Evert: A Shrew With A View introduced readers to a spunky, independent little shrew and his adventures in a new garden. But what has Evert been up to since then?

Author Sonya Julie of Rochester Writers recently sat down with Sue Agauas to ask about Evert, the curious relationship between an author and her rather opinionated character, and what readers might expect from his next adventure.

Sonya Julie: Hello, Sue. Today, I’d like to talk with you about your character, Evert, from your book, Evert: A Shrew With A View, published in 2024. I hear rumors that there might be more adventures with this spunky little shrew. Am I correct?

Sue: Yes, and thank you for noting that Evert is a SHREW and not a mouse. (He’s very sensitive about that distinction.) Evert has been very active over the past year. Hopefully, his newest book will make an appearance this fall. The new book details some disturbing changes Evert has had to deal with while living in his perfect garden.

Sonya Julie: Hmm, interesting. Could you expand on that a little more?

Sue: Certainly.

Evert, as you know, is an extraordinary and very independent shrew. He likes to do things his way—the shrew’s way. This can lead to some problems.

As I reported in his first book, when Evert found a new home, it wasn’t all earthworms and grubs! Evert struggled to overcome some unexpected and unsettling obstacles.

(Sue chuckles, winks, and nods her head knowingly.)

Sonya Julie: Uh, excuse me, Sue. I noticed you said “reported.” Readers of Evert’s first adventures may be curious about how you came to “report” this story.

Sue: You’re very perceptive, Sonya. Yes, I feel I am just a reporter of Evert’s actions, thoughts, and feelings. It was the only way Evert would agree to publish a book about him.

Sonya Julie: Agree? You had an agreement with a shrew?

Sue: Of course. Yes. We both agreed that an honest description of Evert’s adventures during that first summer in his new garden was the best way to describe his experiences.

Sonya Julie: I see. So, are you saying Evert, a shrew, told you about his adventures in the first story? You do realize that this shrew isn’t real, right?

Sue: (Sue chuckles again.) Right! Exactly! Of course.

Sonya Julie: Okay. Now tell us more about this newest book.

Sue: In the newest book, strange things are happening in Evert’s perfect garden.

Sonya Julie: Strange things?

Sue: Yes. Everything seems to be falling apart! Friends vanish without a word. His bountiful food supply dwindles daily before his eyes! Suddenly, his perfect garden isn’t perfect anymore.

Sonya Julie: Oh, my, that does sound alarming. How does Evert deal with these changes?

Sue: It’s not easy for Evert. He must sort through confusing and alarming circumstances to find an answer before it’s too late.

Sonya Julie: Before it’s too late? Sounds serious.

Sue: Yes. It’s a matter of life or death. I invite you to follow Evert’s adventures in his next book.