Review: Lost & Found by Shaun Tan
by Jenners • 04/02/2011 • 3.5 Stars, Children's Books, Fiction, Graphic Novel, L Titles, T Authors • 49 Comments
Lost & Found by Shaun TanPublisher: Arthur A. Levine Books, April 2011
Pages: 128
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Where I Got It: Amazon Vine
My Rating: 3.5 stars
First of all, I’m not exactly sure how to go about classifying this book. It isn’t a graphic novel as it contains three short illustrated stories/fables. It isn’t a picture book (in the traditional sense) for young children. I suppose that it is a graphic picture book meant for older children and adults. It is one of those books that you need to see to fully understand, which is why this post will include several photos.
Perhaps the best way to review the book is to talk about the three different stories and share some of the illustrations, as I believe that Tan is known more for his illustrations than his writing.
The Red Tree is the first story in the book and was probably my favorite. I’d describe it as “a depressed person’s version of Dr. Suess’s Oh The Places You’ll Go.” The story starts with a little red-haired girl who wakes up to these lines: “sometimes the day begins with nothing to look forward to.” We then turn the page to see this:
From The Red Tree
Like the more upbeat Dr. Suess book, the girl ventures forth into the world, which is populated by fantastical and oftentimes dark images and words that do little to lift your spirits (“the world is a deaf machine/without sense or reason”). Like the Dr. Suess book, she even comes to a waiting place (shown below).
From The Red Tree
I was glad that the story ends with a sense of hope, as I was quite worried about where Tan was going to take this things. Still, some of the images lingered with me afterward, and I found myself returning to it for another look.
The Lost Thing is a bit more fanciful. A young boy (who reminded me of a Gary Larson cartoon) finds a lost thing that defies classification—it kind of looks like a big red teapot with legs. The boy decides to help the lost thing find its place in the world after realizing he cannot keep it at home.
From The Lost Thing
After traveling around the city, the boy and the lost thing eventually find what they are looking for and part ways—with the boy ending up losing quite a bit more than he anticipated in the process. The end of the story reminded me somewhat of The Little Prince (when you become a grown-up and stop seeing a boa constrictor inside of an elephant and instead start seeing a hat).
The illustrations were more complex in this story—with the drawings placed on top of text and engineering diagrams. I kept looking for hidden meanings and “clues” in the backgrounds of the picture—as well as in the repeated images of smoke clouds that I were sure meant something if I could only figure it out (see below).
From The Lost Thing
The Rabbits is a story written by John Marsden. Departing a bit in tone (due to the story being written by another writer) and look (I thought Tan’s art was strikingly different in this story with the use of brighter colors), The Rabbits tells the oft-told story of white people invading a land and displacing the native people, except Marsden and Tan substitute rabbits for humans (although Tan’s illustrations of the rabbits make it clear what they represent).
From The Rabbits
As you might expect, the rabbits destroy the land, the native animals and pollute everything in sight. The story isn’t subtle and even younger children will probably be able to make the leap that the “rabbits” represent “humans.”
From The Rabbits
In the end, I’m not quite sure what to make of this book or who would be the target audience. I suppose that the book might appeal to older children who have an artistic streak and a conscience. In addition, the book might appeal to adults who are interested in Shaun Tan’s art or who want to impart some deeper messages to their children. In the end, I didn’t fall in love with this book, but I do see its merits. However, I confess to feeling like I was missing something (nuances? deeper meanings?) in the illustrations. Like all complicated picture books, this one probably deserves a slow, lingering read and several revisits. For me personally, I just didn’t gravitate to Tan’s style, which was more muted and depressive than I prefer. However, I’m sure this book has an appeal to fans of Tan’s work and readers who like their “picture” books with more gravitas to them.
Wonder what other book bloggers think of this book? Find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
Pingback: Books Read In 2011 | Life…With Books
I feel like Shaun Tan fits right in with my love of Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman and all of that bizarre, gloomy stuff. It’s definitely a difference in the way we’re wired.
I think we are wired differently … and I do think Shaun Tan would be a great fit for you!
I am so glad you scanned in some of the artwork. It’s beautiful, but at the same time kind of creepy, you know? I don’t think my kids are old enough for it, but I’m interested.
I know my kid wasn’t ready for it either. There is a very dark and creepy feeling to it for sure.
Even if my kids don’t like the premise of the book, I find that the illustrations have me wanting to take a closer look. Thanks Jenners!
The artwork does you want to look closer. There is a lot going on in it.
Hmmmm…Don’t think he’s my cup of tea. Interesting illustrations though.
He wasn’t quite my cup of tea either.
I like that you included the illustatrations. I feel that with your descriptions and seeing some of the pictures that I’ve read the book, so now I don’t need to do it for real
Hmmm…I wonder what Shaun Tan will think about this then. Oops.
The illustrations are wonderful but I would probably miss the meaning too. I’m not nearly as good with pictures as I am with words.
I think that is my problem too … I’m a word person.
I’ve seen other reviews about this book but they didn’t include the pictures. The pictures really helped. I especially like how you said it was a depressed Dr. Suess!
I do think it is critical to see the pictures to really get a feel for the book.
Saw the animated short before the Academy Awards, it was just great. I was so happy when it won the Oscar! If you have a chance you should see it. I think it’s available for download on itunes. I’ll have to look for the book.
I didn’t even know this was an animated short! Thanks for the tip … I’ll have to check it out for sure!!!
A depressed person’s version of a Dr. Suess book, hmm, I’ll have to read this one for myself, thanks for such a witty review. I can understand why it would be difficult to classify but think you summed it up really well.
Thanks for the feedback. It was a bit of a struggle to sort out my thoughts on this one.
Though I still want to get a look at this book, I liked your honesty and the questions you raise about the intermingling between the artwork and the text. I am not sure if I will like it either, as it sounds a little dark, but I am curious enough to give it a go.
I think that Jill from Rhapsody in Books said it best: you’re either going to LOVE this or you’ll feel a bit meh about it (as I kind of did). I recognize why people might really love this but I didn’t love it myself. Worth checking out though!
Sounds like some rather unique offerings!
It is unique. I can’t say that I’ve see anything quite like his art.
“older children who have an artistic streak and a conscience”..what, don’t all children have a conscience??
I’ve seen some that lead me to think NO.
I recently read this book and really liked it. I agree I am not sure what the target is, but as an adult, I found the illustrations beautiful. I also plan to go through the book and look at the illustrations in more detail. In The Red Tree, there is a red leaf on every page. I bet there’s something similar in the other stories, too.
I’ll have to go back and look for that red leaf. I do think there are many hidden things in his art.
I “read” The Arrival, which was a wordless book that he did. After reading that one I agree that his books would be hard to classify. His art is very complex, and I can completely sympathize with not understand everything in the pictures. In The Arrival I just assumed it was because he was imitating the immigrant experience, but now I can see that it seems to be a facet of his art in general.
I felt like the art was filled with all sorts of “clues” and “messages” that I was missing.
I’m not really sure what to think of this, but I’ll admit I’m really drawn to the artwork! It might be worth getting just for that.
You should go to a book store and page through it to get the full experience. My photos didn’t really capture the full experience.
I love the pictures, but also think they’re vaguely creepy. I’m not sure I could look at them too often.
I think they have a somewhat sinister and depressive feel to many of them.
I really must get on top of this Shaun Tan bandwagon. He sounds flipping fantastic.
I could picture you really digging him.
My library doesn’t have this book yet, but I did just recently check out The Arrival and Tales From Outer Suburbia. His illustrations are visually rich and just a smorgasbord for the eyes. I don’t know that I get everything though. I showed these two books to my son, who is really creative, and he loved them (he is 11). He completely got it, sometimes before I did. I really hope our library get this one at some point.
It is just being released this month so I suspect your very good library will have it soon. I could see these being a good fit for a creative 11year old.
I really liked The Red Tree when I read it last year, especially because it ended both hopeful and foreboding at the same time. I have The Lost Thing here from the library to read during the Readathon this weekend. I’m a huge fan of Tan’s work, and like the muted artwork. It matches more the way I felt about the world growing up. My kids love him too.
I’m more of a brighter colors kind of person so I wasn’t as big of a fan as others.
I’m not familiar with this author/illustrator? but I may check it out .
I think he is more illustrator….
I really like Tan’s work, even though I’m not quite sure of the target audience either. My favorite in this book was The Rabbits.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who struggled to figure out where he fits!
I think Shaun Tan is the type to have fans who are either absolutely smitten, or meh-ish, without anyone in between. I guess I would be in the meh-ish category….
I was more meh than smitten too.
*sigh* Tan is amazing. I have yet to get this one, but will correct it soon. Also, I love your new blog look.
I’m curious about his book The Arrival.
I really must buy one of his books – the drawings look fascinating. He’s just won the Alma Prize here in Sweden!
The drawings are rather unique.