  | Evergreen Author: Cordell, Matthew | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
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.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.20 Points: .5 Quiz: 520186 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (11/15/22)
School Library Journal (+) (01/01/23)
Booklist (+) (12/01/23)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/01/23)
The Hornbook (00/01/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 01/01/2023 K-Gr 2—There is something familiar about Cordell's book, and not just the style of art—sketchy line work, with warm earth tones washed over them—but the modern play with story and design broken up into digestible, short chapters, each reading like an Aesop-vignette where Evergreen, the squirrel we follow through Buckthorn Forrest, faces a scary obstacle she must overcome. With each chapter, Evergreen grows more confident, so that by the end, she is better able to predict and prepare for all possibilities. 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. VERDICT Cordell never disappoints and never fails to surprise readers with his evergreen ability to take a story and make it feel fresh and timeless in one go.—Jessica Schriver - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 01/01/2023 *Starred Review* Evergreen is a fearful little squirrel. But when her mother, who makes delicious, healing soup, asks her to take some to Granny Oak, she can’t refuse. Walking through Buckthorn Forest, she helps a rabbit who is trapped between two rocks. Afterwards, a red-tailed hawk snatches Evergreen, carries her aloft, and asks her to pull out the thorns that are hurting him. Though suspicious, she complies and earns his gratitude. Next, she rescues a little toad who has hopped to a stepping stone midway across a stream but is too frightened to hop back. Finally, she sees an enormous bear crash to the ground. Granny Oak! After reviving her with Mama’s magical soup, Evergreen returns home with new confidence, ready for another adventure. The writing is concise and direct, and the episodic narrative is divided into six parts: one to introduce the characters and set up the drama, one for each of the four major challenges that Evergreen meets during her journey, and one to conclude her adventures. Drawn, shaded, and occasionally crosshatched with black Micron pen 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. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
