1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2006. ONCE UPON A TOMB: GRAVELY HUMOROUS VERSES. Ill. by Simon Bartram. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 100763618373
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Epitaphs - we’ve all seen some interesting ones. This picture book volume of poetry includes epitaphs for professions of all kinds, from the dairy farmer to the teacher, the fortune teller to the gardener, the mailman, and many others. Need ideas for what to put on the tombstone of a loved one? This group of 22 hilarious poems may provide just the answer.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
While this book is advertised as being for children ages 6-10, this collection of poems seems suited for the older reader, which makes this volume perfect for middle school and high school students. Lewis uses vocabulary and puns which may fly over the heads of the younger reader but will delight the more experienced reader. “Here lies” on the tomb of a fortune teller, for example. Or how about the mailman who was “Returned to Sender.” Older children will enjoy figuring out the meanings of some of the verses so they can understand the humor behind them. Most of the poems rhyme in a-b-a-b or a-a-b-b fashion. While most are rhythmic and read aloud easily, one or two are difficult to read as the rhythm is sacrificed for the sake of the rhyme. But otherwise, the poems roll easily off the tongue.
The vividly colorful illustrations by Simon Bartram have a cartoon-like quality that adds to the humorous mood and in some cases clarifies the meanings of the poems they accompany. What an interesting thought that a pizza delivery guy would take a pie to the food critic in his grave. The vine, reminiscent of Jack in the Beanstalk, that takes the gardener to heaven is another fun visual. The acrylic paintings are very bright and fanciful. Even the front and back endpapers with rows of gray tombstones against a navy blue background with a sprinkling of red flowers adds to the fun.
This would not be a book for those easily offended by verse that may seem to be disrespectful of the recently departed, but most will find it laugh-out-loud fun.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Publishers Weekly: “Meticulously rendered, Bertram's paintings toy with traditional icons of death. The fortune teller gazes glumly at a tiny Grim Reaper in her crystal ball, while the actual unwelcome visitor himself looms behind the clairvoyant.”
*School Library Journal: “Bartram's surrealistic acrylic illustrations heighten the humor and, in some cases, clarify the meaning of Lewis's ubiquitous puns. A great selection for a Halloween read-aloud or reluctant poetry readers.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Pair this book with research on actual epitaphs that are found on real grave markers. Students may be surprised to find that there are humorous verses on the tombstones of real people.
*Children might want to try their hand at creating humorous epitaphs for historical figures.
*What would you want your tombstone to say? Children can write their own epitaphs. (This one could be a bit touchy. Feel this assignment out carefully before requiring students to create their own tombstones. Perhaps this could be one option among several where students think about their goals and what they want to be remembered for.)
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2006. ONCE UPON A TOMB: GRAVELY HUMOROUS VERSES. Ill. by Simon Bartram. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 100763618373
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Epitaphs - we’ve all seen some interesting ones. This picture book volume of poetry includes epitaphs for professions of all kinds, from the dairy farmer to the teacher, the fortune teller to the gardener, the mailman, and many others. Need ideas for what to put on the tombstone of a loved one? This group of 22 hilarious poems may provide just the answer.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
While this book is advertised as being for children ages 6-10, this collection of poems seems suited for the older reader, which makes this volume perfect for middle school and high school students. Lewis uses vocabulary and puns which may fly over the heads of the younger reader but will delight the more experienced reader. “Here lies” on the tomb of a fortune teller, for example. Or how about the mailman who was “Returned to Sender.” Older children will enjoy figuring out the meanings of some of the verses so they can understand the humor behind them. Most of the poems rhyme in a-b-a-b or a-a-b-b fashion. While most are rhythmic and read aloud easily, one or two are difficult to read as the rhythm is sacrificed for the sake of the rhyme. But otherwise, the poems roll easily off the tongue.
The vividly colorful illustrations by Simon Bartram have a cartoon-like quality that adds to the humorous mood and in some cases clarifies the meanings of the poems they accompany. What an interesting thought that a pizza delivery guy would take a pie to the food critic in his grave. The vine, reminiscent of Jack in the Beanstalk, that takes the gardener to heaven is another fun visual. The acrylic paintings are very bright and fanciful. Even the front and back endpapers with rows of gray tombstones against a navy blue background with a sprinkling of red flowers adds to the fun.
This would not be a book for those easily offended by verse that may seem to be disrespectful of the recently departed, but most will find it laugh-out-loud fun.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Publishers Weekly: “Meticulously rendered, Bertram's paintings toy with traditional icons of death. The fortune teller gazes glumly at a tiny Grim Reaper in her crystal ball, while the actual unwelcome visitor himself looms behind the clairvoyant.”
*School Library Journal: “Bartram's surrealistic acrylic illustrations heighten the humor and, in some cases, clarify the meaning of Lewis's ubiquitous puns. A great selection for a Halloween read-aloud or reluctant poetry readers.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Pair this book with research on actual epitaphs that are found on real grave markers. Students may be surprised to find that there are humorous verses on the tombstones of real people.
*Children might want to try their hand at creating humorous epitaphs for historical figures.
*What would you want your tombstone to say? Children can write their own epitaphs. (This one could be a bit touchy. Feel this assignment out carefully before requiring students to create their own tombstones. Perhaps this could be one option among several where students think about their goals and what they want to be remembered for.)
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