Lost. Found.

A bear in a red scarf trudges through a snowy forest when a cold wind carries the scarf away (“Lost”). The scarf is quickly discovered by two raccoons (“Found”). Except for a few well-placed sound effects, these two alternating words make up the whole of Arnold’s (Roar of a Snore) text, while Cordell (First Grade Dropout) draws a forest full of comedy with scribbly lines that wobble, twist, and leap. The raccoons play tug-of-war with the scarf until one lets go; “chit! chit!” the other scolds. A snowball is thrown, a chase begins, and the scarf becomes everything from a turban to a mouse trampoline. When all of the animals rediscover the scarf at the same time, they pounce, and it’s mayhem and destruction, with mountains of red yarn everywhere. The way the animals make things right with the scarf’s original owner adds sweetness to the mix, but it’s the giggly impulsiveness of the forest’s wildlife that provides the entertainment—the effect is half nature documentary, half Marx Brothers. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Nov.)