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1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA. 95060 • 831-423-0900 | 9AM-9PM Daily
Matthew Cordell’s newest picture book describes a wonderful adventure through a forest full of delightful creatures, both friendly and fearsome. Our protagonist Evergreen is a young squirrel who has to brave the woods to deliver soup to her grandma. Over the course of her journey she relies on her wits to become more courageous and help her family. The expressive art and subtle use of color is engrossing, drawing you right into Evergreen’s world.
— Isaac
“Beautiful, adorable pictures and characters tell the story of Evergreen, a little squirrel doing her best to help other woodland creatures, even if they seem a little scary at first. Readers will want to be Evergreen’s BFF and neighbor!”
— Nancy Baenen, Arcadia Books, Spring Green, WI
A picture book by Caldecott medal winner Matt Cordell about a timid squirrel who makes a brave journey to help a relative who is ill.
Evergreen the squirrel is afraid of many things: thunder, hawks, and the dark paths of Buckthorn Forest. But when her mother tasks Evergreen with delivering soup to her sick Granny Oak, the little squirrel must face her fears and make the journey.
Along the way, Evergreen is met by other forest dwellers – some want to help her, but some want her mother’s delicious soup! It’s up to Evergreen to stay the course, and those who help her will surprise and delight young readers.
Using an art style reminiscent of the work of William Steig and Arnold Lobel, Matthew Cordell creates a classic tale of bravery and love.
"Drawn, shaded, and occasionally crosshatched ... and tinted with watercolors in yellow, tan, brown, rose, and pale blue hues, the beautifully composed illustrations give this picture book a handcrafted look that suits the timeless story." —Booklist, starred review
"The interior pages start out looking like a chapter book, but the text is broken with exciting spreads, graphic novel–style layouts, and playfully illustrated text. These design decisions make this book feel new and familiar—a classic readers will be talking about in the future." —School Library Journal, starred review
"The contrast between Evergreen’s own self-doubt and the way she shines under pressure is conveyed with humor and skill in this adventuresome allegory about confronting the world outside as well as one’s own very real fears." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A spellbinding tale that will never brown or fade with time." —Kirkus, starred review
"The varied page layouts convey both the coziness of Evergreen’s world and the tension of life as part of the woodland food chain." —The Horn Book
"Cordell’s world building is immensely satisfying, and Evergreen is packed with entertaining textual and visual details." —BookPage