Tavias Reise – Unterwegs in den Zeitlostraum (Chor- und Einzelstimmen, Heft)

1st edition 2018

Tavia is actually a completely normal octopus girl who chats with her best friend at school, argues with her brother Tavo every now and then and lives in the octopus caves with her mom and dad. However, Tavia’s life changes suddenly when she is diagnosed with the disease “Buntemia”, in which colorful bumps grow on her tentacles.

Tavia moves to the hospital with her mom so that Dr. Swordfish and the sick jellyfish can take care of her, but unfortunately the sun radiation therapy doesn’t work and it becomes increasingly clear that Tavia will die from her illness. But no one dares to tell her that. Dad always tries to be funny and Mom is all depressed and quiet, but she can’t ask anyone how dying works. So she decides to find the answer herself and secretly sets out on a journey through the ocean.

During this trip she enjoys having escaped the oppressive caves of the marine clinic. Even more exciting, however, are all the sea creatures she meets. She asks everyone what they know about dying. She gets very different answers: the ancient giant clam Tridacna is looking forward to becoming part of the sea again after death, while the glowing jellyfish only live in the here and now and don’t even think about dying. Luckily she also meets a new friend, the big manta ray, on whose back Tavia continues her journey because she is quite weak and needs to sleep a lot. He is also the one who tells her that death is actually just a kind of onward journey into the timeless dream. Tavia likes this idea. She is now much less afraid of dying and the Kraken Council of Elders in particular makes it clear to her that she will be a part of their family and friends even after death. She decides to return home with the ray and begin the final journey into the timeless dream with her family…

The audio book makes Tavia’s colorful underwater world come alive acoustically. It describes the thoughts of sea creatures, their memories and the feeling of a heavy heart. The story deals with the themes of dying, death and grief in a child-friendly and sensitive way. The grieving family members and friends also have their say and describe how life continues for them after saying goodbye.

Accompanied by the songs, the audio book succeeds in formulating questions that every person asks themselves and helping listeners find their own comforting answers.
In a catchy tone, the songs describe the fears, the search for answers, the feelings of sadness, the passing of time and life with loss. The songs are touching with their rhythmically varied music, which is not just a lament. Even in illness there are cheerful and comforting elements. The “Song of the Seagulls” is in a brisk 12/8 time. The “Song of the Luminous Jellyfish” is lively and dance-like and the “Old Council of the Octopuses” comes across as swing. The music is suitable for group work with solo singing and children’s choir. Pianistically it is a bit more demanding with up to five accidentals.

Press reviews:

• https://uebenundmusizieren.de/artikel/tavias-reise 
• http://www.chorzeit.de

ISBN 978-3-943064-13-1