The Funeral by Matt James

today’s children storybook summary is

The Funeral

By Matt James

The takeaway: Through the eyes of a child, a funeral is not an ordinary day. There are many unfamiliar places, people's behavior is sober, and the whole day has an unexplained solemnity to it. But the best part of the day is when you get together with your family, thus making it comfortable and welcoming.

Storyline

Norma is not going to school today; instead, she’ll go to Uncle Frank’s funeral. It seems that she hasn’t been to a funeral before, and she doesn’t know what to expect, but she’s happy that she’ll see her favorite cousin, Ray.

Even if she’d practiced her sad face in the mirror, Norma could not help but be herself. On the way to the church, she plays with the car’s window, opening it and closing it until her dad stops it. The car they are driving has a little flag attached to it that says “Funeral.” But when she tries to read it, Norma just sees the first three letters: FUN. She can stop playing quietly at the church, attending the ceremony with sad adults surrounding her and her cousin Ray. Ray, who, by now, has been making numerous trips to the bathroom, asks her if the late Uncle Frank is still a person. They both look at the table where his pictures are displayed.  At last, they are allowed to go outside, much to their parents’ relief. Norma and Ray run out in the church’s backyard, where they play in the graveyard, by the river, and under the trees in blossom.

Soon, it is time to go home. Leaving the church, Norma sees a photo of Uncle Frank smiling. For her, that is a sign that Uncle Frank would have liked his funeral.

Characters

Norma, a school-age girl with black hair, wearing a blue dress; Ray, a younger boy about 4 or 5 years old; people; Uncle Frank, the deceased uncle.

Illustration

Matt James is also the illustrator of this book (in fact, I should have said that Matt James is also the writer; he is known mostly for his artwork). His depictions are vivid, the colors are bright, and the lines are refined. There is a strange luminosity that emerges on every page.

His technique, which is very complex, involves acrylic, with elements from paper, tape, and cardboard, all painted with acrylic.

The story is as much told in the illustrations as in the words of the book. Overall, it is a very compelling picture book.

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Theme: Death, loss

Recommended Age: 4 to 8

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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Things to Learn

Funeral:  a ceremony for paying respect and saying Goodbye to people who have died.

 

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