The cartoon-like illustrations in Julia’s House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke (First Second Books, September 2014) perfectly match the child-like imaginative story. It begins with fantastic personification:
Julie’s house came to town and settled by the sea.
And Julia is obviously not a normal girl, for when she decides to open her home to lost creatures, she finds herself welcoming not just “patched up Kitty” but a sad troll and all sorts of other monsters.
I love how Julia has no issue with accepting all these “different” creatures. None of them are quite ordinary, and she loves them regardless.
She also loves that she can help them. I also love her ultimate problem: she’s no longer lonely, but there is far too much work for her to do by herself! Her ultimate resolution is practical, and yet it fits in with the magical tone of the book for all those odd creatures have now not only found a place but they have also found what they can do: serve others.
Julia’s House for Lost Creatures is a delightful book because of it’s whimsy and fantasy.
Note: I received a digital review copy.
