Matthew Petchinsky
A quick trip to the veterinary office turns into a lesson Lapis will never forget.When Lapis goes with her family to have Baby’s eye checked, she brings along one of her favorite possessions-her phone. Between worrying about Baby, exploring the busy veterinary clinic, and rushing in and out of the bathroom, Lapis makes one small mistake: she puts her phone down and forgets to pick it back up.By the time she realizes what happened, the phone is gone.Lapis searches the bathroom. She retraces her steps. Her family helps her look. They ask whether anyone turned it in. But despite all their searching, Lapis never gets her phone back.She is angry, disappointed, and certain someone took something that did not belong to them. Yet the experience teaches Lapis an important distinction: another person doing something wrong does not mean she cannot learn from her own mistake.Through colorful illustrations, relatable emotions, and a mystery inspired by an everyday mishap, Lapis and Her Stolen Phone introduces young readers to responsibility, honesty, awareness, and caring for their belongings.Most importantly, Lapis discovers a simple habit she can carry everywhere:Stop. Look. Check.