The Boy Who Moved Christmas

Written by Eric Walters and Nicole Wellwood

Illustrated by Carloe Liu

Nimbus

978-1-77108-911-1

32 pp.

Ages 6-10

October 2020

 

Evan Leversage was a real boy and this is a true story about him and his family and a town that helped advance a much-loved holiday to delight a dying boy.

 

According to the moving account in "A Word from Evan's Mom" at the conclusion of The Boy Who Moved Christmas, Evan had been diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was just a toddler. He endured years of chemotherapy and monitoring of the tumour which had stabilized, that is, until late 2014 when it was discovered that the tumour had grown. Evan braved more intense chemotherapy and radiation but by the fall of 2015, the doctors prepared the family for the worst. 

 

Evan's mom, co-author Nicole Wellwood, and his brothers Logan and Tyson, and others were determined to fulfill Evan's wish list of simple pleasures, including having one more Christmas together. On their new Christmas, October 19, there was a decorated tree up in the living room with presents under the it and Christmas lights festooning their house. And then the magic started. As the three boys looked out their picture book, snow began to fall.

 

From The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters and Nicole Wellwood, illus. by Carloe Liu

 

 

 

 

 

After donning his official police jacket, as an honorary police officer, Evan with his family and close friend were driven on a tour of their small town of St. George by Officers Ken and Danya. Everywhere there were lights and decorations and signage wishing Evan and his family "Merry Christmas." With carols playing and the streets busy with people, the town had a festive atmosphere.

From The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters and Nicole Wellwood, illus. by Carloe Liu

But the main event would not start until Evan was back home. Once there, he and his family sat in chairs along the roadside and enjoyed the miracle of a Christmas parade that came a few months early just for Evan.

From The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters and Nicole Wellwood, illus. by Carloe Liu

There were fire trucks and police vehicles and paramedics. There were countless floats and walkers costumed as angels and elves, nutcrackers and clowns. There were bands and music, candy and bubbles. And then came the man who represents Christmas to so many children: Santa. To Evan's surprised delight, he was invited to sit with the great man.

“Everyone is so happy to see you, Santa!” said Evan.
Just then, someone called out, “Merry Christmas, Evan!”
Santa looked down at him. “Seems like they’re more excited to see you, pal.”
Evan’s smile got even bigger.
It was Christmas.
Christmas in October. Christmas for Evan.

Evan Leversage may have died before December 25 of that year but, courtesy of a family and a community of good people, he had what he declared to be, "the best Christmas!"

From The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters and Nicole Wellwood, illus. by Carloe Liu

In a story taken from the headlines but given warmth and heart with words perfect for young readers, Eric Walters with Nicole Wellwood have told us about the boy who moved Christmas. He is both ordinary and extraordinary. He could be any child and yet he was most assuredly Evan, a boy who derived pleasures from being with his family and sharing Christmas with them and others and who could mobilize the affections of many with his story alone. The emotional power of this young boy's life with the naturalness of how he lived it is echoed in the illustrations by Halifax's Carloe Liu. Her signature watercolours give a brightness in the bold colours of Christmas but also an ethereal quality in the softness of her line and shape.

I'm glad Evan was The Boy Who Moved Christmas, but this was not an event borne in self.  It was Evan's selflessness that inspired others to do for him so I'm glad that everyone–Evan, his mom, his brothers, his family, friends and those who never knew Evan–got to enjoy this special Christmas together. Moreover, five years after that memorable day, young readers can now learn of his story and appreciate what happened and why and how, and perhaps be moved to their own acts of altruism. That would be yet another gift from Evan, by way of Eric Walters and Nicole Wellwood's The Boy Who Moved Christmas.