I was always a cautious kid who stayed put and always kept a grownup in my sight. But one time, I wandered off in a department store under my grandfather’s watch. It was a scary five minutes where I weaved through clothes racks, trying not to panic, before I followed the sound of his voice calling my name.
Getting lost is scary, but it can also be an adventure. This is evident in Julia Kneeland’s picture book, Jig Gets Lost, a picture book about a little corgi who gets lost in the city.
Below is my review of Jig Gets Lost along with my interview with Kneeland.
Jig Gets Lost plot summary
Jig is a curious corgi who gets lost one day when the smells of the food trucks and food stands in the city lures him away from his family. While looking for home, Jig explores more of the city until his tired little legs can’t go on anymore. Will Jig ever get home to his family?
The story
Jig Gets Lost is a story about how getting lost can be both scary and exciting. Jig is anxious to find his family and gets confused in this new terrain. But he also gets to see parts of the city that he’s never seen before.
The city serves as a character in the story, highlighting the sights and smells of the stores, sidewalks, and streets. Everything is unfamiliar, and he gravitates towards a park where other people and animals make him feel less alone until he can meet up with his family.
I could see this story being comforting to young readers who have lost a pet, either temporarily or permanently. It’s a best case scenario situation in which no harm comes to our main character. It’s comforting to think of our own pets being safe and sound and going on a mini adventure whenever they escape their familiar surroundings.
Animal characters
Jig isn’t a talking dog, and we don’t hear his thoughts or feeling. The narrator describes his actions only. He seems to just go with the flow as the story progresses.
Jig’s short build makes him vulnerable, and he tires easily. However, he also comes across as friendly and unassuming. He weaves through the city nearly undetected which seems to keep him away from any danger.
Jig’s family plays a minimal role in the story. The little dog sneaks out of the house through an open door after he gets an urge to take a walk. He doesn’t wait for anyone to take him, and we don’t know how long he’s gone or how long it takes his family to realize that he’s gone. However, the fact that they’ve been looking for him shows him that he’s loved and that he’s an important part of the family.
The illustrations
The illustrations by Rachael Budd have a cute, cartoonish quality. The illustrations help tell crucial parts of the story, filling in the blanks and adding to the emotional beats of the story.
The illustrations also capture the cityscape from a ground-level perspective of a tourist like Jig. Jig wears a worried expression through most of his journey which shows him to be more self-aware than the narration lets on. And familiar or desirable surroundings put a smile on his face which keeps the reader at ease. As long as Jig isn’t worried, we shouldn’t be either.
My recommendation
Jig Gets lost is a short but sweet story that serves as a love letter to city life, presents a curious main character, and gives you a cute little curious dog that you can root for. I would have liked a little clearer storytelling that better matched the illustrations with smoother transitions between the pages. There were also some punctuation errors along with a few awkward sentences that could have been made clearer. But the story is cute and gentle with a fun setting and a feel-good ending.
My rating
An interview with Julia Kneeland
What was the first picture book that you remember loving? What picture books inspired Jig Gets Lost?
The first picture book I remember loving was The Cat in the Hat! I loved the adventure of the story.
I was inspired by my illustrator’s picture of a Corgi set in a city. I saw this on social media and loved him.
What is the most fun part about writing a picture book? The most difficult?
The most fun part of writing a picture book was imagining what images would go with my words. I think the most difficult part of writing Jig Get Lost was being patient as my illustrator worked on the artwork to help tell the story.
What motivated you to become a writer? When was the first time you remember being praised for your writing?
I have always loved to write. When I was growing up, I used to write plays that my friends and I would act out. In high school I remember writing plays for my English class, and my teacher really liked them and encouraged me to keep writing.
Is Jig based on a real dog? Is there any real-life inspiration behind the story?
Jig was not based on a real dog. I did get inspired by my illustrator’s picture of a Corgi set in a city. I wanted to write a book that would encourage emerging readers to love to read. I did write this book with my grandchildren in mind. They were just learning to read when I wrote Jig Gets Lost.
What made you set the story in the city? Is it based on any actual, specific city?
My husband and I lived just outside of New York City when we were first married. We had a great time visiting the city, and when family and friends came to visit, we often took them to different sites and had fun exploring.
What messages do you want to convey to young readers about wandering off or what to do if you find yourself lost?
It’s a terrible feeling to get lost or separated from your family. I remember one time when I was quite young being at an event with my parents and getting lost for just a short time. I was definitely afraid and scared. But my mother realized soon after we had gotten separated and came back and found me. I was so relieved!
I would say to young readers who might get lost don’t panic. Find an adult who will listen to you and help you get back to your family.
How closely did you work with the illustrator, Rachael Budd, on shaping the illustrations for this story?
Rachael Budd is a wonderful illustrator and artist. I was able to send her a copy of my story and later sent her the story in a storyboard format. That way she was able to see where I would like to put in illustrations.
What kind of feedback or reactions did your grandchildren provide to you after reading the story that you dedicated to them?
My grandchildren loved Jig Gets Lost, and it inspired them to write their own stories about Jig. My grandson wrote a story about a homeless dog living in the city who is befriended by another dog. They also wrote a sequel to Jig Gets Lost about Jig going to the circus. I loved it!
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