The Returnus - by Joaquin Camp (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When four ancient statues escape the museum, they set out to find the home they remember from centuries ago. But the world has changed: familiar places are gone and nothing feels quite right.

Armed with dubious disguises, fading memories, and a stubborn longing for home, the statues embark on a wildly funny quest to find where they truly fit. Along the way - and as the title eludes to - The Returnus is peppered with playful, Latin-inspired word inventions that add wit and rhythm to the story.

Part adventure, part satire, and entirely heart-warming, The Returnus gently explores deeper themes of displacement, identity, and artifact ownership. In a rapidly changing world, it invites reflection: when everything moves on and you feel left behind, how do you find your community? What does "home" really mean? The Returnus is ultimately a story about belonging; and discovering that home may be something you create, not just somewhere you return to.

About the Author

Joaquín Camp is an award-winning author and illustrator who studied Illustration and Graphic Design at the University of Buenos Aires. His bold and expressive artwork has been exhibited internationally, including in Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Peru, and Japan. In 2025, Joaquín was awarded a Mildred L. Batchelder Honor by the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards. He has also been featured in the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show in New York and the Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrator Exhibition. His book The Robbery (Berbay) was selected for the BRAW Amazing Bookshelf in 2025, recognising it as an exceptional title. Joaquín currently lives and works in Madrid with his young family.