My enormous thanks to Levi at Books 2 Door for sending me a copy of Evie in the Jungle by Matt Haig in return for an honest review. Evie in the Jungle was one of the 2020 World Book Day stories and is published by Canongate.

You can see my reviews of other children’s books I’ve been privileged to review thanks to Books 2 Door through this link.

Evie in the Jungle can be found for purchase here on the Books 2 Door website.

Evie in the Jungle

A TRULY WILD ADVENTURE!

Twelve-year-old Evie has a talent. She can HEAR what animals are thinking and she can TALK to them with her mind.

When Evie goes on a trip to the Amazon rainforest, her powers are put to the test. She makes friends with pink river dolphins, must save an injured sloth, and discovers the secret life of a jaguar. Soon she sees that the jungle is in serious and deadly danger, and comes up with a rather risky plan to help save it . . .

A brilliant new story from bestselling author Matt Haig, featuring Evie from Evie and the Animals and with illustrations by the award-winning Emily Gravett.

My Review of Evie in the Jungle

Evie wants to travel to the Amazon.

What a wonderful children’s story. Perfect for reading independently or through a shared session, Evie in the Jungle has such humanity and warmth that I absolutely loved it. The illustrations by Emily Gavett are glorious and bring the text alive so that even more reluctant readers have a means to hook their reading.

The plot is super, allowing children to travel the world from the safety of their own homes whilst learning about other countries, ecology and geography. The magical element of Evie being able to communicate with animals makes Evie in the Jungle appeal to children’s imaginations too and they’ll love the rudeness of Neruda. I think there are all kinds of opportunity to use Evie in the Jungle for learning as well as enjoyment. I am ashamed that I hadn’t heard of Professor Abigail Garcia and so I learnt from the story too.

However, the most wonderful aspect of Evie in the Jungle comes through Matt Haig’s blending of climate awareness into the narrative. Without being heavy handed he manages to convey the peril facing animals in the Amazon and ways in which we can all help alleviate that danger. Similarly, the fact that Evie’s Mum has died affords an opportunity to discuss grief and loss in a non-threatening way with children. I thought there was such sensitivity and kindness in these elements.

Evie in the Jungle is a wonderful tale for children – of all ages – and I thoroughly recommend it!

About Matt Haig

Matt Haig is an author for children and adults. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It is being made into a film by Studio Canal and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. His novels for adults include the award-winning How To Stop Time, The Radleys and The Humans.

He won the TV Book Club ‘book of the series’, and has been shortlisted for a Specsavers National Book Award. The Humans was chosen as a World Book Night title. His children’s novels have won the Smarties Gold Medal, the Blue Peter Book of the Year, been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal three times.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @matthaig1. Visit his website for further information and find him on Facebook and Instagram.