Lost and Found Cat

The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey

Illustrated by Sue Cornelison
Look inside
This heartwarming true story of one lost cat's journey to be reunited with his refugee family gently introduces children to a difficult topic and shows how ordinary people can help with compassion and hope.
 
When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away.
 
But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted.
 
A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home.
 
This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.

“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike.” —People.com
SUE CORNELISON graduated with a BFA from Drake University and continued her studies at the International School of Studio Arts in Florence, Italy. A full-time illustrator for well over a decade, she illustrated Justice Is . . . by Preet Bharara, My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr., and Julie Andrews: A Little Golden Book Biography. View titles by Sue Cornelison
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2018
    CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers
  • SELECTION | 2018
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2017
    Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books
“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike, this picture book tells the harrowing story of a cat who was separated from his family when they fled from Iraq and the amazing way he found his way home again.” —People.com

“A meaningful message of love and loss, of empathy and outreach, and ultimately, at its core, of compassion, grace and kindness.” —The Sag Harbor Express

About

This heartwarming true story of one lost cat's journey to be reunited with his refugee family gently introduces children to a difficult topic and shows how ordinary people can help with compassion and hope.
 
When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away.
 
But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted.
 
A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home.
 
This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.

“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike.” —People.com

Author

SUE CORNELISON graduated with a BFA from Drake University and continued her studies at the International School of Studio Arts in Florence, Italy. A full-time illustrator for well over a decade, she illustrated Justice Is . . . by Preet Bharara, My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr., and Julie Andrews: A Little Golden Book Biography. View titles by Sue Cornelison

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2018
    CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers
  • SELECTION | 2018
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2017
    Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books

Praise

“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike, this picture book tells the harrowing story of a cat who was separated from his family when they fled from Iraq and the amazing way he found his way home again.” —People.com

“A meaningful message of love and loss, of empathy and outreach, and ultimately, at its core, of compassion, grace and kindness.” —The Sag Harbor Express

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

On Monday, June 10th, Penguin Random House Education and DK Learning co-hosted a Reading with Purpose Summit Event in collaboration with Molly Ness, PhD. The event took place at Penguin Random House’s NYC headquarters and included sessions featuring leading education experts and a lunchtime author panel. The in-person professional learning event was built to show

Read more

2024 Elementary School Collection

The Penguin Random House Education Elementary School Collection features outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from Penguin Young Reader’s, Random House Children’s, DK, and Grupo Editorial, as well as children’s publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Explore online or download this valuable resource to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: Leveled Readers,

Read more

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

Thank you for your interest in DK Learning | Phonic Books. To download the DK Learning | Phonic Books sampler with four complete readers, please click here and complete the form. Once your information is successfully submitted, a link to download the sampler will be provided on the confirmation screen.   Click here to learn

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more