A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

Illustrator Chris Haughton has created a book that reads as beautifully as it looks.  The vibrant, soothing colors are a welcome departure from your average primary reader, and the text is magically sparse.  E's been pulling this one off the shelf since he was about 18 months old and I'm always relieved when it makes into the nightly reading rotation.

Little Owl has lost his mom and squirrel tries to help him find her.  His descriptions of what she looks like (big, pointy ears, big eyes), result in squirrel presenting him with a succession of forest animals (bear, rabbit, frog), but not his Mom.  Frog manages to save the day in his offhand manner (I tend to read his big line in an exaggerated southern drawl) and there's a tearful reunion between little owl and his mom.

Sweet and simple but with plenty to talk about around the story and illustrations - this is a great one to keep and to give as a gift. I can't wait for the release of Haughton's upcoming book about a dog (Oh No, George!), due out in the UK in March 2012. Learn more about the author at his website: vegetablefriedrice.com.