Review - The Cremation of Sam McGee

The Cremation of Sam McGee
by Robert W. Service
illustrated by Ted Harrison
Date: 1986
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: paperback
Source: library

In 1986 Kids Can Press published an edition of Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee" illustrated by painter Ted Harrison, who used his signature broad brushstrokes and unconventional choice of color to bring this gritty narrative poem to life. Evoking both the spare beauty and the mournful solitude of the Yukon landscape, Harrison's paintings proved the perfect match for Service's masterpiece about a doomed prospector adrift in a harsh land. Harrison's Illustrator's Notes on each page enhanced both poem and illustrations by adding valuable historical background. Upon its original publication, many recognized the book as an innovative approach to illustrating poetry for children. For years The Cremation of Sam McGee has stood out as a publishing landmark, losing none of its appeal both as a read-aloud and as a work of art. Kids Can Press proudly publishes this deluxe hardcover twentieth anniversary edition -- complete with a spot-varnished cover, new cover art and heavy coated stock -- of a book that remains as entrancing as a night sky alive with the vibrant glow of the Northern Lights.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Weirdest. Children's book. Ever.

Now, I can appreciate this for what it is. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a famous poem by Robert W. Service. It was released in the form of a picture book with bold accompanying illustrations. That, by itself, isn't so bad. What I don't understand is why it was published by a children's book publisher and marketed for that age group.

This is a book about death, cremation, and a body sizzling in a boiler. It has its moments, and it's actually kind of amusing... if you're an adult. This just doesn't work as a children's picture book. For one thing, each illustration has an explanatory caption (as if readers are too stupid to understand what they're seeing), which is kind of condescending. I think the publisher was trying to teach about life in the north at the same time, but it didn't really work. Also, some of the pictures and text aren't really appropriate for kids. One illustration shows the body in the fire, and the text talks about his friend stuffing the body in the boiler, and then the grin on the dead body's face as it's burning. Creepy enough for you? Wait, it gets better. The corpse starts to talk.

I admit, I enjoyed the poem. But I wouldn't give it to a child. Preteens and teens would get more out of this, but they'd probably be past the point of reading picture books. I shudder to think of the trauma this book might cause for some unsuspecting child who picks it up.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.29 out of 5