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24 pp.
| Abrams/Abrams Appleseed
| May, 2023
|
TradeISBN 9781419764462$15.99
|
EbookISBN 9781647008246$14.39
(2)
PS
Starting with "una foto / one photo" of their deceased loved one, a group of "diez familiares y amigos / ten family members and friends" count their way through constructing an altar for Día de Muertos. The bilingual text highlights common offerings and decorations for Day of the Dead altars, further explained in an author's note, including traditional foods, candles, and flowers. Tonatiuh's stylized mixed-media illustrations, inspired by the same pre-Columbian art traditions as his cultural and historical retellings (Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns, rev. 11/20; A Land of Books, rev. 1/23), will draw readers in. The photo-collage elements give texture to the bold illustrations: "cuatro tamales" are wrapped with images of real corn husks; "cinco panes de muerto" get their depth from actual golden-baked crust. This clever counting book introduces this important part of Día de Muertos celebrations in an accessible and eye-catching format.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Lesley Vamos.
Mexican American fashion-obsessed Peacock "Pea" Pearl and Anglo gardening whiz Louise "Lou Lou" Bombay are best friends solving a mystery in their tight-knit, multicultural neighborhood. Spanish words and phrases and Día de los Muertos traditions are respectfully woven into the story. Vamos's loose gray-scale illustrations capture key moments as the girls' supportive friendship anchors the mystery until the satisfying ending. Glos.
(2)
4-6
Color by Braden Lamb. Ghost-obsessed neighbor Carlos teaches sisters Catrina and Maya (who has cystic fibrosis) about their new California town's traditions (townspeople are serious about Día de los Muertos), sparking interest in their own Mexican roots. The graphic novel's pace builds to moments of high emotion, seen in enlarged panels or full-page illustrations. Notes on Día de los Muertos (but not the cultural liberties taken) are appended.
Reviewer: Elisa Gall
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2016
32 pp.
| Piñata
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55885-805-3$17.95
(4)
K-3
Translated by Gabriela Baeza Ventura.
Illustrated by
Robert Casilla.
In a pre-Mexico indigenous village, Mamá Alma talks to Bella about how she's growing old. They share memories and plan how Bella can remember the grandmother when she's gone. The book is text-heavy, a fault visually magnified by the accompanying Spanish translations; while stiff, the illustrations contribute setting details. A valuable author's note discusses the now-"misunderstood" tradition of the Day of the Dead.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-1566-2$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Carles Ballesteros.
A family celebrates the Day of the Dead by eating sugar skulls and visiting the cemetery, where they listen to a band and let their ancestors know that they remember them. Ballesteros's colorful art recalls the traditional cut-paper papel picado associated with the holiday, while the rhyming text, which incorporates Spanish words, gives broad generalizations of the traditions. Glos.
40 pp.
| Abrams
| August, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-1647-8$18.95
(1)
K-3
José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913) didn't invent those iconic Day of the Dead skeletons, but they attained their greatest popularity during the years he drew them. Tonatiuh, in his signature flat illustrative style, digitally layers various colors and textures onto simple, black-outlined drawings; Posada's own artwork also plays a prominent role. The straightforward narrative incorporates biographical highlights and personal anecdotes; extended sidebars illustrate printing processes. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2015
40 pp.
| Dial
| August, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3326-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Poly Bernatene.
Skeleton boy Angelito is dreading the Day of the Dead, which requires him to "walk among the Living"--scary stuff. This book is well worth the energy required to negotiate its jam-packed pages, which feature a friendship built on a misunderstanding, Addams Family–type humor, a lesson in prejudice, an introduction to the Mexican holiday, and scare-free illustrations.
(4)
K-3
Cloverleaf Books: Fall and Winter Holidays series.
Illustrated by
Holli Conger.
Children narrate contrived stories introducing the customs involved in these four cultural holidays. Sidebars with dry text provide more straightforward information and facts about each celebration. The pictures (from various illustrators) are cheesy but cheerful. Each book includes an appealing holiday-specific activity, such as a turkey cookie recipe and instructions for making a Kwanzaa drum. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fall and Winter Holidays titles: Daniela's Day of the Dead, Grace's Thanksgiving, and Hailey's Halloween, and Kevin's Kwanzaa.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| September, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2214-2$16.95
(4)
PS
Translated by Teresa Mlawer.
A family honors its ancestors on el Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. The sing-songy rhyming text (which is more effective in the Spanish translation) lists activities associated with the holiday: food preparation, dancing, candle lighting, and remembering. Barner's colorful mixed-media illustrations are livelier than his text. An author's note (in English) provides additional information.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| August, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-425-9$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
René King Moreno.
Lupita and Tío Urbano welcome the arrival of the monarch butterflies, which Urbano tells her are the souls of their "dead ones" visiting before the Day of the Dead. Sadly, Urbano dies days before the celebration, but at the cemetery, Lupita sees a monarch and knows her uncle is there. The story provides useful information about this Mexican holiday; the fuzzy colored-pencil illustrations are awkwardly rendered. Glos.
48 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| February, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2951-4$23.93
(4)
K-3
Paper Craft Fun for Holidays series.
A two-page overview of the significance of each holiday is followed by simple instructions for making eight related paper crafts. Patterns to trace are appended but will have to be enlarged by an adult with access to a photocopier. Advanced scissors skills will be required for some projects (e.g., cutting out complicated Chinese symbols and pop-up "Kwanzaa words"). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review includes these Paper Craft Fun for Holidays titles: Paper Crafts for Chinese New Year, Paper Crafts for the Day of the Dead, and Paper Crafts for Kwanzaa.
(4)
K-3
Translated by Miguel Arisa.
Illustrated by
Loretta Lopez.
A girl comes to terms with her beloved grandfather's death through Mexican Day of the Dead rituals. The traditions portrayed in the story are enhanced by a brief appended note, along with a craft and recipe. The text and translation are fine, if sentimental; the vibrant illustrations with colorful borders are what really convey the spirit of the celebration.
(3)
K-3
Translated by Marianne Martens.
In the mountains of Bolivia, Felipa searches for the soul of her recently deceased grandmother but cannot find her. She finally does on the Day of the Dead, when the souls visit their loved ones. Illustrated with bold blocks of color and some Bolivian details of clothing, the story is quietly told, without mawkish sentiment. An explanation of the traditional celebration is appended.