Fiewel and Friends, 2023
How can you take even a quick look at that face and not long to read more about EVERGREEN? I couldn't ignore the cover, nor its author/illustrator/Caldecott medalist creator MATTHEW CORDELL. As someone who is besotted by birds, especially those in the wild, I've met plenty of outdoorsy folk who resent squirrels as "tree rats" and "piggies" who disrupt feeding stations intended for critters with feathers. I've never had that reaction, instead enjoying the antics of squirrels and recognizing distinctive personalities among those who do, in fact, consume the seed I intended for birds. During the first year of writing this blog I featured the CHRISTMAS edition of Melanie Watt's SCAREDY SQUIRREL, a deeply nervous critter whose many topic-titles entertain with humor and elicit empathy from countless timid young readers. In that series, Scaredy's worries center on very childlike concerns and are portrayed with cartoon-style, colorful images on white backgrounds to enhance the connections with the real world of young children.
EVERGREEN, however, manages to incorporate human elements within subdued, nature-toned full spreads and spot illustrations that place kitchens and clothing and a little acorn-adapted soup container within seemingly realistic squirrel settings. Evergreen's adventures are depicted with pen drawings and watercolor, reminiscent of old-style folk tale illustrations. Keeping with that traditional approach, Evergreen's tale uses more extensive text than has been common in recent picture book publications, and the story unfolds in five parts, not unlike a classic dramatic arc for plays and novels. Each part sets up the next and presents challenges and obstacles for young Evergreen, resident of Buckthorn Forrest near Burr Valley. Most things make Evergreen afraid (heights, swimming, germs, thunderstorms - similar to Scaredy!). What comforts Evergreen is her mother's soup!
What troubles Evergreen is her mother asking for HELP. The first response of "I can't do it, Mama!" is met with Mama's confidence in her, and explaining a compelling need. My first and ongoing thought in this first part was that this would be a squirrel version of Little Red Riding Hood, and there actually is a bit of that throughout. Soon though, as readers meet Briar the Rabbit (not a wolf in sight in this story), then Ember the Hawk (Yikes!), then Sprig and Squirt (toads), we realize that nature does provide threats or challenges, but also invites kindness and willingness to help those in need. If you've been keeping count, part FIVE is up next, and it brings the conclusion of the story. Will Evergreen arrive at Granny Oak's with Mama's healing soup? Will it help? And will that short resolve in Part Six allow Evergreen to arrive home safely? If so, will she be more confident or still frightened by everything?
This is a pure treasure as a picture book, but also lays a template for next-stage reading of short chapter books with more complex problems and characters, challenging simplified predictions, inviting compare/contrast discussions, and constructing complex character-development charts and cause/effect chains. I picked up my library copy of this book more than a month ago and have read it and examined it a dozen times or more before writing this post. Evergreen is wonderfully modern in its adventurous and intricate situations and character portrayals. It is also richly retro in format, style, and evocative narrative and illustrations/design, giving me a "comfort food" reaction just as effectively as Mama's soup comforted Evergreen. I really enjoyed this on every level and believe readers of many ages will, too.
