posted on 06 Mar 2025

The Found Things by Petr Horáček

I am always pleased to see another picture book from this imaginative and talented author/ illustrator. His distinctively bold colour palette with jolly looking animal characters is eye-catching for even the youngest of children.

When I shared this one recently with a large group of four year olds, they were keen to speculate about the smiling rabbit on the front cover. Where could she be going wearing a pink tutu and a wooly green scarf? Did the spotted single sock belong to her and where was the other one? Did rabbits even need to wear socks?

As the story unfolded we were treated to pages of sumptuous colour, first showing a summer meadow with plenty of beautiful flowers. The device of using holes to give a preview of the next page always works well to entice the young reader and to help them to predict what might come next. The first hole revealed rabbit’s cosy bedroom as she begins his search for his lost sock. As the story builds and she gathers up an array of clothing items ( but no missing sock)it almost becomes a game of hide and seek which was very enjoyable. We were encouraged to join in with the repetitive language structure:

‘My hat keeps me nice and warm’ said Rabbit.

‘Maybe my sock is in the cupboard.’

We laughed about her rather eccentric and flamboyant selection of clothes which several children remarked on being like dressing-up clothes. Pre-school children have the advantage of being able to dress to express their personalities before the conformity of school uniforms takes over a large part of their lives. We had a bit of a chat about this and most already seemed convinced that these were sensible to wear rather than their own clothes!

My favourite double page spread was the one showing her tiptoeing across the bathroom floor in order to reveal the bath behind the shower curtain. I loved the unusual orange coloured bath and the glorious view from the window showing a bird singing in a tree - no sock in sight of course. We enjoyed the part where she startles her friends Squirrel and Mouse and how they help to resolve her problem. We agreed that the joy of finding something previously lost was very special.

I strongly recommend this delightful picture book that is jam packed with splendid illustrations - one child commented: ‘ It reminds me of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ - an accolade that I am sure will be much appreciated by Petr.

Published by Walker Books, it should be available from your local independent bookshop who will be happy to order it if not already on their shelves.

 

Karen Argent

March 2025