Fine print: We are an independent review organization; we do not use generative AI for any textual content, nor do we accept compensation for book reviews. We are participants in the Westminster Books, Christian Book, Bookshop, and Amazon LLC affiliate programs; purchases you make through these affiliate links may earn us a commission. Read more here.
In Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo, wishes are fulfilled in unexpected ways.
Lost Evangeline: A Norendy Tale by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Candlewick, 2025, 147 pages.
- Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10
- Recommended for: ages 4-12
In a small seaside town, there lived a humble shoemaker who faithfully plied his craft, all the while dreaming of sailing into the horizon in one of the ships that harbored nearby. One fateful day, the shoemaker discovers a tiny baby girl in the toe of a boot! His wife is deeply suspicious of such an uncanny being, but the shoemaker is in love from the start. He names her Evangeline and walks her down to the harbor in his pocket to feel the salty breeze and sing to the sea.
His wife, meanwhile, grows more and more convinced that her husband is bewitched, and arranges to have the little girl discovered and sold, for many pieces of gold, to a bitter old woman who is not long for this world. By the time the shoemaker discovers where Evangeline is, she has already escaped on the back of a marmalade cat. Evangeline is lost! Will the distraught father and missing daughter ever be reunited?
The story may not end as readers expect, but all the characters receive their just deserts. Their narrative rolls out in the slightly formalized but winsome style of DiCamillo’s other Norendy Tales. The physical book is beautifully designed with gilt edges and plentiful illustrations by Sophie Blackall, including a full-color frontispiece glued, not printed, on the title facing page. Spell-like and economical, Lost Evangeline makes a perfect read-aloud for cozy autumn nights.
Bottom Line: A simple tale reminiscent of “Thumbelina,” beautifully told and presented.
Also at Redeemed Reader:
- Reviews: “The Norendy Tales” is a series of disconnected stories by DiCamillo, including The Puppets of Spelhorst (starred review) and The Hotel Balzaar (starred review).
- Review: Picture books by Sophie Blackall include Farmhouse and Finding Winnie (starred review). Novels include The Beatryce Prophesy (also by DiCamillo) and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny (starred review).
- Resource: See our Picture-Booklist of Fairy and Folk Tales (and learn the difference!).
Order Lost Evangeline from Amazon.
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
We'd love to hear from you!
Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!
Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.