Don't waste your time and money, give either to a dog shelter. And pet a friendly dog!

Look for his next book: Missing Children on Milk Cartons with Funny Names and Unfortunate Faces.


One of my favorite books of the year   February 22, 2003
 6 out of 9 found this review helpful

Lost is one of my favorite books of the year and one of my favorite illustrated book of all time. The combination of brilliant illustrations, fantastic design and real heart make this a true gem. I read it from cover to cover and wept all the way through. There is just so much poignancy here--so much said in so few words about the bond between people and their animals. You couldn't find a better gift for an animal-lover.


interesting idea, mediocre quality (?)   December 31, 2002
 11 out of 16 found this review helpful

I liked the idea of this book very much. However, the quality of the posters was a let-down. I don't know what the original quality was, but it looks just like a photo-copied group of posters thrown together. If all the originals were in black and white, then the quality is okay. If, however, some of the original posters were in colour, they should have been so reproduced for this book.


interesting premise   December 13, 2002
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

In a brief introduction, Toronto-based illustrator and designer Ian Phillips tells us he began collecting lost pet posters when he lived in Switzerland and his roommate's cat ran away. Posters are separated into Dogs, Cats, Birds and Others; the latter category includes rabbits, cows, hamsters, rats, snakes and ferrets. Posters range from those drawn by children to those displaying sophisticated wit and/or design, and represent fugitives in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe, Japan and Africa. Each entry is on one page that shows the poster with the location identified beneath it. Facing pages make a flip drawing of pets walking across the page, and the book concludes with the author's Missing Pet Poster Tips and some factoids.

The book is more interesting in premise than selection, I thought. Some were poignant but many were not. Still, I'm glad I got this -- the picture of dour cat "Pudding" is almost worth getting the book by itself! -- and it would make a fun gift for pet lovers you know.