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Trevor
Trevor is a lonely yellow canary looking for a friend.
He stretches his wings the width of his boring cage and notices the tree outside stretching its branch. And on the end of that branch? Another canary! But he’s so shy and quiet.
Trevor knows just how to make him feel comfortable.
This is an elegantly told, truly unique tale of a canary who befriends a lemon and finds that you don’t have to be two of a kind to form a meaningful and lasting friendship.
He stretches his wings the width of his boring cage and notices the tree outside stretching its branch. And on the end of that branch? Another canary! But he’s so shy and quiet.
Trevor knows just how to make him feel comfortable.
This is an elegantly told, truly unique tale of a canary who befriends a lemon and finds that you don’t have to be two of a kind to form a meaningful and lasting friendship.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Jim Averbeck
13 books40 followersI was born and raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, a beautiful city built, like Rome, on seven hills-wooded hills of oak, walnut, and maple where I and my childhood imagination ran wild.
I enjoy throwing myself into situations which give me an opportunity to explore and grow. I joined the Peace Corps in my late twenties and went to live in Cameroon in western Africa for almost four years. It was there I first realized I wanted to write for children.
I enjoy throwing myself into situations which give me an opportunity to explore and grow. I joined the Peace Corps in my late twenties and went to live in Cameroon in western Africa for almost four years. It was there I first realized I wanted to write for children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 16, 2019
A sad, sweet tale about a lonely canary who befriends a lemon. As unlikely as it seems, their alliance leads to a new life for our feathered pal, though it may be a bittersweet ending for the lemon. (Sorry. I couldn't resist.)
I think I liked this one so much because it reminded me of another unusual love story - Peach and Blue.
I think I liked this one so much because it reminded me of another unusual love story - Peach and Blue.
November 11, 2018
An adorable book about a lonely canary named Trevor who just wants a friend...he spots a lemon hanging in a tree and tries to befriend it. Ultimately, Trevor's kindness pays off when a sunflower seed he tries to give the lemon blooms into a sunflower, attracting other birds and new friends for Trevor. Beautifully poignant with bright acrylic illustrations created on wood that tie the story nicely together.
November 20, 2018
The most depressing story about a bird and a lemon. It's really sweet at times, and the illustrations are simple and charming, but I'm unsure how to interpret their friendship or the book's closing message.
August 2, 2019
3.5 stars - rounded up
Very unusual story about a canary who befriends a lemon that made me feel both sad and lonely as well as hopeful. It is one of those stories where the audience sees something that the character in the story does not. A little confused about the overall message, but it feels like the author is saying that our emotional needs can be met in many different ways and that is okay.
Very unusual story about a canary who befriends a lemon that made me feel both sad and lonely as well as hopeful. It is one of those stories where the audience sees something that the character in the story does not. A little confused about the overall message, but it feels like the author is saying that our emotional needs can be met in many different ways and that is okay.
November 20, 2018
A sweet story about a lonely bird who befriends a lemon. I loved this funny and thoughtful story. The illustrations are beautiful as well.
May 9, 2019
Trevor is a little canary who is stuck in his cage and he’s lonely. He makes his first friend, a lemon, when he offers to share his favorite seed. A sweet story about the gift of friendship.
August 24, 2018
Trevor is a very lonely canary who knows that he can escape his cage at any time, but stays put for the seeds. He has one favorite kind, sunflower seeds, that he saves for when he is feeling loneliest. When Trevor sees a lemon outside of his window, he tries to get it to sing with him. He even gives it his last striped sunflower seed, but it won’t eat. The lemon doesn’t reply to Trevor at all and doesn’t give him any gifts in return. Still, Trevor builds a nest in the tree for himself and the lemon. Meanwhile, the seed has fallen to the ground below. Eventually, a storm comes and Trevor must try to save the lemon. When he reaches the ground, he discovers the sunflower has sprouted and grown, scattering seeds across the ground. When a group of hungry birds arrives, Trevor quickly realizes what real friendship feels like.
Averbeck keeps the text of this picture book very simple, making it just right for younger listeners and good to share aloud. The emotions that Trevor feels in the book take center stage, from frustration at the lemon to eventual forgiveness to acceptance about their differences. Trevor is a great mix of brave, inquisitive and friendly as he makes his way into the larger world.
Hevron’s illustrations are painted onto wood. She cleverly allows the wood to show through to create tree branches and leaf spines. Against the pale blue background, the leaves, lemon and Trevor himself pop. One can see the wood grain throughout the book, both covered in color and plain. It makes for a very organic and natural feel.
A lovely quiet picture book about new friends and what to do when life gives you lemons. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Averbeck keeps the text of this picture book very simple, making it just right for younger listeners and good to share aloud. The emotions that Trevor feels in the book take center stage, from frustration at the lemon to eventual forgiveness to acceptance about their differences. Trevor is a great mix of brave, inquisitive and friendly as he makes his way into the larger world.
Hevron’s illustrations are painted onto wood. She cleverly allows the wood to show through to create tree branches and leaf spines. Against the pale blue background, the leaves, lemon and Trevor himself pop. One can see the wood grain throughout the book, both covered in color and plain. It makes for a very organic and natural feel.
A lovely quiet picture book about new friends and what to do when life gives you lemons. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
November 11, 2018
Touching story of a bird’s quest to free itself from the captivity of self-delusion and the snares of ego attachments. The bright yellow of canary and lemon symbolizes the enlightening and liberating power of Love, which gives everything and asks for nothing at all.
November 2, 2024
The tale of Trevor, a lonely caged canary who leaves his cage and befriends a lemon. This perceived friendship between Trevor and the lemon through time leads Trevor to make new friends, but never forgetting his first friend.
December 1, 2018
This book made me incredibly sad. The stories we tell ourselves, the illusions people create, so we are not lonely and alone. There is a deep truth about humanity in this one.
September 10, 2018
Trevor is a canary who lives in a safe but boring cage until he sees a lemon, whom he mistakes for another canary, growing on the tree outside his window. He decides to leave his cage and befriend the lemon, offering it his last sunflower seed. Initially, the lemon's lack of response angers Trevor, but he calms down and interprets the lemon's silence as the response he needs. He builds a nest for himself and the lemon, and they spend the summer together. Trevor finds meaning in the lemon's silences such like the rests in music. Their friendship provides Trevor with much needed comfort in the wide lonely world.
Then one fateful day a fierce thunderstorm shakes the tree and knocks the lemon out of the nest. The lemon rolls away and is lost. Trevor is beside himself with grief. Settling himself down to cry behind the sunflower that had grown from the seed he dropped on the day he first met the lemon, Trevor finds himself surrounded by other birds. Together they share the sunflower seeds, and Trevor is no longer friendless and alone. He migrates south with his new friends, reflecting upon his friendship with the lemon. The story ends with a toad discovering the lemon whose browning peel resembles the toad's skin, suggesting that he, too, will find it a meaningful friend.
Children will see this as a silly story in which a bird befriends a lemon without ever realizing that it is a lemon, but there's something deeper at work as well. There is an obvious moral here, but it is somewhat difficult to tease out.
Trevor has a safe but boring life. He could open his cage any time he wanted to and fly away, but "Trevor stayed -- for the seeds." So, like many people, he remains in an unsatisfactory situation for the money, security, and/or the health insurance. His life is boring and lonely, but he's afraid to take risks, and he consoles himself with a single creature comfort -- his favorite type of seed. This could be interpreted as a hobby or favorite television program or even as something less innocent like smoking.
Then Trevor sees the lemon, and everything changes. It's the catalyst that gives him the courage to act. Because the lemon is an inanimate object, he reads into it everything he needs, which means the source of Trevor's fortitude was inner strength all along. This seems to say that one already has what one needs inside him/herself. The only thing someone needs is inducement to act.
The story seems to comment that one-sided friendships aren't necessarily negative. Trevor's friendship lemon is reminiscent of how a child takes comfort from a blanket or stuffed animal. It's a touchstone that keeps Trevor from retreating out of fear of "the vast frightening world stretched out before him." Perhaps, the story is saying that support and encouragement takes all forms, and the source isn't as important as what a person takes from it.
Then one fateful day a fierce thunderstorm shakes the tree and knocks the lemon out of the nest. The lemon rolls away and is lost. Trevor is beside himself with grief. Settling himself down to cry behind the sunflower that had grown from the seed he dropped on the day he first met the lemon, Trevor finds himself surrounded by other birds. Together they share the sunflower seeds, and Trevor is no longer friendless and alone. He migrates south with his new friends, reflecting upon his friendship with the lemon. The story ends with a toad discovering the lemon whose browning peel resembles the toad's skin, suggesting that he, too, will find it a meaningful friend.
Children will see this as a silly story in which a bird befriends a lemon without ever realizing that it is a lemon, but there's something deeper at work as well. There is an obvious moral here, but it is somewhat difficult to tease out.
Trevor has a safe but boring life. He could open his cage any time he wanted to and fly away, but "Trevor stayed -- for the seeds." So, like many people, he remains in an unsatisfactory situation for the money, security, and/or the health insurance. His life is boring and lonely, but he's afraid to take risks, and he consoles himself with a single creature comfort -- his favorite type of seed. This could be interpreted as a hobby or favorite television program or even as something less innocent like smoking.
Then Trevor sees the lemon, and everything changes. It's the catalyst that gives him the courage to act. Because the lemon is an inanimate object, he reads into it everything he needs, which means the source of Trevor's fortitude was inner strength all along. This seems to say that one already has what one needs inside him/herself. The only thing someone needs is inducement to act.
The story seems to comment that one-sided friendships aren't necessarily negative. Trevor's friendship lemon is reminiscent of how a child takes comfort from a blanket or stuffed animal. It's a touchstone that keeps Trevor from retreating out of fear of "the vast frightening world stretched out before him." Perhaps, the story is saying that support and encouragement takes all forms, and the source isn't as important as what a person takes from it.
February 6, 2019
Trevor by Jim Averbeck, illustrated by Amy Hevron. PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. $18. 9781250148285.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Trevor is a lonely canary until he makes friends with a lemon on the tree outside his window. Eventually Trevor moves out of his cage into the great outdoors, and the lemon is his only friend. Together they sing duets (Trevor sings the notes, the lemon sings the silences) and keep each other company. When a crazy wind knocks the lemon from their shared nest one day, Trevor is devastated until he meets some new friends and realizes the lemon helped prepare him for this very moment.
This is such an endearing little story and one my kindergartner has quickly declared a favorite. The sweet message of friendship is relatable to nearly everyone and the simple illustrations are lovely. This is the sort of book I'll be sharing with multiple friends and one I think adults will especially love to share with their young readers.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Trevor is a lonely canary until he makes friends with a lemon on the tree outside his window. Eventually Trevor moves out of his cage into the great outdoors, and the lemon is his only friend. Together they sing duets (Trevor sings the notes, the lemon sings the silences) and keep each other company. When a crazy wind knocks the lemon from their shared nest one day, Trevor is devastated until he meets some new friends and realizes the lemon helped prepare him for this very moment.
This is such an endearing little story and one my kindergartner has quickly declared a favorite. The sweet message of friendship is relatable to nearly everyone and the simple illustrations are lovely. This is the sort of book I'll be sharing with multiple friends and one I think adults will especially love to share with their young readers.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 24, 2023
When you are lonely, anyone can seem like pretty promising friend material. So, when the isolated but kind Trevor decides the lemon on the tree outside is another canary, he boldly chooses to spring himself free of his cage and into action.
Sure, his new friend is a little on the shy and quiet side...but that doesn't stop this bighearted little bird from sharing his food, his song, his home, and his heart.
The charming story has so many layers--and such wonderful art--that it can be hard to choose one aspect to focus on. However, I think it's the sweet and clever humor that knocks this out of the park for me.
There's one scene, in particular, where the always-endearing Trevor gifts his lemon friend his coveted stripy (sunflower) seed and oh-so-casually-but-not-really mentions, "I like presents, too," that floors me every time.
Later in the book, Trevor and his friend also perform a duet--but I won't spoil it by telling you how.
This book is a delight of a story that shows that meaningful and life-altering friendships can spring from anywhere.
Sure, his new friend is a little on the shy and quiet side...but that doesn't stop this bighearted little bird from sharing his food, his song, his home, and his heart.
The charming story has so many layers--and such wonderful art--that it can be hard to choose one aspect to focus on. However, I think it's the sweet and clever humor that knocks this out of the park for me.
There's one scene, in particular, where the always-endearing Trevor gifts his lemon friend his coveted stripy (sunflower) seed and oh-so-casually-but-not-really mentions, "I like presents, too," that floors me every time.
Later in the book, Trevor and his friend also perform a duet--but I won't spoil it by telling you how.
This book is a delight of a story that shows that meaningful and life-altering friendships can spring from anywhere.
May 11, 2019
Illustrations created with acrylic paint and digitally collaged accompany a sweet story about a most unlikely friendship. Trevor is a caged canary who longs for friendship. When a lemon in a nearby tree catches his eye but never responds to his offers of friendship, Trevor leaves his cage in order to get closer to this possible friend. Naturally, the lemon has nothing to say and seemingly rebuffs him with its silence. But Trevor stays with his friend, deciding to forgive him. After a storm causes the lemon and several seeds to fall to the ground, Trevor is bereft. Still, he manages to make some new bird friends when others come by to gather up the seeds. The last page of this picture book really got to me since it just might have described the perfect friend--one "who gave him everything, and asked for nothing at all" (unpaged). While this might not have been the best relationship in the world since it only went one way, perhaps it is in some respects a good model for a friendship.
September 25, 2018
The artwork in this book is amazing, let me tell you. I'm going to have to reread it multiple times just to see what I can see. The story is kind, silly, sad, sweet, and surprisingly moving, and the lemon reminded me a great deal of the volleyball Wilson from "Castaway", who I hope sailed on to create another deep meaningful friendship like the lemon seems to have done on the last page of this story. Singing the silences, indeed.
October 6, 2018
Trevor’s willingness to be kind even to this strange, silent, unmoving other “bird” yields fruit. And seeds.
The story grew on me a bit. I’ll admit I found it rather silly on the first go—“Trevor, that’s not a...oh, never mind.” But the world is full of sunny souls like Trevor, who more often than not are never rewarded for their kindness; it was satisfying to see his little world become a friendlier place.
The story grew on me a bit. I’ll admit I found it rather silly on the first go—“Trevor, that’s not a...oh, never mind.” But the world is full of sunny souls like Trevor, who more often than not are never rewarded for their kindness; it was satisfying to see his little world become a friendlier place.
October 29, 2018
Trevor is a lonely yellow canary looking for a friend.
He stretches his wings the width of his boring cage and notices the tree outside stretching its branch. And on the end of that branch? Another canary! But he’s so shy and quiet.
Trevor knows just how to make him feel comfortable.
This is an elegantly told, truly unique tale of a canary who befriends a lemon and finds that you don’t have to be two of a kind to form a meaningful and lasting friendship.
He stretches his wings the width of his boring cage and notices the tree outside stretching its branch. And on the end of that branch? Another canary! But he’s so shy and quiet.
Trevor knows just how to make him feel comfortable.
This is an elegantly told, truly unique tale of a canary who befriends a lemon and finds that you don’t have to be two of a kind to form a meaningful and lasting friendship.
December 13, 2018
Lonely songbird befriends a lemon and spends Summer and Fall in a nest with it. When an Autumn storm blows the lemon from the nest he discovers other birds waiting to be his friends. This is a gentle touching story of overcoming fears of the unknown. The illustrations are done in acrylic on wood – the grain of the wood shows subtly through and creates a textured background evocative of the trees in which the story is set.
April 18, 2023
Three things immediately caught my eyes: the acrylic paint on wood, the use of colors, and the use of space. A very pleasant book to read and admire! Concerning the narration, I liked it, but somehow I felt like something was missing. I still don't know what. Humor maybe? I still think it is a beautiful book, full of candor, about a shy canary who learns how to make friends. A book that teaches kids to explore outside of their comfort zone.
Read and reviewed: 2018-10-18
Read and reviewed: 2018-10-18
June 30, 2023
Not every day does one encounter a picture book about a canary who befriends a lemon.
It's a fascinating relationship, in that Jim Averbeck portrays the relationship as pure fantasy -- or projection -- from the side of the canary. While nothing (of course) comes from the canary side of the "friendship."
As for the ending, I'm relieved to say, that's happy.
FIVE STARS to author Jim and also to illustrator Amy Hevron.
It's a fascinating relationship, in that Jim Averbeck portrays the relationship as pure fantasy -- or projection -- from the side of the canary. While nothing (of course) comes from the canary side of the "friendship."
As for the ending, I'm relieved to say, that's happy.
FIVE STARS to author Jim and also to illustrator Amy Hevron.
September 11, 2025
I know a few people who could benefit by having a lemon friend as a bridge to actual friends. I loved the message of this book, loneliness is surmountable even if your friend is inanimate to begin with. Amy's beautiful illustrations gave the excellent prose an added sweetness. This is an excellent book for adults and kids, there are not a lot of picture books addressing loneliness, a relevant topic in our society today.
August 4, 2018
Trevor the canary is lonely in his cage. He frees himself when he sees another canary outside the window. Unfortunately, he sees a lemon but he accepts the silence and builds a nest for both of them. He brought the lemon a precious gift - his special seed. It falls to the ground and grows a beautiful sunflower. The canary finds other birds when he shares the seeds from the flower.
August 7, 2018
This is the saddest book.
There's a happy ending, bittersweet as it is.
For younger (or older for that matter) readers who need books to connect with their emotions on grief, loneliness, and making friends.
Good artist renditions make this book look classical while using vibrant colors for interest.
There's a happy ending, bittersweet as it is.
For younger (or older for that matter) readers who need books to connect with their emotions on grief, loneliness, and making friends.
Good artist renditions make this book look classical while using vibrant colors for interest.
August 9, 2018
It was.... sweet. You can read tons of things into it, from "sometimes it's okay if you never talk to each other, you can still be friends" to "tragedies can lead to much better things" to "a scary breakup from a neglectful relationship can teach you what you actually want."
But also, it's just a nice story about a bird.
But also, it's just a nice story about a bird.
May 30, 2019
Lovely story about kindness, friendship, perspective and venturing out of your comfort zone. The story seems simple but can be interpreted on so many levels. Like Trevor, who (mis)takes a lemon for another canary, this book can also be what you bring to it. Very well written by Jim Averbeck and lovely, bright and simple illustrations by Amy Hevron.
August 29, 2018
This is a classic. It's so simply that it looks simple, but it's not. It have the feeling of classic fable, because it works on many different levels. a lovely story with very kid-friendly art. a must-read for any picture book fan.
August 31, 2018
I may have teared up a bit reading this one. Trevor is a bird who finds what he thinks is another bird but in reality, it is a lemon. A BEAUTIFUL lesson on friendship and loneliness but bring the tissues.
September 9, 2018
Touching and Tweet - The emotional depths of an unlikely friendship between a canary and a lemon will surprise and delight you in this poignant, beautifully illustrated book. Jim Averbeck masterfully conveys a tale that will resonate.
October 13, 2018
This book was really cute! It would be an excellent addition to a classroom to teach about friendship and the value that friendship adds to one's life. Although Trevor thought one door was closing, another door opened and brightened his life once again. He learned a valuable lesson.
November 11, 2018
Delightful story about friendship. Trevor the canary is terribly lonely but he loves to sing. One day, the tree outside his window stretches a branch toward the sun and reveals a plump yellow surprise. Trevor leaves the safety of his cage to investigate. "Chur weee chiddle chiddle."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews