Gustav Is Missing!

A Tale of Friendship and Bravery

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$18.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Random House Studio
24 per carton
On sale Apr 11, 2023 | 9780593487471
Age 4-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD430L | Fountas & Pinnell N
Sales rights: World

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From the author of Sweety comes a heartwarming story of friendship and bravery, featuring a little mushroom who sets off into the scary world to find his missing pet slug.

Oh, no! When mushroom boy Little Cap's pet slug, Gustav, goes missing, Little Cap is beside himself. How can he summon the courage to leave his cozy home to find him? But summon he does. There are many suspicious characters just outside his door and--gasp!--he has to talk to his neighbors, but Little Cap can't be stopped.

After much perilous searching--up sheer cliffs and into deep canyons and even stepping in something really, really gross--Little Cap finally finds his very best friend, and he's changed for the better along the way. Here is a story that celebrates friendship, perseverance, and bravery, told with Andrea Zuill's signature heart and humor.
  • NOMINEE | 2024
    Tennessee Volunteer State Award
  • SELECTION | 2024
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
additional book photo
additional book photo
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“Elegant, digitally colored ink illustrations from Zuill (Donut) provide plenty of quirky details while remaining deeply sympathetic to the story’s offbeat protagonist, which makes his newfound, internally identified confidence endearing and inspiring.” —Publishers Weekly

A delightful, sharply observed tale about friendship and taking those first tentative steps toward independence.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Read this picture book to kids not ready to take on The Hobbit just yet.” —The Bulletin

“Zuill’s gentle adventure highlights how monumental stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is and how doing so can come with unforeseen rewards.” —Booklist

About

From the author of Sweety comes a heartwarming story of friendship and bravery, featuring a little mushroom who sets off into the scary world to find his missing pet slug.

Oh, no! When mushroom boy Little Cap's pet slug, Gustav, goes missing, Little Cap is beside himself. How can he summon the courage to leave his cozy home to find him? But summon he does. There are many suspicious characters just outside his door and--gasp!--he has to talk to his neighbors, but Little Cap can't be stopped.

After much perilous searching--up sheer cliffs and into deep canyons and even stepping in something really, really gross--Little Cap finally finds his very best friend, and he's changed for the better along the way. Here is a story that celebrates friendship, perseverance, and bravery, told with Andrea Zuill's signature heart and humor.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2024
    Tennessee Volunteer State Award
  • SELECTION | 2024
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Praise

“Elegant, digitally colored ink illustrations from Zuill (Donut) provide plenty of quirky details while remaining deeply sympathetic to the story’s offbeat protagonist, which makes his newfound, internally identified confidence endearing and inspiring.” —Publishers Weekly

A delightful, sharply observed tale about friendship and taking those first tentative steps toward independence.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Read this picture book to kids not ready to take on The Hobbit just yet.” —The Bulletin

“Zuill’s gentle adventure highlights how monumental stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is and how doing so can come with unforeseen rewards.” —Booklist