TY - BOOK
T1 - Lost for Words
AU - Russell, Natalie
N1 - Since the book’s release in January 2014, foreign rights have been sold to Peachtree Publishers, USA, Kids M Project Research Institute, Korea and Plan Kids Co. Ltd, Thailand. Selected prints from ‘Lost for Words’ were showcased in the Picture Hooks Exhibition in the Scottish National Galleries, Edinburgh (Nov 13 - Feb 14) that attracted over 95,000 visitors.
Lost for Words became runner up in the 2015 Scottish Children’s Book Award (SCBA - Bookbug readers (3-7) category). As part of the award process Lost for Words was included in the Bookbug Primary 1 Family pack (along with the two other shortlisted titles) which was given to 60,000 Primary 1 school children across Scotland, 1,000 of which were translated into Gaelic. A total of 28, 643 votes were received in SCBA Awards, 22,000 for the 3-7 category alone. On 4th March 2015, 160 school children from 10 different local authorities attended the Awards Ceremony in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. A film of a reading of Lost for Words will remain on the Scottish Book Trust website as a downloadable learning resource.
Co-editions:
Lost for Words
Peachtree Publishers. Atlanta, Georgia. USA
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-56145-739-7
1 March 2014
Lost for Words
Plan for kids. Co Ltd. Bongkok, Thailand.
Paperback ISBN: *** **********
Lost for Words
Kids M Project Research Institute, Korea
Paperback ISBN: *** **********
Lost for Words
(Gaelic Edition)
Acair Ltd, Stornoway, Isles of Lewis HS1 2SD
Paperback ISBN 978 0861525034
2014
Word count: 500 words (approx.)
Number of pages: 32pages
Editorial & Online reviews:
“Russell’s (Brown Rabbit in the City) story stars a tapir whose tubby form, demure snout, and pinprick eyes offer a winsome addition to the traditional picture book menagerie. While most of the writing is in sweet earnest, the moments in which Russell allows herself gentle hints of irony. ‘It’s beautiful,’ whispered Flamingo, wiping a tear from her eye” are the story’s best. Ages 4-8. “
Publishers Weekly, USA. 9 December 2013 (On-line) Available at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56145-739-7
(Accessed 3 April 2014)
“Russell’s soft colorful screen-print-style illustrations fill the pages with sunny skies, vast landscapes, and friendly, contemplative animal friends. Young readers will likely sympathize with the roly-poly Tapir as he worries about whether he is as good as his friends, and they will cheer when he finally discovers his own skills to be proud of.”
Booklist. USA. 1 February 2014 (On-line) Available at: *******************************(Accessed 3 April 2014)
“For anyone who has ever had writer’s block, this is the picture book for you . . . The story of these four friends and the different ways they filled their notebooks is itself creative. After reading Lost for Words several times - or maybe just once - young children will be asking for a notebook of their own. Some will find words and write a poem or a story, or maybe a song. Others will draw pictures to express themselves. If Lost for Words encourages creativity, it has been a success.” Sue Morris. Kid Lit Reviews. USA. 13 March 2014 (On-line) Available at: http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2014/03/13/512-lost-for-words-by-natalie-russell/ (Accessed 3 April 2014)
“Using shapes, stylized symbols, and carefully considered pops of bright color, [Russell] eases between close-ups and panoramic views to suggest the mixed emotions Tapir feels. The seemingly simple, rhythmic text blossoms into a tender story of longing and accomplishment.”
School Library Review (pre-school to Grade 4). USA. 1 March 2014. (Online) Available at: http://www.bookverdict.com/details.xqy?uri=Product2014-03-01-4488974.xml (Accessed 3 April 2014)
“Russell illustrates the book with screen prints, which I always like to see in picture books. That is, I like to see it well-done, and Russell delivers. Her palette is filled with soft pastel colors, and her characters are composed with a lot of comforting, curving lines for younger readers. Evidently, this one is an import, first published in the U.K. last year, and Russell herself lives and works in Scotland. A warmhearted, thoughtful story to share with young readers.”
Julie Danielson. Kirkus. USA. 7 February 2014 (On-line) Available at: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/another-way-tell-story/ (Accessed 3 April 2014)
Julie Danielson. Seven Impossible Things to do before Breakfast. USA. Illustrated Feature. 14 February 2014. (On-line) Available at: http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=3322 (Accessed 3 April 2014)
PY - 2014/1/2
Y1 - 2014/1/2
N2 - The opening lines of ‘Lost for Words’, “Tapir had some pencils and a nice new notebook. But he didn’t know what to write”, leads the reader into a quiet, reassuring narrative exploring individuality, discovery and creative expression. During the search for a word, Tapir becomes frustrated when he watches his friends write with ease, a poem, a story and a beautiful song. However, as the narrative unfolds, Tapir discovers his own way to express himself. This narrative encouraged an exploration into varying styles and genres of creative writing and composition i.e. poetry and song writing. Experiments were made with rhyme, rhythm and simple musical scores to ‘tune’ the individual voices of the characters. Although the imagery remained similar to the other books in the series, an alternative aesthetic was developed to illustrate the naive drawn forms of the protagonist.Since the book’s release in January 2014, it has been published in Korea by Kids M Project Research Institute, Thailand by Plan Kids Co. Ltd, and by Peachtree Publishers in USA who has gifted a large number of books to ‘Ferst Readers’ – a non-profit child literacy program in Carroll County (USA). Selected prints from ‘Lost for Words’ were showcased in the Picture Hooks Exhibition in the Scottish National Galleries, Edinburgh (Nov 13 - Feb 14) that attracted over 95,000 visitors.Lost for Words became runner up in the 2015 Scottish Children’s Book Award (SCBA - Bookbug readers (3-7) category). As part of the award process Lost for Words was included in the Bookbug Primary 1 Family pack (along with the two other shortlisted titles) which was given to 60,000 Primary 1 school children across Scotland, 1,000 of which were translated into Gaelic. On Boxing Day 2017, Lost for Words was featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories and was read by well-known actor Emily Watson. “Emily says: “It was such a joy to be part of the CBeebies Bedtime Stories to bring these three wonderful, imaginative books to life. I hope you enjoy the tales as much as I enjoyed reading them. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and of course, a good night...” BBC Media Centre. (Online) Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/redmayne-watson-cbeebies. (Accessed 6th March 2018)
AB - The opening lines of ‘Lost for Words’, “Tapir had some pencils and a nice new notebook. But he didn’t know what to write”, leads the reader into a quiet, reassuring narrative exploring individuality, discovery and creative expression. During the search for a word, Tapir becomes frustrated when he watches his friends write with ease, a poem, a story and a beautiful song. However, as the narrative unfolds, Tapir discovers his own way to express himself. This narrative encouraged an exploration into varying styles and genres of creative writing and composition i.e. poetry and song writing. Experiments were made with rhyme, rhythm and simple musical scores to ‘tune’ the individual voices of the characters. Although the imagery remained similar to the other books in the series, an alternative aesthetic was developed to illustrate the naive drawn forms of the protagonist.Since the book’s release in January 2014, it has been published in Korea by Kids M Project Research Institute, Thailand by Plan Kids Co. Ltd, and by Peachtree Publishers in USA who has gifted a large number of books to ‘Ferst Readers’ – a non-profit child literacy program in Carroll County (USA). Selected prints from ‘Lost for Words’ were showcased in the Picture Hooks Exhibition in the Scottish National Galleries, Edinburgh (Nov 13 - Feb 14) that attracted over 95,000 visitors.Lost for Words became runner up in the 2015 Scottish Children’s Book Award (SCBA - Bookbug readers (3-7) category). As part of the award process Lost for Words was included in the Bookbug Primary 1 Family pack (along with the two other shortlisted titles) which was given to 60,000 Primary 1 school children across Scotland, 1,000 of which were translated into Gaelic. On Boxing Day 2017, Lost for Words was featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories and was read by well-known actor Emily Watson. “Emily says: “It was such a joy to be part of the CBeebies Bedtime Stories to bring these three wonderful, imaginative books to life. I hope you enjoy the tales as much as I enjoyed reading them. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and of course, a good night...” BBC Media Centre. (Online) Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/redmayne-watson-cbeebies. (Accessed 6th March 2018)
M3 - Book
SN - 978-0-230-71219-5
SN - 9781447242352
BT - Lost for Words
PB - Macmillan Children's Books
ER -