Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos

El Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here―a holiday for celebrating the lives of departed family and friends. Altars are decorated with sugar skulls and marigolds. Tamales and sweets are ready to eat. Soon it will be time for picnics, music, and a costume parade! Come join in these joyful and vibrant festivities that are a tradition in Mexico, the United States, and throughout Latin America. PreS-Gr 2—A festive and colorful celebration of the Mexican and Latin American holiday. Thong's rhyming narrative introduces the traditions practiced during El Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, from the sugary, skull-shaped candies (calaveras) and altars built in remembrance of the dearly departed to decorating tombstones and picnics at the cemetery. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, sometimes defined through their context or otherwise included in the helpful glossary. From daybreak to nightfall, the holiday, often celebrated on November 1, is showcased as a town-wide event and is depicted as a family festivity. Ballesteros's vibrant and child-friendly art bursts off the page, sometimes overcrowding the tableau in a way that marries well with the partylike atmosphere. Mexican cultural references are made throughout, including cameos by Frida Kahlo, La Llorona, and the recently deceased Mexican actress and comedian Maria Elena Velasco, best known for her character La India Maria. The skeleton images made popular by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada are also prevalent in each spread, but these almost jolly figures won't frighten young readers. Pair with Paul Bracegirdle's The Dead Family Diaz (Dial, 2012) for a themed storytime, or include in Halloween displays. VERDICT A jovial primer on the Latin American holiday for the uninitiated and a fiesta for those who already partake.—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal 2015 Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award: Multicultural Celebrations Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2016―CBC/NCSS STARRED REVIEW! "Thong once again proves her mastery at creating a multicultural picture-book text that engages all readers…The rhyme is rhythmic and effortless, making it a delightful read-aloud…This enchanting presentation of the Dia de los Muertos holiday will resonate with both those who are new to its traditions and those who have been celebrating for generations."― Kirkus Reviews starred review "Thong smoothly incorporates Spanish words into her playful verse: 'We share in the foods that our guests loved to eat―/ fresh fruit and tamales, a holiday treat.'"― Publishers Weekly "Ballesteros's vibrant and child-friendly art bursts off the page, sometimes overcrowding the tableau in a way that marries well with the partylike atmosphere…A jovial primer on the Latin American holiday for the uninitiated and a fiesta for those who already partake."― School Library Journal "Spanish words are so seamlessly woven throughout the text that readers unfamiliar with the terms will easily grasp their meanings through context and accompanying illustrations…A great choice for readers who celebrate the holiday and those wanting to learn more about it."― Booklist Online Roseanne Greenfield Thong was born in California, but lived abroad for 18 years (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Guatemala and Mexico). Her multicultural children’s books have received international recognition in the Hispanic and Asian communities. Her book, Green Is a Chile Pepper was a 2015 Pura Belpre honor book. Carles Ballesteros was born near Barcelona, Spain. He now lives in Chile, where he teaches art classes and illustrates picture books and greeting cards. Día De Los Muertos By Roseanne Greenfield Thong ALBERT WHITMAN & Company Copyright © 2015 Roseanne Greenfield Thong All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8075-1566-2 CHAPTER 1 It's Día de Los Muertos, the sun's coming round, as niños prepare in each pueblo and town. For today we will honor our dearly departed with celebraciónes — it's time to get started! At home we've adorned our altares with care. They're heaped with recuerdos and good things to share ... Sweet calaveras , so sugary white — they give toothy smiles, but never a fright. A black-and-white photo of Grandpa Padilla, who's riding on horseback just like PanchoVilla! And toys for remembering small angelitos, a train and a dollhouse are both favoritos. Then off to the graveyard we head with ofrendas and colorful blankets to make meriendas. We carry incienso and velas to burn that will guide spirits back for their yearly return. And bursts of caléndulas , fragrant and bright — the color of sunsets and gold candlelight. A path of pétalos will help lead our guest to pillows and blankets for taking a rest. Above we hang streamers of papel picado that wave in the breeze like a rainbow pintado. (Continues...) Excerpted from Día De Los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong . Copyright © 2015 Roseanne Greenfield Thong. Excer