Three on a Theme: Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos is not a Mexican version of Halloween. And because I’ve never celebrated the holiday, I’m not even going to try and explain it. Suffice to say, it’s an important holiday for those who celebrate it – honoring family who have passed away. Disney/Pixar’s Coco was inspired by Día de los Muertos. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m thinking this might be the perfect weekend plans! Below, are just a few titles that can be used to teach children about the celebration and a little bit about this history of the calaveras.

Our Passport Pals program at the library allows children to explore countries and cultures throughout the year. This month my children’s librarian focused on Mexico. And along with trivia and crafts, we give the kids a snack commonly found in the country. This year we were able to find calaveras at a local Mexican supermarket and deli – and the kids were so excited! (It definitely beat the chips and salsa they thought they’d be getting). I love this program because it’s teaching kids that the world is so much larger than what they experience day-to-day. And hopefully, it’s helping to raise a more empathetic generation to come! Enjoy these Día de los Muertos books and if you are familiar with other titles, please share them in the comments!

Booklist

Dia de Los Muertos by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Carles Ballesteros
It’s Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and children throughout the pueblo, or town, are getting ready to celebrate! They decorate with colored streamers, calaveras—or sugar skulls—and pan de muertos, or bread of the dead. There are altars draped in cloth and covered in marigolds and twinkling candles. Music fills the streets. Join the fun and festivities, learn about a different cultural tradition, and brush up on your Spanish vocabulary as the town honors their dearly departed in a traditional, time-honored style.

Clatter Bash: A Day of the Dead Celebration by Richard Cleminson Keep
Graveyard skeletons shake, rattle, and roll for a Day of the Dead celebration.

At dusk on the holiday known as Day of the Dead, a Mexican family has set out fiesta offerings in the graveyard in hopes that departed loved ones may return to visit. The playful skeletons rise from their graves to celebrate with gusto. All night long, they sing, dance, dine, tell stories, and play games. As morning approaches, they give thanks to the stars for their night of fun, tidy up after themselves, and leave no trace of their “clatter bash” behind as they return to their coffins until next year’s Day of the Dead.

Author-illustrator Richard Keep’s rollicking rhyme–sprinkled with Spanish words–captures the bone-rattling sounds and fun of the evening. An illustrated afterword gives information about the customs associated with el Día de los Muertos, a Mexican celebration of honoring relatives who have passed on.

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh
A picture book biography of José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852–1913). In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he first drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons throughout much of his life, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe’s, author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity.