Popi's All Souls Song

by C.K. Malone, Shelly Swann (Illustrator)

Overview

A gorgeously illustrated story about loss, community, and bringing comfort to others.

Every year on All Souls Day, Mara and her grandparents visit homes in their neighborhood to bring comfort and a song to those mourning the death of a loved one. But this year, Mara and Nene have lost Popi. As Nene leads Mara through their yearly ritual, Mara compares her own grief to that of each neighbor they visit. Then she catches sight of the frozen tears on Nene's face.

Setting aside the bitterness icing her heart to help her beloved grandmother, Mara rekindles Popi's song and brings her community together to honor him.

Popi's All Souls Song is a poignant, timeless story with luminous art, drawing readers into the realization that no person's loss or grief is bigger or more important than anyone else's. And when we bring comfort to others, we experience comfort ourselves.

Backmatter includes an author's note with a brief history of the All Souls Day holiday and traditions associated with the day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506487519
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

C.K. Malone is the author of A Costume for Charly, Popi's All Souls Song, and other books for children. They are a bigender award-winning educator and literature coach at the secondary level. When not grading essays or helping students, they're busy helping design culturally and LGBTQIA+ responsive units for the district and working as a climate and culture coach. C.K. also coaches and advises through alignment with the Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network. They continue this work in the literary world by advocating for all to be given the space to tell their own stories.

Shelly Swann is a Filipino American artist obsessed with color and finding magic in the mundane. Outside of her art studio, Shelly enjoys playing guitar and sharing her love of music with her family and friends. Shelly currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

Editorial Reviews

"A good book to have on hand in the library or classroom." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

06/01/2024

K-Gr 2—In this touching story, a young girl learns that she will be comforted by helping others. Losing a loved one is difficult. Many Christians commemorate those who have passed on All Souls Day, which falls on November 2. That is what Mara and her grandparents Popi and NeNe do. On that day, they walk from house to house and sing to neighbors who have lost loved ones. But this year is different because Mara's Popi passed away. It's difficult for Mara to comprehend, but her grandmother tells her Popi would want them to do this. They sing to neighbors who have lost people or pets. As Mara sees the tears and pain on NeNe's face, she understands how much her grandmother misses her husband and realizes that she can help her grandmother make it through this tough day. The illustrations start the story with a cold feeling, but by the end, they are a bit warmer and lighter. VERDICT A good book to have on hand in the library or classroom.—Barbara Spiri

School Library Journal