The Lost Christmas

Cronin returns to the candy-colored world of The Lost House and The Lost Picnic for a holiday seek-and-find just difficult enough for poring over. On a snowy Christmas Eve, “the children” visit their mustachioed grandfather in his spectacularly cluttered home, planning to help him decorate. Grandad has lost the ornaments, and readers can join the children in the search. Cronin details the ornaments to be found: “the rabbit on a sled, the red lantern, the accordion player, the circus performer, and the man with the green mustache.” In the artist’s distinctive acrylics, the children and grandfather have a curious cuteness reminiscent of vintage Little Golden Book characters. The daring shades of neon pink, green, and yellow practically vibrate on the pages. Ages 3–7. [em](Oct.) [/em]