Evergreen - by Matthew Cordell (Hardcover)

About the Book

To deliver her mother's delicious soup to her sick Granny Oak, Evergreen the squirrel must face her fears and make the journey, during which she meets other forest dwellers, including some who want to get their hands on her soup!

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2023
Winner, 2024 Robin Smith Picture Book Prize
A 2024 Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A 2023 Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far
A 2023 Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Award Winner
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2023
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2023
An ALA Notable Book for Children
A Common Sense Selection

"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

"Destined to be a classic. The most beloved new picture book in our 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Book Awards...is about a squirrel delivering soup to her sick grandma. The brave yet scared squirrel traverses Buckthorn Forest, showing readers that helping others is worth conquering their fears.
--Good Housekeeping

"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

"This endearing story reminds us that great things can be accomplished, even in the face of fear."--Common Sense Media

About the Author

Matthew Cordell received the Caldecott Medal for Wolf in the Snow. He is also the creator of the picture books Trouble Gum, Another Brother, The Expedition, and Bear Island, which School Library Journal praised as, "A poetically beautiful story of grief and healing," in a starred review. He lives in Gurnee, IL, with his family.