The Story Behind the Book
I sold Dear Mr. G in early 2021 but the journey for this book started in 2019. I adore epistolary books and I knew I wanted to write one, but I didn’t know who the characters were or what would happen.
So, I just started writing a letter between a boy and his neighbor. That first letter set the stage for what would become a special intergenerational friendship. The letters continued and included roses and soccer. Jokes and birthday parties. Loss and remembrance.
Unconsciously I was being influenced by my own childhood. I grew up in an English village with older neighbors on both sides who were important extended members of our family. You can see the roses in the garden of one of them behind two-year-old-me in this photo.
And my own grandad was a keen gardener, spending many an hour in his allotment tending his vegetable crops. My husband’s grandfather and his mum were also gardeners and they particularly loved roses.
Dear Mr. G is truly the book of my heart and carries in it my own memories of childhood, grief, and friendship.
We sold this story after being on sub with it for nearly 18 months so Dear Mr. G is dedicated to my agent, Elizabeth Bennett, who always believed in it and found a perfect home.
Gracey Zhang brings Jackson and Mr. G’s story to life with her trademark ink and watercolor. What she created blew me away and she too was influenced by her own childhood and her very own Mr. G.
And now it’s time for you to make Mr. G’s story yours. Gracey and I (and the whole team at Union Square Kids, including our editors Eve Adler and Esther Cajahuaringa) have made a beautiful book and I’m thrilled we get to share it with the world.
Love,
Christine
Editorial Reviews
“This book will encourage children to explore unlikely friendships, as well as introduce the topic of grief and loss. It could also serve as an introduction to the benefits of pen pal friendships, from the perspectives of both parties . . . . A moving tale that touches on topics of patience, love, and loss. A worthy purchase for all libraries.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“Zhang’s art beautifully illustrates the warmth of their bond, the passing of time, and the ache of loss . . . . A tender, vibrant portrait of intergenerational connection.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Poignant . . . . A sensitive, unusually oblique addition to the shelf of books aimed at helping young people cope with loss.” —Booklist
“Expressive, assured ink and wash artwork by Zhang creates a sense of close community in this story told in correspondence between a child and an older neighbor . . . . Evans shows how written words can help grow friendship in a story that underscores an intergenerational bond’s many gifts.” —Publishers Weekly
Launch Party
I’ll be at Linden Tree Books on Saturday April 8th at 11am to launch Dear Mr. G. I’d love to see you there if you can make it. There’ll be cookies and we’ll be making cards and writing letters to send to local seniors.
This month I’m excited for…
these books.
a trip to LA for Spring Break.
school visits for Dear Mr. G.
and Independent Bookstore Day on April 29 (catch me at Linden Tree Books).