By Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall
Can a child no bigger than the toe of a boot find the strength to cross a world built for giants?
Kate DiCamillo completes her Norendy Tales trilogy with Lost Evangeline, a middle-grade story that feels both timeless and fresh. Working alongside the talented Sophie Blackall, whose illustrations add a layer of soft, classical charm, DiCamillo introduces us to a girl the size of a mouse. Discovered in a shoemaker’s shop, Evangeline is raised with deep affection until a series of misunderstandings forces her into the wide world alone. The plot tracks her perilous journey back to her adoptive father, a quest filled with eccentric figures like a boastful cat and moments of genuine wonder. Having already garnered starred reviews and comparisons to the works of Hans Christian Andersen, this book offers a beautiful mix of fairy-tale logic and deep, relatable human emotion. It is a story about belonging that hits a high note of literary merit while remaining accessible to young readers.
This title is a perfect addition to any Changemaker library because of how it highlights the IB Learner Profile trait of being caring. Evangeline doesn’t survive her journey through brute force; she survives through her ability to connect with others and through her unwavering kindness. This aligns well with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, providing a springboard for kids to talk about how we treat people who are different from or smaller than the majority. In a classroom setting, Evangeline’s interactions with the vain cat might be used to spark a debate on how empathy can transform even the most difficult relationships. By focusing on her moral agency and resilience, the book inspires students to see themselves as capable of making a difference, regardless of their age or physical stature. It moves the idea of “taking action” away from grand gestures and focuses on the quiet, steady bravery required to stand up for one’s own worth and the dignity of others.
