diligently for the bunny's owner. Just when he thinks no one will claim it, Moose recognizes his lost lovey. Bear prepares for a tearful parting, but Moose has outgrown the toy (as indicated by his necktie) and gladly passes it on to an appreciative Bear. "Floppy was home, safe and FOUND!" Bear is such a good guy: he cares about others' feelings, he's proactive, he's even responsible enough to wear a helmet while riding a tricycle. It's impossible not to like him. The consistently inanimate portrayal of Floppy emphasizes the intensity of Bear's feelings and imagination. The simplicity of the understated text lets the emotion shine through. Thick-lined, opaque digital paintings offer dramatic perspectives alternating with straightforward scenes. Humorous touches include a bulletin board of clever LOST flyers and a little bird who follows Bear around, clearly interested in Floppy's fate. A touching, satisfying story that models healthy love between people and their toys.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

School Library Journal

2014-02-19
Bear finds a wonderful toy. Bear clearly loves the toy bunny that he has found sitting up against a tree in the forest, but he wants to help it return to its home. With a wagon full of fliers and the bunny secure in Bear's backpack, he festoons the trees with posters and checks out a bulletin board filled with lost and found objects (some of which will bring a chuckle to adult readers). Alas, he returns home still worried about bunny. The following day, they happily play together and ride Bear's tricycle. Into the cozy little picture steps Moose, who immediately recognizes his bunny, named Floppy. Bear has a tear in his eye as he watches Moose and Floppy hug. But Moose, wearing a tie, is clearly grown and knows that it is time to share and that Bear will take very good care of his Floppy. Yoon's story is sweet without being sentimental. She uses digitized artwork in saturated colors to create a lovely little world for her animals. They are outlined in strong black lines and stand out against the yellows, blues, greens and oranges of the background. She also uses space to great effect, allowing readers to feel the emotional tug of the story. A winning tale about finding new friends. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

A terrific combination for preschoolers and early readers who will sympathize with Bear's competing desires.” —New York Times Book Review

“A thoughtful, flawlessly executed exploration of theory of mind and emotional intelligence.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A winning tale about finding new friends.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Charm and warmth suffuse every page of this book, and the message that it's important to do the right thing even when it's hard is one that everyone needs to hear.” —Library Media Connection

“The story is as simple as can be, but the emotions behind it are complex, and Yoon's bright, thick-lined digital illustrations reflect that—they're both cute as heck and heartbreaking, and alternate between amusing panoramas and emotional close-ups. Knuffle Bunny fans, hark!” —Booklist

“Snuggle up with a favorite stuffed pal for a cozy lap read.” —BCCB

“A touching, satisfying story that models healthy love between people and their toys.” —School Library Journal

“Crisp illustrations that capture a genuinely loving heart . . . a strong if whimsical choice for those separated from loved ones.” —Kirkus Reviews on Penguin and Pinecone

“This picture book, like many before it, proves that love comes in many forms.” —Booklist on Penguin and Pinecone

“Simple yet affecting . . . ideal for a lesson plan on friendship, this book explores the theme sweetly and boldly.” —Library Media Connection, recommended, on Penguin and Pinecone

From the Publisher