Once Upon A Tomb: gravely humorous verses

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2006. Once Upon A Tomb: gravely humorous verses. Ill. Simon Bartram. Cambridge: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763618373

Mostly humorous, but sometimes cautionary, J. Patrick Lewis treats his readers to poetic humor about death.

Lewis‘ rhymes take the forms of elegies, epitaphs and eulogies for the dearly departed from twenty-two various professions. From a gardener to a book editor, tattoo artist to poet, the quippy lines have the reader chuckling about death.

Though each has its own rhythm and meter, all are easy and fun to read aloud. Some of the poems include a great deal of imagery (“Soccer Player”), while others, if not most, focus primarily on the characteristics of the deceased (“Cafeteria Lady”).

As a result, these poems are far from morbid, and somehow achieve, for the most part, the rare balance between humor and reverence in dealing with the subject of death.

This is balance is not disrupted by the detailed drawings that accompany each poem. Bartram’s artwork easily and thoroughly interprets the poems in whimsical, sad, and ironic ways.

The subject matter may not be the preferred flavor for every reader, but, overall, the book is presented tastefully and in a way that does not offend.

"This rare look at the lighter side of death should elicit plenty of surprised giggles from young audiences." (Booklist/August 2006)

"A great selection for a Halloween read-aloud or reluctant poetry readers." (School Library Journal/August 2006)