Een meisje zo klein als een muis

The Norendy Tales

by Kate DiCamillo, Harry Pallemans (Translator), Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)

Wanneer een schoenmaker een piepklein meisje ontdekt, neemt hij haar in huis, noemt haar Evangeline en voedt haar op als zijn eigen dochter. De vrouw van de schoenmaker vreest echter dat het meisje haar man heeft betoverd, dus wanneer zich een kans voordoet om zich van het meisje te ontdoen, grijpt ze die met beide handen aan.
Evangeline bevindt zich daardoor ver van haar vader en haar thuis, een klein meisje verdwaald in de grote wereld. Maar ze is dapper en vindingrijk, en met de hulp van onder andere een onvergetelijke kat, vindt ze misschien wel haar weg terug.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Fairy Tales, Audiobook

143 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Kate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.

Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."

Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.

Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.

Reviews

[Carolyn Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t express the pure joy I feel when Kate DiCamillo writes a new story! She has been, and remains to be, one of my most beloved authors.

Kate DiCamillo captures the beauty, wonder, and hardships of life in such an honest way. Her love for the world, and for storytelling, is expressed clearly and eloquently in each and every one of her books.

Her tales are timeless and universal. Like the sun, they light our lives with brilliant golden rays.

[Kim Novak (The Reading Rx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this is a magical hodgepodge of Thumbelina, Pinocchio, and Alice in Wonderland to the tune of a sea shanty. Literary witchcraft I tell you.

[Janssen]

A little strange but charming

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A shoemaker dreams of the sea, but in his daily life he finds a different kind of treasure: a small girl, curled up and tucked into the squared-toe boot of a pair dropped off at his shop. As their bond grows, they share dreams of the sea — dreams that stir old longing in him. His wife, feeling left behind, grows jealous and afraid that those dreams may one day carry him away.

This modern parable explores marriage, longing, and the ache of lost dreams — dreams that take shape in the form of a girl who sings like an angel. When she disappears, the shoemaker sets out across the seas to find her — as she searches for him in turn.

It almost feels unfair to pair two artists as masterful as Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall, but they are truly brilliant together. The first two acts of the story are gorgeously written — lyrical, modern-gothic, with an echo of *The Wolves of Willoughby Chase* in tone. However, I found the final section (the coda) lacking. It felt rushed and unbalanced compared to the careful pacing of the earlier parts, and it left too much unresolved — particularly for a young reader. The ending doesn’t quite land, especially for those who crave a sense of closure.

That said, this is a remarkable book in atmosphere and tone, and I loved the quiet magic of its world — I just wish the final pages had given the story the resolution it deserved.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute and dark as heck as per usual

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first 2 books in the Norendy Tales but this third book is far and away my favorite. Perhaps it’s a little bit more of a classic story that reminds me of the fairy tales from my childhood. Perhaps it’s Sophie Blackall’s delightful illustrations. But in the end, I couldn’t give it 5 stars because I’m not a fan of ambiguous endings. I can’t imagine that a middle grade reader would like that either.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shoemaker finds a tiny baby hidden in a shoe, and the little girl grows up to be as small as a mouse. He names her Evangeline after a beautiful ship, and the two dream of going to sea someday. The shoemaker's wife thinks Evangeline's small size is a sign of bewitchment, and resents her husband's love for his adopted daughter. She sells Evangeline for a sack of money, but Evangeline escapes and searches for her father. Along the way, Evangeline gets help from a reluctant cat and a scared boy, but she finds the courage and resilience to inspire them to join her in her adventures.

I really liked Evangeline's character! She is spunky and brave in the face of huge odds. She never gives up, and she believes the best of people, hoping to inspire them to see their own possibilities. I love a good under-dog story, and Evangeline has that tenacious hope that holds on in the darkness until the day dawns again.

The story is told with a lovely old-fashioned style that is quite elegant in its brevity. Every word fits exactly where it should, and no words are wasted. The result is a powerful writing style that tugs at your emotions!

I loved the pretty illustrations through the book which really bring forward the emotional pathos of the story. The artwork makes this story truly special!
This chapter book is perfect for young readers ages 7-10 who are reading on their own, but not ready for lengthy books yet.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.

[Sam Lofgran · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very bold claim to make, but this is perhaps my favorite kate dicamillo?? it was enchanting yet sad yet heartwarming and clever and funny and original yet familiar and truly perfect beyond belief in a way that only middle grade books can be. I shall softly weep every time I think about this book for the rest of time

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shoemaker and his small daughter, who can fit in the palm of her father’s hand, long for the adventure of the sea. It is worth the loss to get there?

I love moving through this magical, bittersweet world DiCamillo has created. The small glimpses of humanity shine through, even in a self-centered marmalade cat.

The afterward is in this book is particularly moving.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate DiCamillo and Ann Patchett did a joint Library of Congress event (it’s on YouTube) in which Patchett, kinda outta nowhere, calls DiCamillo the E.B. White of our generation. I don’t know—this is more Thumbelina than Stuart Little, and I think one could make a better argument that DiCamillo is our Hans Christian Andersen. DiCamillo might even know it, as she places the lantern in a small town in Denmark at the very end of the book. Or maybe she is equally striving to be the child’s Psalmist. They that go down to the sea in ships and all. Or, there go the ships: there is that Leviathan. (Evangeline had seen it in her mind.) There is something of psalmody in her shanty, “O, the world is large, so mind how you sail, sir. The waters are deep sir. You must mind how you sail. These waters will swallow you whole, sir.”

The second half is very different from the first. I wanted the first half never to stop—I think it’s arguably the greatest thing DiCamillo has ever written—but the second does make the book stranger and uncanny and so may have been necessary.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Report: Lost Evangeline

My Thoughts: Kate DiCamillo has done it again ✨Lost Evangeline is a magical new addition to the Norendy tales and I was completely swept away. When a shoemaker discovers a girl no bigger than a mouse 🐭 and names her Evangeline…my heart melted instantly. The bond between them is tender and true 💕and the story unfolds like a timeless fairytale complete with danger…wonder and even a perfectly grumpy cat 🐈Evangeline is brave…clever and impossible not to root for. Every page made me feel like I was right there following her on this brave little journey. DiCamillo’s storytelling + Sophie Blackall’s enchanting illustrations 🖤 = pure bookish magic. This one begs to be read aloud, savored slowly and treasured ✨📖

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[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

She writes for children but speaks to the adult reader as well. This fairy tale of a girl the size of a thumb is about her finding an adoptive father and mother, except the mother is afraid of her. The girl, Evangeline becomes lost and tries to get home with the help of a cat. While themes of loss, acceptance, and family are obvious for young readers, the adult might see the father’s lost dreams, the predator character, and desire for love on a deeper level. Dicamillo is one of my favorite authors!

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

review coming soon

[Hannah Kistler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting today. I just love Kate DiCamillo.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud with 6yr & 4 yr old girls.

We really enjoyed this “new” fairytale! Seeing a familiar author & illustrator, I picked this up off the New Book shelf at our library and pre-read before sharing it with my girls. I was happy to find that it was a sweetly magical story that incorporated the classic fairytale elements of adventure, danger, bravery, and virtue.

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a small girl the size of a thimble who is separated tragically from her father. She befriends a marmalade-colored cat and a young tailor on her journey to find her father at sea.

We love the dream team of Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall. Their work complements each other’s creativity so well.

This had all the whimsy and heartbreak of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The ending was not as satisfying as we’d hoped but I know it will be one we come back to again.

The characters are perfectly flawed which leaves lots of food for thought.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of beautiful, kind of heartbreaking.
Also part of me feels like this was too short to really mean anything.I don't know.Yeah, there were just a lot of moving parts, and I just feel like this story had so much more to offer if it was like a two hundred fifty page book.I don't know how to feel about it.So that's why I rated it middle of the road.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate DiCamillo is an enchantress. Her words instantly transport the reader into whatever world she wishes you to inhabit. I somehow have missed the other Norendy tales, but this one is beautiful. From the start the gentle writing rhythm takes us into a fairytale world where anything is possible. The style reminded me of The Tale of Despereaux, my first DiCamillo book read, oh so many years ago. In fact, I kind of expected Despereaux to turn up each time I turned the page.

The beginning of this book is exquisite, I loved the shoe maker and Evangeline, and up until shortly after Evangeline meets the cat, it couldn't be faulted. Shortly after Evangeline and the cat begin their adventures, however, the story began to fall a little flat, and I certainly wasn't expecting the ending that I got. I personally didn't find it satisfying (the shoe maker!), but can still see how it fits. This is what dropped my rating to a 4, whereas the first half or more was a 5 star read.

Will have to ensure I visit Norendy again (and maybe return to Despereaux too).

[Cindy Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Thumbelina inspired tale follows a tiny girl on harrowing adventures in her little village. Evangeline, despite her small size, has big dreams of traveling the high seas. Her adoptive father shares her dreams, and has inspired a love of all things related to the sea in Evangeline. The only problem is her adoptive mother - she is convinced that Evangeline is bewitched and causes all sorts of trouble as a result. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall (a favorite among illustrators), this small tale will keep you entertained - and maybe inspire you to take your own adventure. Evangeline may be small, but she is mighty - she thinks quickly on her feet and she is not afraid of much in this world.

I always love how I become completely immersed in DiCamillo's stories, and no matter how short they are, they feel like epic tales. I can't wait to read the next short tale set in this fictional locale of Norendy.

[Helen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a specific kind of magic that only Kate DiCamillo can weave. LOST EVANGELINE feels like a fairy tale that’s been here forever. It’s bittersweet and completely mesmerizing.

What I loved most was the 'glittery thread' of a song - you can actually see it in the illustrations - that keeps the father and daughter connected even when they are worlds apart.

And there’s a cat involved! If you’re a recent reader, like I am, of POCkET BEAR and THE WINTER OF THE DOLLHOUSE and know Zephyrina and Flosshilde respectively, you will like meeting this cat,

“She stood up straighter. She said, “I am not a morsel. I’m Evangeline. What is your name?”
“My name?” said the cat. “What use would I have for a name? I am myself. And that’s the end of that discussion.”

The ending is beautifully ambiguous, I think it’s up to the reader to decide so I feel that I’m not spoiling it by saying - in my version of the story Evangeline and her father absolutely do find each other in the end. Even if they never share a page together again, I know they’re both looking at the same stars from the same ocean.

I loved this story. I love the gilt edges and illustrations in the book. A must-read for anyone who still believes - or wants to believe - in the impossible.

[Gwendolyn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this one a lot and now I’m so curious to read the other “Norendy Tales” bc I didn’t realize this one was actually part of a set/trilogy of fairy tales (or that the others existed, honestly) - but it makes total sense because I’d describe this book as a new fairy tale & I’m gathering that’s exactly what DiCamillo is intending. She does a wonderful job of creating a fantasy-but-believable new world in the book where people can be different sizes and animals can talk and you totally just roll with it…ala most fairy tales. It’s a tad dark and a little sad but overall we loved it. We also really love Sophie Blackall so while the audio book was fab (and short so good for a car ride!) definitely snag a paper copy too for the beautiful illustrations!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate DiCamillo’s books hit that tender spot between sadness and sweetness. This book is no different. A miniature child, very like Thumbelina, transforms the life of a shoemaker by her unlooked-for arrival. When she goes missing, the unspooling of two stories – hers and her shoemaker father’s – begins. The story does not end as most readers would wish, and this is something I often find with DiCamillo’s books. Odd and intentional sorrows linger. True, they are tempered by a warmth that I think is supposed to satisfy, but the sad mood still haunts. I liked this book, and so did my kids, but I do wish a fairy tale style story would have a bit more of a fairy tale ending.

[Joan Wi88ows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want so bad for this to be a five star book but i want more agh. I absolutely loved it but at the same time a few small things put me off a bit and the ending was weirdly rushed. I want to SEE all of Evangaline’s story like in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I like the ending itself, though unexpected, but I wish we spent more time getting there. To be fair it’s for younger readers but still.

It also felt a bit like the whole thing could have been solved so easily if a character had been a lil smarter and that was weird. It was a lot less unavoidable than what happens to Edward Tulane

[Tyra Damm · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fairy tale from beloved author Kate DiCamillo, wee Evangeline relies on courage and love to persevere. This is the final installment in DiCamillo's Norendy Tale series, each book featuring tender characters and a dose of magic. I never tire of her writing -- clever turns of phrase, cheeky humor and crisp dialogue.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable, sweet little original fairy tale about a girl as small as a mouse that finds home and then loses it, and her adventures to return home again.

This was the perfect little palate cleanser I needed!

[Camilla]

A fable-like tale of a tiny girl, her adopted father and their love of the sea. For older children or adults and illustrated with black and white drawings by Sophie Blackall. I really liked this until the last quarter of it. Not quite sure how I would rate it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fairytale-esque story full of adventure, longing, a beautiful father/daughter relationship, and courage. And a collaboration from two children's authors I've come to greatly admire. Sophie Blackall's illustrations are excellent!

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of the lure of the sea, a father’s love for his tiny daughter, and how songs connect us, no matter the time and distance.

[Meggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely, lovely tale by the wonderful Kate DiCamallo. It was a special joy to read aloud to my four year old who “loved that one.”