Lost in the Museum
By Victoria Cleal, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Publication: March 2022
Extent: 32 pages
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-9951384-2-1
RRP: $29.99
Buy Lost in the Museum
A visit to New Zealand’s famous national museum, Te Papa, launches a boy and his whānau on a magical adventure to find Pāpā after he gets lost. He’s gone missing inside one of the museum’s taonga, but which one? Will they find Pāpā before the museum closes?
Searching with the help of a museum host, the family encounters moa, paddles a vaka, flees war-time Hong Kong and rides the famous Britten Bike.
The informative stories, backed by expert research, show how we can make a connection (te hononga) with special objects. This gorgeous picture book is perfect for both reading out loud to younger children and for independent readers.
Look inside Lost in the Museum
Read along with Suzy Cato
Watch Suzy Cato read the story to children at Te Papa. You can see the pages of the book as she reads.
Review highlights
NZ Listener, reviewed by Ann Packer. “From the creators of Whiti: Colossal squid of the deep comes a more general story about visiting our national museum – where it is indeed possible to get lost, especially if you have little ones in tow. Introducing the scope of the collections through six taonga is a good way to start.”
NZ Booklovers, reviewed by Chris Reed. “A feel-good, exciting adventure story that is sure to create special memories for all who read it!”
KidsBooksNZ, reviewed by Maria Gill. “As well as a lost and find story, kids can also learn about some of the treasures on display at Te Papa. Parents and teachers could use the book as a lead in or follow-up to a visit ... It will enrich the children’s experiences even more.”
Bob’s Books Blog, reviewed by Bob Docherty. “A great acquisition for any school library and for the home.”
Swings & Roundabouts, Autumn 2022 issue. “The vibrant and detailed illustrations add depth and a deeper engagement with the text … The text also weaves in te reo Māori naturally into the characters’ dialogue.”
Author interviews
Victoria Cleal talks about Lost in the Museum at NZ Booklovers.
Lynn Freeman interviewed Victoria and Isobel for RNZ Standing Room Only.
About the author
Victoria Cleal works as a writer and editor at Te Papa. She worked on the Nature | Te Taiao exhibition and several stories for the children’s TV series He Paki Taonga and its associated book. Her first book, also based on a treasure at Te Papa, and illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White, was Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep, winner of the Best Children’s Book at the 2021 Whitley Awards for zoological literature.
About the illustrator
Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungungu ki te Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Irakehu) is a graphic artist with a diploma in Visual Arts (UCOL) and a Bachelor of Design (Hons) majoring in illustration from Massey University. She has illustrated for Huia Publishers and the School Journal (Lift Education), as well as several of the stories for the children’s TV series He Paki Taonga and its associated book.
Publication: March 2022
Extent: 32 pages
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-9951384-2-1
RRP: $29.99
Buy Lost in the Museum
