Wednesday Picture Book Review: The Funeral by Matt James

Publication Date: 3 Apr. 2018

From the Publisher:

Norma and her parents are going to her great-uncle Frank’s funeral, and Norma is more excited than sad. She is looking forward to playing with her favorite cousin, Ray, but when she arrives at the church, she is confronted with rituals and ideas that have never occurred to her before. While not all questions can be answered, when the day is over Norma is certain of one thing — Uncle Frank would have enjoyed his funeral.

This sensitive and life-affirming story will lead young readers to ask their own questions about life, death and how we remember those who have gone before us.

My Thoughts:

Such an unusual concept: a Fun-eral (get it? it's fun). I was surprised by the unique concept when I saw this picture book at ALA, and picked up a copy.

Great illustrations, and the text was just right. This book shows the remarkable perspective kids have on a day, and how we could all stand to be a little more child-like in our perspective.

One of those books that becomes part of your permanent collection of picture books.

Happy 2018!

Happy 2018, everyone! I hope it’s a great year for you…

I’m making plans for 2018 (I like plans better than resolutions, which always seem a little vague), with equal parts writing and reading in the comfort of my office, as well as getting out into the world. I try not to be a hermit.

Here are my goals; share yours if you’re willing in the comments…

Writing

I’m working on a MG mystery, very fun and super structured in a mystery way, if that makes sense. A true whodunit for kids. It’s fun so far; I plan to spend January and probably part of February on the first draft. Kind of like a NaNoWriMo, only in January, which makes more sense anyway. January is cold and dull otherwise. 

Reading

I made myself set a reading goal, fifty-two books, which is one a week. Totally doable, I say. I read from picture books to mysteries for adults; I’ll post more reviews here too, as I read.

Out in the Wild World

I'm traveling this year, mostly around Colorado, but here’s the breakdown for now:

Feb. 7-10, 2018: Colorado Council International Reading Association Conference, Author visits 101 presentation

​Feb. 10, 2018: ALA Midwinter 2018, Meet the Author at SinC booth 649, 9-11 a.m. 

​Mar. 3, 2018: Colorado Book Festival, Denver Public Library 

​Mar. 17, 2018: Denver Children's Festival of Stories, hosted by Second Star to the Right Bookstore, Denver, CO

Jun. 5, 2018: nErDcampKS, Heston, KS

Mystery TV

Okay, so it’s time for me to do more writing and reading, and less binge-watching. But I did get caught up on season two of The Travelers—love this science fiction series! It’s on Netflix… And of course, there’s Broadchurch. Still awesome as ever. 

That’s it for me. Oh, and I want to take more photographs and learn to play the banjo. I’m aiming high this year. 

How about you?