Lost Evangeline: A wise and magical story that celebrates fairytales

When a shoemaker discovers a tiny girl in the toe of a boot, he raises her with love and care. Having named her 'Evangeline' - a name that spoke of possibilities - he shares with her his dreams of exploration and adventure. His wife, on the other hand, feels that there is something unnatural about the little girl and is jealous of the closeness of their relationship and the dreams they share. When she sells Evangeline to a rich old lady, the wife loses everything as the shoemaker leaves to search for his child and never returns. Meanwhile, Evangeline, who has escaped with the aid of a marmalade cat, is also seeking her father in an impossibly big world.

With elements reminiscent of Thumbelina and Pinocchio, Lost Evangeline is a delightful story of enduring love, kindness and adventurous spirit. The shoemaker has always longed for adventure, with his dreams thwarted first by his father and then by his wife. When Evangeline comes into his life, he has someone to share his hopes with, a kindred spirit full of curiosity and wonder. Their separation is the catalyst for his becoming a sailor, determined to continue seeking his lost daughter.

Evangeline, tiny though she is, is equally set on finding the shoemaker. Encountering both good and evil characters on her journey, she remains positive and full of courage, an inspiration as she sings her songs of freedom.

The feeling of reading a fairy tale is enhanced by the very atmospheric illustrations which show the spirals of song which weave their way through the story, right to the end. Although there is no instant happy ending with father and daughter reunited once more, it is through the final illustration that the reader is left with a thread of hope that this might yet happen.

I feel this could be a 'Marmite' story, provoking strong reactions in its readers, but I loved it!

160 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+