Clover
Clover
In a beautiful clearing, nestled among mountains and forests, lived Clover.
The child was the youngest member of a big family that lived on a small farm.
It was home to almost as many goats as Clover had brothers and sisters.
That morning, the sky was clear and the house was bustling.
Clover is having trouble making a decision. Some of her siblings are off to pick blueberries while others are foraging for mussels and mushrooms. Because Clover likes doing all of these activities, she’s uncertain which one to choose. Her brother counsels her not to “let others decide for you.” Ultimately, Clover joins her brothers and sisters at the river, but she is soon distracted by a white goat named Peony who has escaped from the farm and is travelling deep into the forest alone. Determined to retrieve Peony, Clover sets off into the forest but is soon faced by a series of decisions that have her questioning what to do. She asks nature for help, turning to the oak trees, streams, and wind for guidance. While the forest doesn’t give her answers, Clover takes courage in its calming presence and learns that “listening when our heart speaks will always lead us where we need to go.”
This gentle story set in a lush pastoral landscape traces Clover’s journey towards trusting her instincts and building confidence. Qin Leng’s ink and watercolour illustrations capture the soothing and multi-layered presence of the forest, highlighting the natural beauty that can be appreciated in quiet moments.
Clover is a heartwarming story about leaning into yourself and following your heart.
Chloe Humphreys works as a Youth Services Librarian at Surrey Libraries in beautiful British Columbia.