Gustav is Missing!: A Tale of Friendship and Bravery by Andrea Zuill

Abstract

Reviewed by: Gustav is Missing!: A Tale of Friendship and Bravery by Andrea Zuill Natalie Berglind Zuill, Andrea Gustav is Missing!: A Tale of Friendship and Bravery; written and illus. by Andrea Zuill. Random House Studio, 2023 [40p] Library ed. ISBN 9780593487488 $21.99 Trade ed. ISBN 9780593487471 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593487495 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs Little Cap, a bespectacled, red-capped mushroom, is very comfortable within the confines of his home with his best friend, a slug named Gustav. The outside world is scary to Little Cap, which makes Gustav escaping from his gate even more terrifying as Little Cap has to set out on an adventure to find him. Little Cap braves asking neighbors if they’ve spotted his slug, but Little Cap’s worries get the worst of him as he pictures tragedies that could have befallen Gustav—until he finds Gustav chilling in the middle of a slug community. The two head back on a similar adventure and are relieved to return “to their safe, cozy lives,” but they now have stories to tell and a thirst for adventure. Charming, old-fashioned looking ink and digital illustrations bring Little Cap’s blade-of-grass-tall world to life, full of the different bugs, amphibians, and rodents; most creatures wear clothes, from Little Cap’s adorable mini-overalls to the cricket’s suburban dad outfit. Little Cap’s Bilbo Baggins personality will appeal to shy viewers, and with his overstimulation and anxiety, he could easily be read as a neurodivergent character. Additionally, anyone whose pet (Gustav is always referred to as a “best friend,” treating their friendship seriously) has ever run away will understand Gustav’s fear. Read this picture book to kids not ready to take on The Hobbit just yet. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois