No Matter What

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I love this book, it has a great story line and a lovely moral for children! I would definitely use this book in a KS1 classroom linking strongly with PSHE looking into families and acceptance. Discussions in circle time could be used where we throw a football around student to student where each child says something that the love about themselves. Looking at how we all have different qualities.

Picture books that are reassuring can help soothe a child, help them know that they are loved–or should be loved. I think they can have great benefit. No Matter What by Debi Gliori is one of those books. Small has all sorts of questions about love, and his mummy must reassure him that her love will never, ever run out – no matter what. Tl;dr - This book is very lauded. I thought it was pretty good, especially the little touches Gliori makes on the illustrations. However, for grief books I'd look elsewhere. This non-religious funeral reading poetically describes the scattering of someone’s ashes, and how this helps you become a part of everything around you. It’s a comforting reminder that you’re never really gone when you pass away. “Now I have lost you, I must scatter All of you on the air henceforth; Not that to me it can ever matter Buy it’s only fair to the rest of the earth. Now especially, when it is winter And the sun’s not half so bright as he was, Who wouldn’t be glad to find a splinter That once was you in the frozen grass? Snowflakes, too, will be softer feathered, Clouds, perhaps, will be whiter plumed; Rain, whose brilliance you caught and gathered, Purer silver have reassumed. Farewell, sweet dust; I never was a miser: Once, for a minute, I made you mine: Now you are gone, I am none the wiser But the leaves of the willow are as bright as wine.” Death is Nothing at All - Henry Scott-Holland

The little fox in this book starts out feeling grumpy when her/his parent is on the phone, ignoring her/him, and this sets the stage for the little fox to ask for reassurance and to find out that she/he will be loved, no matter what. Gliori’s (The Snow Lambs, Pure Dead Magic) rhyming text is sweet and reassuring; the parent fox always has a loving, reassuring answer to give the child. The first two examples are easy to see why a child might feel they need reassurance that they’ll still be loved–feeling awful and/or acting out when feeling grumpy or angry (grim and grumpy, and grumpy and grizzly bear). The next two examples were not as immediately clear to me, and didn’t feel as strongly written. After some thought, I realized that “squishy bug” and the child worrying if they’ll still get a hug might mean if the child was feeling unlovable–but I wish that connection were stronger. Still, a child needing reassurance that they will still be loved is a universal need. Joyce Grenfell was a British actress and satirical writer who became well known for her wry humour. This poem is often used as a funeral verse because of its sense of fun and positivity. Often considered an ideal non-religious funeral poem for mum, this reading focuses on a sense of gratitude for all that your loved one has left behind. Can be edited to read “He is gone” to create a funeral poem for Dad or a male loved-one. You can shed tears that she is gone Bombs Away!" he yelled, swooping low over StregaSchloss. He saw little figures on the ground fleeing from the large green projectile that was speeding their way. "And a direct hit, if I'm not mistaken," he observed to himself. With a tremendous slapping sound, Ffup's digestive overload landed on a human target. There was a scream, a ghastly choking sound, and then silence.”

No Matter What is a children’s story book which teaches children about love and loss. It would make a lovely reading for the funeral of a mum or dad who has left young children behind. Small said: “But what about when you’re dead and gone? Would you love me then? Does love go on?” Large and Small are completely genderless. This makes the story fit with any kind of parent/child or grandparent/child or relative/child or grown-up/child pairing you might have upon reading it. Even though Debi Gliori’s picture book was made to comfort children with its message, it certainly extends to anyone who’s experienced loss. It’s a reminder that even when you’ve lost a loved one, you’re still surrounded by their love. Small said, “But what about when we are dead and gone, will you love me then, does love go on?”…Large (replied) “Look at the stars, how they shine and glow, some of the stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies, for you see…love like starlight never dies…” Bilbo’s Last Song (At the Grey Havens) - JRR TolkienThis funeral poem focuses on scattering a loved one's ashes, making it ideal for use at a cremation, when scattering the ashes or at another non-religious ceremony. Now I have lost you, I must scatter This poem was read out at Princess Diana’s funeral and it’s not hard to see why. The narrator tells its listeners not to mourn for too long. It’s better to continue the good work that the person started in life as a source of comfort instead. “If I should die and leave you here a while, be not like others sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep. For my sake – turn again to life and smile, nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine and I, perchance may therein comfort you.” Farewell, Sweet Dust - Elinor Wylie Finding the words to say goodbye to a loved one when they pass away can be difficult. With non-religious and Humanist funerals becoming more and more popular, many people turn to the internet and books to find the perfect non-religious reading. We see now that a crocodile has taken Small's place in the bathtub. Large extends a hand, holding out Small's toothbrush and toothpaste.

A powerful funeral poem for those dealing with grief. The poem focuses on the belief that our loved ones are all around us, with no religious messaging or undertones. Do not stand at my grave and weep It explains the worries of a young fox having his family fall out of love with him. However his Mother explains to him that no matter what animal he turns into he will still be loved. He also questions how long love lasts for and although his Mum explains that she can't quite answer that she uses a lovely metaphor to explain that love is ever lasting. This short funeral verse is an uplifting poem about celebrating life and remembering someone who has made a positive impact on those around them. It is a really nice story for EYFS / KS1. It has lovely rhyming language throughout which would help develop children's speech from an early age. It would be great in a Circle time session talking about the importance of love in a family and that they will love you no matter what.This funeral poem sets out to remind mourners that death does not have to be the end. What though the radiance which was once so bright~ This poem is an excellent choice for the funeral of someone with a sense of humour. It’s the narrator’s light-hearted request for their choice of funeral music because they’d “be happier to see those present have some relief.”“I’ve taken in recent years to thinking about my funeral and have decided to make one paramount request: play jolly music at that ritual. What good does it do to heap on dirges or other mournful melodies? I won’t be there to be gratified by the grieving and if I could tune in I’d be happier to see those present have some relief.” Read the entire poem here. Eulogy from a Physicist - Aaron Freeman I would recommend this book for use within a Reception or KS1 classroom as it would be a great tool to help vulnerable children who may be suffering with anxiety to feel more calm and secure in their environment and within themselves. It may also be great just to remind children of how important they are. I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Knyga jai kelia šiltas ir geras emocijas, tad savaime suprantama, kad knygą vertinu labai gerai. Patikinimas, kad tėtis mylės visada, pasakomas šios knygos pagalba, yra labai veiksmingas. Ir tą matau iš vakarinių apsikabinimų prieš miegą.

As the name suggests, this poem would be an ideal funeral reading for someone who had a sense of humour. The poem urges the funeral goers to dispense with traditional funeral verses and enjoy some music. Consider coupling this poem with some fitting funeral music. I’ve taken in recent years to thinking about my funeral There are so many reasons I love this book, but I have to say, the major reason is this: this book isn’t parent/caregiver/child specific. It’s about love. The characters are “Large” and “Small,” so this book could be about grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, two moms, two dads, etc. It’s just about feeling safe, loved, secure, and warm. Poetic Expressions is a proud supporter of Marie Curie whose Nurses provide free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses in their own homes"

A great book to help reassure anxious or insecure children that their parents love is unconditional and no matter what, they will always be loved and cared for.