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PICTURE BOOKS
C. K., Malone

Popi's All Souls Song

32 pp. | Beaming | September, 2024 | Trade ISBN 9781506487519 $18.99
(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shelly Swann. According to an end note, “All Souls’ Day...is commemorated around the world...each year on November 2.” In this moving picture book, young Mara accompanies her grandmother (Nene) on their annual tradition of serenading their neighbors, for the first time since her beloved grandfather Popi’s recent death. Deep in grief, Mara at first minimizes others’ losses (deaths of pets; a death five years earlier) compared to her and Nene’s. Nene tells Mara that grief can’t be measured or ranked, but she becomes sadder with every house. Mara takes Nene home and heads back out to finish the task. Heartwarmingly, when she returns, the neighbors have gathered outside and are now serenading them. The illustrations, with echoes of Eastern European folk art, use a palette of grays and purples to reinforce the wintry setting and somber tone.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

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