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Always Remember | May 3, 2017

By Cece Meng; illustrated by Jago (Penguin Young Readers / Philomel Books, February 2016)

A gentle yet poignant picture book, Always Remember offers young readers a heartfelt look into death and remembrance. Old Turtle—a sea turtle, a species known for its long lifespan—has passed away. And as the gentle waves carry Old Turtle away, other sea animals remember the times they shared with him. The young turtles remember how Old Turtle taught them to swim; the humpback whale remembers how Old Turtle kept her company when she was separated from her pod; the sea otters remember the fun they had playing with Old Turtle; and more. A poetic refrain echoes throughout, reminding readers that the animals will always remember Old Turtle, reinforcing the theme of remembrance and giving the book an appropriately somber—yet hopeful—tone. 

But what is perhaps most interesting about the book is its structure. The book begins at the end of Old Turtle’s life; in fact, the book begins, “In the end . . .” By the book’s end, we have come full circle, with Old Turtle setting off on his new adventure as the ocean carries him away. The book’s circular narrative suits the circle-of-life theme well, and gives younger readers a more hopeful view on death and dying—that even though death is sad, it is also a time of reflection and new hope.

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