The Lost Book

Adventurous Henry’s the only bunny in Rabbit Town who doesn’t like books, but his explorations lead him to one anyway: a lost book with a yellow cover lying near a mysterious hedge. On the other side of the hedge, Henry wanders the streets of a human city in search of the book’s owner, but all the grown-ups are absorbed in handheld devices of one sort or another, and Henry goes unnoticed. With emotional force, Surnaite captures the moment Henry and a small girl exchange glances on the train; they’re the only ones not glued to gadgets. They spend the day together (her father on his phone throughout), Henry gives her the book, and they both arrive home with a story to tell. Debut author Surnaite draws Rabbit Town and its bookish bunnies with retro warmth and studs her silk screen–style spreads with a misty pale lavender that offers a subtle air of make-believe. Her story’s double themes—the way technology blinds people, and the journey of a nonreader toward book loving—crisscross in sometimes confusing ways, but she is a talent to watch. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 4–8. [em](Feb.) [/em]