Farewell Anahera

A death in the family, whether it's a close family member, extended family or a pet is hard for young people to understand. Books like 'Farewell Anahera' help children process that someone/something has passed on.

 

Vanessa has approached this delicate subject with tenderness. The language is lilting, rhythmic, and descriptive with the use of alliteration and repetition to good effect.

 

Out of the warm soft mist came a fine silvery thread of song.

It nudged and pulled at Anahera.

Strong and clear, it called to her.

Farewell precious one, farewell.

 

Then the refrain is repeated in te reo.

Anahera wakes from a deep, dreamless sleep - 'she was there, but not there at the same time'.

Pictures and text give hints to the young readers/listeners that perhaps Anahera has died.

 Children might pick up on the second reading that Anahera might be a grandmother or ageless.

Vanessa weaves in traditional tangi practices like a kuia calling and singing, the men performing a haka, and young and old sharing life breath...

 

At the back of the book Vanessa has included an author's note about Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) - where the spirits leave New Zealand.

It's a beautiful story for young and old. For whanau to share with young ones when someone dies so they understand what will happen at a tangi and for other cultures to learn and respect the tangi tradition.