Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: July 12, 2023 by Crystal Uys

lost-and-found-cat

Based on a remarkable true story, Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey, recounts the harrowing journey of an Iraqui refugee family who refused to leave their beloved cat Kunkush behind.

From the publisher:

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. In one moment, he is gone. 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 with the cat they love so much. 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.

Aimed at ages 4 through 8, this beautifully illustrated book will tug at your heart strings in a big way – I recommend that you have tissues ready. I certainly didn’t get through this book without crying, even though (or maybe because) I knew how the story ended. I don’t have children, but I would imagine that this book is also a great way to explain the refugee crisis to kids in a way that they can relate to.

kunkush-lost-and-found-cat
The real Kunkush with Suru (photograph by Doug Kuntz, used with permission)

Lost and Found Cat is available for pre-order from Amazon and will ship on January 31. With the publication of the book, publisher Random House has made a donation to Doctors Without  Borders.

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