The Lost Thing

A kid finds a lost 'thing' on the beach while scavenging for his bottle-top collection. The thing is a large, freakish creature, yet no one else notices it as it doesn't fit into their day-to-day reality. The kid decides to take on the responsibility of finding where the lost thing belongs. The Lost Thing is a gently humorous tale filled with the typical thoughts of an observant and caring young person, complemented by surreal and thought-provoking illustrations. This story marks the first book that Shaun Tan both wrote and illustrated, showcasing his unique artistic style and narrative that has won him numerous awards, including the Crichton Award for Book Illustration and the Australian National Science Fiction Best Artist Award.