The House of Lost and Found

The House of Lost and Found tells the story of a gloomy older man named Niles and how taking care of a neighboring young boy’s potted plant changes his life. The relationship between the enthusiastic young boy and the grumpy older man lost in his memories reminded me a lot of the movie Up. I loved the addition of the cat that reappears after Niles starts taking care of the house.

The pictures are the best part of this book! I really liked how when everything is dark and gloomy in Nile’s world, then the pictures are too, but gradually get lighter as his mood lifts. The pictures are also very detailed, and I liked how his memories show up as ghosts or flower petals in each scene. The illustrator, Emilia Dziubak, is really good at showing light, whether it’s from a candle or the sun.

At 10 years old, I actually liked the book, but I think it may be a little too heavy for younger readers, who may be scared or not understand the ghosts in the book. Also, it may be hard for kids to relate to what it’s like to be old and living alone. It does end on a happy note when Nile’s is drawn out of his home after learning to care for something again. In the end, he cares not just for the flower but also for the boy, and I loved the picture of him taking the boy’s hand and the cat following them nextdoor to visit.