Published by Simon & Schuster, 2020.

Perdu is lost and lonely. It’s cold and dark and he has nowhere to call home. Perdu is an exceptionally cute, little brown dog.

He decides to leave the countryside and head for the big city, hoping to find somewhere to belong. However, when he arrives there’s nowhere for him amid the hustle and bustle. Adults either ignore him – unaware of his presence – or shout at him, telling him to get out and go away.

There is someone who notices him though – a little girl in a red bobble hat. Will she be the one to give him a home?

Perdu is such an uplifting, hopeful book. I loved the little girl’s kindness and the immediate connection between her and Perdu.

The richly coloured illustrations are gorgeous! Richard conveys so many different emotions throughout the book in Perdu’s face and body shape: from dejected to fearful, through terrified to hopeful. I really liked how the little girl and Perdu were linked together visually by her red bobble hat and his red scarf. There’s also a lovely nod to The Snow Lion, a bestselling book by Jim Helmore which Richard illustrated. Fans will be delighted to see the lion again.

The language is wonderfully rich too, especially in the initial scene setting scenes. There’s a poetry to Richard’s words. I loved savouring them as I read the book aloud to my son.

Perdu is a beautiful, heartwarming picture book. Perdu has definitely found a home with us. 

Rating: 💙💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 3+

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me this book to review.