This is the story of Sally’s grandfather who is in bed and saying over and over again, ‘I’ve lost it.’

His family just says ‘he’d gone to live on the Planet Janet’ which is their way of saying he has dementia. But his granddaughter, Sally, understands. She asks the old man what he’s lost but somehow he cannot pull the name of it out of his head or even remember what it looked like or where it might be. Sally brings many things to him which could have been lost but never the right one.

Then with Christmas coming, Sally buys a big tin of chocolates and she and her Grandad sit on his bed eating all their favourites. Then suddenly Grandad remembers what he’s lost! But no, it’s not just the chocolates they’re enjoying but something far more important and wonderful than that. And Sally understands.

Colin Thompson has written this story so subtly and emotionally. I’ve turned the pages many times to look at the incredibly sensitive, detailed and sometimes fun illustrations. Five stars is not enough for this book. It is a work of art.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 7+