User:Jekp2002/CAPE

Lead
Cape is a children's literature book written by Kevin Johnson and illustrated by Kitt Thomas; it was published in 2023 by Roaring Brook Press. The book tells the emotional story of child who navigates grief and loss after the death of his father. The author, Kevin Johnson, studied screenwriting and filmmaking, and the illustrator, Kitt Thomas, is the illustrator of #1 New York Times bestseller Stacey's Extraordinary Words.

Plot Summary
Cape opens with a poignant scene of a young boy preparing for his father's funeral. Amidst the sorrowful setting, the child meticulously readies himself, ensuring his appearance is appropriate, yet notably securing his red cape, stating it's for potential remembrance. At the funeral, the boy embraced by his auntie for solace, expresses uncertainty about recollection. Transitioning to the cemetery, the boy's tears dampen his cape despite the absence of rain. As attendees gather at the family house, the boy, avoiding the crowd's emotional exchanges, attempts to shield himself from their sentiments, using the cape to muffle the painful memories. Employing imagination, he mentally transports the memories away, but they resurface vividly, recalling his father's laughter, love, ad their shared joy. Overwhelmed, he seeks solace with his sleeping auntie, symbolically draping the cape over her, reminiscent of his father's gesture. In a touching moment, he promises never to forget, embracing his auntie as memories of his father flood his heart.

Grief
The narrative within the story navigates the intricacies of grief and the relationship between the young protagonist and the deceased father figure while maintaining an ambiguous depiction of the relationship. This narrative approach aims to encourage readers to project their personal experiences of loss onto the story, fostering a universal and relatable connection. Cape presents grief as a non-linear and evolving journey, depicted through the protagonist's transformation from avoidance to eventual acceptance. The storyline illustrates the protagonist's initial attempts to disregard memories of the father figure, followed by a realization of their significance in the healing process. This transition enables the protagonist to convert grief from anguish to a source of hope and solace, extending comfort to others within the narrative.

Escapism
The story portrays a young protagonist navigating the grieving process following the loss of a loved one, using a bright-red cape as a transformative symbol. The cape serves as a conduit for the protagonist's journey, drawing parallels to the world of comics and childhood escapism. In the story, the little boy used the cape to fly into the stars and dive to the ocean floor in order to avoid the pain and reality of the situation.