Lost in the Library and The Missing Library by Josh Funk and illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Available on Amazon, Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, and more!
Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude is the first picture book about Patience and Fortitude, the two lion statues that faithfully guard the New York Public Library.
When Patience goes missing, Fortitude realizes the secret to Patience's disappearance may be within the Library itself..
Where Is Our Library? is a companion to Lost in the Library and our second picture book in partnership with the New York Public Library.
Curious Patience and steadfast Fortitude wait every morning to greet visitors of the New York Public Library―and slip away every night to read in the Children's Center.
But one day, Patience and Fortitude find the Children's Center empty! The two lions set out into the city to locate their missing books and encounter some literary landmarks along the way.
From Macmillan's website
Steadfast Fortitude and curious Patience are waiting every morning to greet visitors of the Library.
That is until, one early morning, when Fortitude finds Patience is missing. The city is about to awake, and the lions absolutely must be in their places before the sun rises. Now, Fortitude must abandon his own post to find his best friend in the Library’s labyrinthine halls.
With Josh Funk's clever rhymes and Stevie Lewis' vibrant art, Lost in the Library introduces young readers to a pair of unforgettable lions, as well as the famed New York Public Library, and includes bonus material loaded with facts about Patience, Fortitude, and the NYPL's history.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Patience and Fortitude, the iconic lion statues that reside in front of the New York Public Library, star in this rhyming hide-and-seek adventure. When Fortitude awakens around dawn one morning and discovers that his story-loving counterpart isn’t on his plinth, he ventures for the first time into “the Library’s grand labyrinth.” His search takes him to many of the NYPL’s most celebrated features—Astor Hall, the Rose Main Reading Room, and the children’s center—with help from an assortment of library denizens. (A page at the end of the book offers further information about many of these sights.) The hunt becomes urgent as sunrise approaches, but the two lions eventually make it back to their usual posts, leaving Fortitude to reflect on the library’s surprises. With a natural, if almost too consistent read-aloud rhythm and accurate, earth-toned illustrations by Lewis (Prince & Knight), this work by Funk (Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast) is an ode to books, friendship, and a New York institution.
New York Post
Over the decades, the lions have donned Christmas wreaths, Mets and Yankees hats and graduation caps. Now they’ll be able to boast a children’s book to their roster of accomplishments: “Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude” by Josh Funk (published by the New York Public Library.)
Beautifully illustrated by Stevie Lewis, the book tells the tale of one New York dawn, when Fortitude wakes from his stone pedestal to find that Patience is missing. He heads into the Library (where else?) to see if he can track down his friend, and in looking for him takes a tour of some of the building’s delights.
Goodreads Reviews
Beth - Readers who loved the after-hours view of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will find their heart in Josh Funk's latest picture book as Patience and Fortitude, the lions who keep watch over the New York Public Library, go on an after-hours adventure of the building they protect.
Patricia - Love this PB book with its clever rhyme and beautifully illustrated pages. Josh Funk reminds us how important our need is to share stories with those we love. Lost in the Library is a perfect book to give as a gift—it will be treasured.
Stevie Lewis’ illustrations brought me back to my days spent in the NYC library as a researcher. The majestic 5th Avenue address with Patience and Fortitude out front and the substantial flight of steps leading up to the triple arched entryway welcomed me and other book enthusiasts. Stevie Lewis reveals with her authentic illustrations that the interior of this great building is just as magnificent as its exterior—the stonework, the vaulting; the special historical aspects are the aesthetic heart of the NYC library.
A Must Have Book in your classroom library!
Below are photos taken at the book launch event on September 9, 2018 at the NY Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman building. The event featured author, Josh Funk, and illustrator, Stevie Lewis, introducing their book to groups of families.
