Highly recommended. I loved the text in this book – it is a lovely story of the discovery of friendship between Oscar and Charlie, despite the anxious misgivings of Oscar. Their isolation from one another eventually is overcome by simple acts of kindness, even though they are not initially well-received. They both become concerned for each other – without ever having met. The poetic start to the first few pages allows a tender introduction to the difficulties of the characters living relatively lonely and separated lives. However, the illustrations could have done so much more in connecting this gentle plot-line to a child’s understanding. The illustrations are inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem: ‘There’s a Certain Slant of Light’ and are atmospheric, muted interpretations of the text using watercolour washes and eccentric pencil drawings of animal characters with a few ‘splatters’ of light added. Although I admire the intention, I am surprised the Publisher and/or Illustrator did not aim for a more realistic visual portrayal that children could connect to more easily. Overcoming anxiety and beginning a friendship with a shy friend would have resonated so much more obviously with a more realistic choice of illustration style, although I recognise the ‘poetry’ of the image as well as the lyrical text.
Worth reading for the beauty of the writing alone.
Carolyn Hull

See full post here: http://www.readplus.com.au/blog.php

The illustrations are what struck me first about Edwina Wyatt’s hardback picture book In the Evening. Gaye Chapman’s fine line drawings give the book an enchanting, whimsical feel, producing a sense of pastel-hued, cold evening light that sparkles with snowflakes, delicate clouds and showers.

The story is about an unlikely friendship that develops between two squirrels- Oscar, who is very shy and Charlie, a bold, outgoing little fellow.

In the evening, as shoes shriek in hallways, pots and pans bubble and curtains are drawn, Oscar tends to huddle inside at his window, watching the sights and listening to the sounds outside. Charlie, though, spends a lot of time in the open air, sometimes on his verandah and sometimes swinging in his tree, all the time nodding and waving until night comes.

When, at his window one evening, Oscar sees Charlie waving to him, his heart thumps. He doesn’t know what to do. So he ignores Charlie. Over several evenings, Charlie continues to try to start up a friendship with his shy neighbour, but Oscar does all sorts of things to avoid him.

Finally, Oscar shouts at Charlie to leave him alone and retreats further into his house so that Charlie can’t see him.

Charlie stays away, in fact he stays inside and can no longer be seen in his tree waving. Before long, though, shy Oscar misses his neighbour. He listens and waits…to no avail.

It is now up to Oscar. At last he gathers his courage, leaves his house and knocks on Charlie’s door…whereupon a wonderful friendship begins.

This is a fine book, gently demonstrating that new horizons can open up if we face fears and meet people halfway. The enchanting story shows young readers that friendship can develop between anyone, even if there are some rocky times…but for friendship to blossom it needs us to reach out.

See full post here: http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/authors-illustrators/ckts-book-reviews/1357-in-the-evening

Children’s books we love :: September: 

‘In The Evening’ is a subtle and gentle ode to friendship, and stretching beyond our capabilities. Oscar and Charlie are neighbours. But when Charlie extends a hand of friendship, Oscar is not so sure what to do with himself. Gaye Chapman has created a magical and whimsical world with Edwina’s words. Edwina is another lovely book person I was fortunate to connect with on Sunday at Writers In The Park Festival. This is Edwina’s first book, and she has more beautiful books to come!

See full post at http://mylittlesunshinehouse.com/

I first met Zanni Louise on the pages of her book ‘Too Busy Sleeping’ illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare). Off the page, I found her to be as warm, elegant and unique as her gorgeous story. You can purchase a signed copy of her book at http://zannilouise.com/too-busy-sleeping/

Warmest thanks to Margaret Hamilton AM for including ‘In the Evening’ in the Pinerolo newsletter:

‘IN THE EVENING by Edwina Wyatt & Gaye Chapman (Little Hare).

Oscar and Charlie are different – one shy,the other bold.

Through this delightful book over the course of a week, their friendship develops and an all-night party cements their relationship.

RECOMMENDED.‘

Pinerolo – The Children’s Book Cottage, ‘Newsletter Number Twenty-three’ AUGUST 2015

Oscar is a quiet little character. When evening falls, he’s content to sit at his front window and simply listen and watch.

Charlie is far more outgoing. He likes to sit outside on his verandah, nodding and waving at all the goings-on as darkness falls.

One evening, Charlie gives Oscar a friendly wave. Oh no! What should quiet Oscar do? He’s not sure so he pretends not to notice.

Charlie doesn’t give up. On Tuesday he says hello. Oscar hides. On Wednesday, Charlie sends over a paper plane. Oscar ignores it.

Will Charlie keep trying to be friends? Will Oscar finally find the courage to respond?

In the Evening is a sensitive story about the complexities of friendship. It’s not always smooth sailing. Different personalities react differently, and perhaps need to approach friendship in different ways. Sometimes misunderstandings arise. Sometimes rocky patches need to be endured for lasting bonds to form.

The sweet simplicity of the narrative is complemented by whimsical watercolour and pencil illustrations that bring introvert Oscar and extrovert Charlie delightfully to life in a soft, wintry palette.

This is a gentle read, perfect for bedtime.

See Full Review

Edwina Wyatt’s In the Evening concerns itself with that ‘time of day’ when not only the light changes, but how our perceptions of the world around us can be affected too. It is the time described in a common French idiom as “the hour between the wolf and the dog” – when the light can cause you to confuse the friendly dog and the unfriendly wolf.  A stanza from Emily Dickinson, used as an epigraph, describes this effect.

There’s a certain Slant of light,

          Winter Afternoons –

That oppresses, like the Heft

          Of Cathedral Tunes –     

Both the story and the illustrations are, in the strict sense of the word, fabulous.  At the launch of her book Edwina Wyatt described the relationship between writer and illustrator as the “co-imagining” of a story. This is an example of “co-imagining” at its best.

The book introduces us to Charlie and Oscar who are neighbours but not yet neighbourly. They spend their evenings differently, apart, but observing each other. The images of these endearing squirrely characters have a mythical quality; their story has universal resonance while at the same time showing homely particulars of how these two begin a friendship.  This layering of meaning is expressed verbally in the story’s ‘fable’ quality and visually in the wash of watercolour over clear outlines. Gaye Chapman’s artwork was inspired by the atmospheric paintings of JMW Turner, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Gaye Chapman used loose washes of transparent watercolours and tea over graphite and coloured pencils and spatterings of masking-fluid stars, rain and snow.

The story has significance for Charlie and Oscar and for everyone, for this place and everywhere. In appreciating the story of the two creatures, children see possibilities for dealing with their own times of fearfulness and doubt.

Recurring uncertainty is expressed in the repetition of the line, “Oscar didn’t know what to do” –  a feeling every child and every adult will know.  But the cycle is broken with a gesture of outreach.  Oscar begins to “hope” for more signs of friendship from Charlie, and makes a move. A “knock, knock” on Charlie’s door, and a “hello” lead to an evening of delightful conviviality.

“That evening, bellies ached from laughter.

That evening, spoons went back for thirds.”

That “slant of light” that “oppresses” has been displaced by illuminated windows and a cosy fireside as “the night had just begun.”  So too has a friendship and an understanding. “Knock, knock” and “Hello!” won’t be strange sounds to Charlie any more.

There is a lesson here in this whimsical fable, but it’s conveyed with the lightest touch.

REVIEWED BY DIANNE COOK

Read the full review here