A Review of When My Baba Died

Of all of the topics we discuss with our children, the concept of death has to be one of the most difficult.  How do you explain to a preschooler that their grandparent has died?

That was the problem that Marjorie Kunch faced, and so she searched for a picture book to help.  However, she couldn’t find an Orthodox children’s book that explained death, an Orthodox funeral, and burial.  So, she decided to write one herself.

Kunch is uniquely qualified to write this book, as she is a certified mortician and funeral director.  She is also an Orthodox Christian and mother.  Her book, “When My Baba Died,” brings all of her experiences and talents together in a gentle, approachable way.

“When My Baba Died” walks a child through the entire process of a funeral–from learning of someone’s death to the visitation, from the church service to the burial.  I actually have never attended an Orthodox funeral and learned a lot from this book.  I didn’t know that a priest anoints the head of the departed with oil in remembrance of their baptism and chrismation.

I really enjoyed several things about the book:

1. The Topic

“When My Baba Died” fills a real need in Orthodox children’s literature.  All children will eventually be faced with the death of a loved one, and Kunch’s book will help them understand death and the funeral process.

2. The Illustrations

My children love looking at real photographs of real children.  There is something so appealing about seeing the faces of other children that can draw my little ones into a book.  I appreciated the photographs in “When My Baba Died” that showed the family, a priest, and all parts of the service.  It helped make an often intangible topic seem very real.

3. Distinctively Orthodox

This is not a general, spiritual interpretation and explanation of death and the ceremonies surrounding it.  “When My Baba Died” using Orthodox theology, liturgy, and tradition to help children.  And, as I learned, it can also help many adults prepare for an Orthodox funeral.

There were just a couple of things that I have reservations about:

1. The Length

It is a bit on the long side for younger readers.  My preschool-aged children might have trouble sitting through the whole book.  However, early elementary school children should be able to follow along easily.

2. Ethnic Nature

Kunch and her family belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church.  There are a few phrases used and traditions described that may be distinctive of that expression of Orthodoxy.  For example, all of the pictures show women in head scarves, which most Greek, Antiochian, etc. Churches do not use.  Also, there is only a very brief mention of koliva (a boiled wheat dish that has great symbolism surrounding death and memorials) with no real explanation, even though it is quite important in some traditions.  This is not a big deal, but it may raise other questions from the children.

Overall, I am very excited that “When My Baba Died” is being released this week.  It fills a real need in Orthodox children’s literature and will help countless children prepare for and understand death and funerals.

If you would like more information on the book, check out Pascha Press website.  If you live within five hours of Chicago, you can also schedule a visit and book signing with Marjorie Kunch.

What are your favorite Orthodox children’s books?

(I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.  All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)