Evergreen
What’s inside...
A picture book by Caldecott medal winner Matt Cordell about a timid squirrel named Evergreen who makes a brave journey to help her sick Granny Oak. Despite her fears of thunder, hawks, and the dark paths of Buckthorn Forest, Evergreen must deliver soup to her ailing relative. Along the way, she encounters various forest dwellers, some of whom want to help her, while others are after the delicious soup. With the aid of surprising allies, Evergreen learns to face her fears in this classic tale of bravery and love, illustrated in a style reminiscent of William Steig and Arnold Lobel.
Age
2-5
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Anna Freedman
Paul Werner
Joseph Freedman
Discussion points
What did you think about the journey the characters went on? How would you feel in their situation?
The forest in the story is called 'Evergreen'. What do you think this name represents in the book?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone like the characters helped each other?
What do you think the main message of the book is?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters and the setting to life. This can make the story more engaging and relatable.
Pause after dramatic moments in the story to allow your child to process what happened and predict what might come next, enhancing their analytical skills.
Relate the themes of the book to your child's experiences. For example, discuss a time they went on a journey or helped a friend, which can make the story more personal and memorable.
Ask your child to draw a scene or a character from the book. This encourages them to think creatively and connect more deeply with the story.
After reading, recall the story with your child by summarizing it together. This reinforces comprehension and memory skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Throughout the book 'Evergreen', the characters consistently engage in acts of kindness towards each other, demonstrating the positive effects such actions have on their community.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping their peers, sharing with siblings, or participating in community service, thus nurturing a welcoming and supportive environment in their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist in 'Evergreen' faces various challenges but doesn't give up. Their journey showcases the rewards of persistence, resilience, and hard work.
Real-World Application: This instills a mindset in children to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it be in solving a tough puzzle, learning a new skill, or improving academically.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book's setting in a lush, vibrant forest and the characters' interaction with their environment emphasizes the importance of respecting and preserving nature.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be mindful of their environmental impact, encouraging activities like recycling, conserving water, or planting trees.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Characters in 'Evergreen' achieve success by working together, highlighting that collaboration can lead to achieving greater goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable in group projects at school, sports teams, and family activities, promoting teamwork and the idea that combined efforts yield better results.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: The diverse characters in 'Evergreen' with their unique traits illustrate the strength found in diversity and the beauty of accepting everyone's differences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate diversity among their friends and in their community, understanding that everyone's unique qualities contribute to society's richness.