Shaun Tan is a leading Science Fiction illustrator in Australia. In his first picture book "The lost thing", his illustrations are surreal, his text spare. The book is a cryptic affair. There are messages along the way imbedded in, under and behind the images. The illustrations are a cross between Salvador Dali, Hieronymus Bosch and Gary Larsen laid on what appears to be an industrial engineering text book. There are messages both silly and serious, such as the recall of the 350A Deluxe "Suck & Slice" automated beet cutters and the definition of a vacuum. This subliminal text is as much a part of the story as the images and the main text. The story itself is simple. A boy discovers a lost thing and takes it home. His parents are disgusted by its behaviour and appearance so he sets out to help it find its place. It is the poignant story of all those trying to find a place.

This book works well with most ages. From about 7 years of age serious discussions about finding your place in society, mathematical formulae, physics and engineering and bottle top collecting. Art and the social conscience can be discussed through the study of Bosch, the surrealists and, more recently, the cartoonists Schultz and Larsen. This book can be used to introduce concepts for creative writing or visual arts.

Reviewer: Lesley Boon

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