Title : The Funeral, written and illustrated by Matt James. Groundwood. 2018. $18.95 ages 5 and up
link : The Funeral, written and illustrated by Matt James. Groundwood. 2018. $18.95 ages 5 and up
The Funeral, written and illustrated by Matt James. Groundwood. 2018. $18.95 ages 5 and up
her sad face in the mirror
in her parents' room. Though
she was, in fact, pretty
happy.
It was a day off from
school, and she would
be spending it with her
cousin Ray. Her
FAVOURITE cousin."
This is the first book that Matt James has both written and illustrated. I certainly hope it will not be his last. I am sure you have been to a family funeral with your children, and have wondered how it is affecting them. This is a very realistic portrayal of the few attended by my children when they were young.
A death in the family are sad. There is no other word for it. We meet Norma a few days after a phone call reports the death of her mother's great uncle. Norma will not be in school today. She will attend Great-Uncle Frank's memorial service with her family. Norma is aware of funeral protocol, and is practicing her sad face. She knows she should be sad but, in truth, she is looking forward to seeing her cousin, Ray. He is her FAVORITE!
All of this is real for many young children. They have little capability to grasp the same meaning for death as happens with adults, especially when their experiences are few. Norma sees the fun in funeral, as Matt James so aptly points out on the cover. She and Ray hope to have a chance to play at the church while their parents visit following the service.
The service is presented with candor, and with its many elements - being in church, the back and forth between cousins before the long service begins, the unfamiliar sights and smells, the organist and the music, the refreshments in the church annex, the memorial photographs from Uncle Frank's life. Both children reflect on his life and Ray quietly asks, "Is Uncle Frank still a person?" Then, the two are released to the churchyard for time together - the fun part for them.
Matt James uses mixed-media to create his impressive and expressive artwork. There are many poignant moments of both sadness and joy, reflected in a wide diversity of composition and perspective. I have read it numerous times, and find something new in the art every single time. Detailed and lovely, it is testament to Mr. James' great talent. Readers can see that Norma understands the solemnity of the service, while also exhibiting her own lively nature. Once she and Ray have the opportunity to be alone on their own, they do have a great time. Those images are filled with color, joy and exploration. I think he presents a perfect portrayal of a funeral from a child's perspective and the varying reactions of all those in attendance.
"I think Uncle Frank would have liked his funeral."
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