Written & Illustrated by Bob Barner
Translated by Teresa Mlawer
Written in English & Spanish
Published 2010 by Holiday House, Dongguan City, Guang Dong Province, China
This book explains the customs of one of Latin America's most popular holidays, the Day of the Dead (English) or el Dia de los Muertos (Spanish). This holiday is a special time for remembering loved ones who are no longer living and is celebrated every year from October 31 until November 2.
People prepare for the holiday by baking or buying special foods. Pan de muertos, or bread of the dead, is a sweet bread baked only for this special holiday. It has a tiny skeleton doll baked inside. The person lucky enough to get the little skeleton in his or her piece of bread can make a wish that will come true. Sugar skulls or calvaras de azucar, come decorated in bright colors and are eaten at the end of the celebration. Tamales made of cormeal cakes, filled with meat, and wrapped in a cornhusk, are a popular treat. These are steamed before eating.
Altars for the departed, decorated with marigolds and candles, are displayed in homes and schools. Incense is burned to attract the spirits of the departed. On the night of November 2, families go to the cemetary. They spread the marigold petals, burn incense, and light candles to welcome the spirits to the celebration. They dance, sing, have a picnic, and share memories of their loved ones.
The book is large print and I would recommend for K-3 grade. The illustrations are very colorful. I am not particularly fond of the illustrations depicting skeletons (in this book or any book) as I think they are scary for young children. I am not fond of the celebration either, as it seems morbid to me. I realize that it is a very important holiday in Latin American culture and I would share it with a class to broaden understanding of different culture. It would be useful to me (and perhaps a class) to actually experience a Day of the Dead celebration. The experience may prove to be more positive than negative and improve my feelings about the holiday.
Dia de Los Muertos is a GREAT holiday! It is a beautiful & fun way to celebrate the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us! The skeletons are the best part, whether in candy form or statuettes! They are usually having fun & enjoying the afterlife as much if not more than they enjoyed their time on Earth.
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