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Lost Thing

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( 5,901 ratings, 466 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Lost Thing by Shaun Tan is a whimsical and thought-provoking story about a boy who discovers a strange, lost creature in a dystopian world. As he searches for a place where the creature belongs, the narrative explores themes of belonging and curiosity, paired with Tan's imaginative illustrations that captivate young readers.
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Format: Hardback
$3499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate imaginative storytelling with stunning illustrations. It blends whimsy and wonder, inviting readers on a visually captivating journey while exploring themes of belonging and curiosity. Perfect for children and anyone young at heart who delights in a tale that encourages thinking outside the box.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A boy finds a lost 'thing' on the beach where he's scavenging for his bottle top collection. The thing is a large, freakish creature that no one really notices. A quirky tale about finding your place in the world.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A boy discovers a bizarre-looking creature while out collecting bottle-tops at a beach. Having guessed that it is lost, he tries to find out who owns it or where it belongs, but the problem is met with indifference by everyone else, who barely notices its presence.

Each is unhelpful in their own way; strangers, friends, parents are all unwilling to entertain this uninvited interruption to day-to-day life. In spite of his better judgement, the boy feels sorry for this hapless creature, and attempts to find out where it belongs.

Lost Thing by Shaun Tan explores themes of belonging and the human tendency to overlook the strange and misunderstood.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Lost Thing by Shaun Tan, illustrated with his signature style, is praised for its imaginative storytelling and intricate artwork. The book captivates readers with its poignant themes of belonging and discovery, wrapped in a narrative that invites both children and adults to reflect on the world through a whimsical lens. Critics often highlight its subtle, thought-provoking layers and the way it balances simplicity with depth in both text and visuals, making it a cherished addition to any collection.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780734400741

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 July 2000

Country: Australia

Imprint: Lothian Children's Books

Audience: General / adult, Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 243.0mm

Height: 317.0mm

Weight: 450g

Pages: 32

About the Author

Shaun Tan was born in 1974 and grew up in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. In school he became known as the 'good drawer' which partly compensated for always being the shortest kid in every class. He graduated from the University of WA in 1995 with joint honours in Fine Arts and English Literature, and currently works full time as a freelance artist and author in Melbourne. Shaun began drawing and painting images for science fiction and horror stories in small-press magazines as a teenager, and has since become best known for illustrated books that deal with social, political and historical subjects through surreal, dream-like imagery. Books such as THE RABBIT, THE RED TREE, THE LOST THING, and the acclaimed wordless novel THE ARRIVAL, have been widely translated throughout Europe, Asia and South America, and enjoyed by readers of all ages. Shaun has also worked as a theatre designer, and worked as a concept artist for the films 'Horton Hears a Who' and Pixar's 'WALL-E'. His short film, 'The Lost Thing' (based on his book), was released on DVD in November 2010 (Madman Entertainment).

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