Elys, Dori. Día de Muertos: A Papel Picado ­Lift-the-Flap Book. illus. by Alicia Más. 14p. Little Simon. Jul. 2023. Board $8.99. ISBN 9781665939423. 
PreS–Rich colors transport readers to Day of the Dead in this lift-the-flap book. While brief on text, it does convey the basics of the holiday, including days when it is celebrated, foods, and traditions. The playful flaps are depicted as papel picado (paper banners), creating a fun element. While parents and caregivers might need to supplement for further explanations on certain traditions, this title pairs nicely with other texts or works for young readers with an understanding of the holiday. The few words in Spanish are easily understood using pictures and additional text. Illustrations feature various family members, including kids, adults, and grandparents, preparing for the holiday in a whimsical style. Despite limited text and explanations for words or traditions, there is an overall feeling of joy in the illustrations, which feature vibrant colors and happy expressions. Lively colors, fun flaps, and short text make this book accessible for younger children looking to celebrate Day of the Dead. VERDICT A solid addition to an established collection on the subject for younger children.–Katie Llera

Gutiérrez, Jolene & Shaian Gutiérrez. The Ofrenda That We Built. illus. by Gabby Zapata. 48p. Chronicle. Aug. 2024. Tr $17. 99. ISBN 9781797215624.
PreS-Gr 2–Glowing candles illuminate painted sugar skulls. Steam rises from tamales and sweet bread, mingling with the fragrance of marigolds and burning copal. In this reimagining of the well-known nursery rhyme The House That Jack Built, readers observe a brightly animated family assembling an ofrenda for Día de Muertos to celebrate the life of their beloved abuelo who has passed away. Gutiérrez’s rhythmic, cumulative story is a natural read-aloud, gathering momentum as the family snips colored paper into graceful papel picado, collects treasured mementos, and prepares their abuelo’s favorite food. A few Spanish words are seamlessly woven into the narrative, intuitively deciphered by context. Zapata’s digitally rendered illustrations are warm and vibrant, mirroring the sensorial experience a traditional ofrenda offers. Comprehensive back matter contains the history of Día de Muertos, notes from the authors and illustrator on their connection to the holiday, visual instructions for readers to make their own ofrenda, and a glossary of the common ofrenda elements. VERDICT A rich, rhythmic ode celebrating Día de Muertos, this read-aloud is recommended for all school and public library holiday collections.–Emily Brush

My First 100 Día de Muertos Words in English and Spanish. Lil’ Libros. 22p. Jul. 2024. Board $13.99. ISBN 9781962227100. BL.
Baby-Toddler–There is much to talk about and share in this colorful board book title focused on 100 words relating to El Día de los Muertos. Each spread is dedicated to presenting terms for colors, clothing, food, the skeletal system, and even cemeteries and the afterlife. Every scene is full of vibrant color and life, with the majority of individuals depicted taking the famous form of the skeletons associated with this special time. Words are given in English and Spanish. The afterlife spread depicts words central to the holiday like “Mariposas monarcas” and “Alebrije.” Readers will also learn how to describe dearly departed family members, such as “ancestor/antepasado.” This lovely board book is a unique “First 100 Words” title that shares words relating to the many foods, musical instruments, and other parts of this special time, and would be a great choice during the fall or any time when learning new vocabulary. VERDICT A perfect addition to bilingual board book collections, especially where Lil’ Libros and Día de los Muertos titles are popular.–Selenia Paz

[Read: 5 Picture Books to Help the Youngest Readers Celebrate Día de los Muertos]

Ramírez, Mariana Ríos. Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story. illus. by Sara Palacios. 40p. Knopf. Sept. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9780593568361.
PreS-Gr 3–A heartwarming story of a little girl honoring her family heritage. Día de Muertos is right around the corner for Julieta and her family. During this time, her family sets up an ofrenda to honor and remember their ancestors. Julieta is a vivacious little girl eager to celebrate her abuela. She begins to work on making a memento for her abuelita, but as she comes up with ideas, Julieta feels lost. With time running out, Julieta finally finds the perfect gift she can give to celebrate Abuelita. Ramírez does a wonderful job sharing the culture, vocabulary, and symbolism behind the holiday. A glossary is included in the back, as well as an illustrated drawing of an ofrenda. On the page next to the ofrenda illustration, close-ups of each element displayed on it are presented, each with an explanation as to why it’s included. This makes this story all the more personal and is also a smart addition for those less familiar with Día de Muertos. The book is great to share with families of any culture to celebrate and learn. Illustrations are fun and vibrant, adding a pop of color to each page. The story teaches many lessons, especially that even though family members may be lost, we can still celebrate them in different ways. VERDICT A heartwarming story for Día de Muertos celebrations and displays.–Maeve Dodds

 Raúl the Third. ¡Vamos! Let’s Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos: A Halloween and Day of the Dead Celebration. illus. by author, colors by Elaine Bay. 48p.  HarperCollins/Clarion/Versify. (World of ¡Vamos!). Jul. 2024. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780063277137.
K-Gr 2–A delightful journey through two vibrant cultural celebrations. Readers are treated to a colorful exploration of Halloween and Día de los Muertos, each with its own unique traditions and significance. Raúl the Third masterfully incorporates Spanish phrases throughout the narrative, making it accessible for readers to pick up new words through context clues. Little Lobo y sus amigos transition seamlessly from trick-or-treating on Halloween night to preparing ofrendas for Día de los Muertos, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. The illustrations burst with energy and charm, bringing to life the spirit of both holidays with vivid detail. From the spooky delights of Halloween to the heartfelt remembrances of Día de los Muertos, every page is a feast for the eyes. Humorous moments pepper the story, providing entertainment for both children and adults. For instance, Kooky quips about his neighbors in the cemetery being sound sleepers, adding a playful touch to the narrative. A glossary proves helpful for readers encountering unfamiliar words and enhances understanding and appreciation of the text. VERDICT A must-read. This one offers a joyful celebration of culture, tradition, and the spirit of these beloved holidays.–Jessica Clark

Ruffino, Gustavo. ¡Celebremos El Día de las Brujas Y El Día de los Muertos!/Let’s Celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead! illus. by Olga Barinova. 32p. Piñata Bks. Oct. 2024. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781558859975. BL.
K-Gr 3–Camila and her best friend Mía celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos in this bilingual English-Spanish picture book. Camila and Mía are celebrating Halloween, or Día de las Brujas, with their friends and teacher at school. Everyone is wearing fun costumes and creating Halloween crafts. After school, Camila visits Mía at home where her family is preparing for Día de los Muertos, and Camila learns about ofrendas. When her dad picks her up, Camila asks him if they can create one for her mother, who is no longer with them. He agrees, and the next day Camila and Mía’s families spend time together enjoying special food and remembering their loved ones as they celebrate Day of the Dead. This lovely bilingual picture book wonderfully introduces Halloween and Día de los Muertos in a gentle and calm way, providing readers with information on the customs and beliefs and showing the various activities that take place, along with the happiness shared between friends and families. Warm and inviting illustrations depict the friends at school and at home and show the love the friends and family have for one another. VERDICT An excellent choice for sharing Halloween and Día de los Muertos with young readers, this bilingual picture book is perfect for school and public libraries.–Selenia Paz

[Read: Día de los Muertos | Picture of the Week]

Tonatiuh, Duncan. Día de Muertos: Números: A Day of the Dead Counting Book. illus. by author. 24p. Abrams/­Appleseed. May 2023. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781419764462. BL.
PreS-Gr 1–Tonatiuh has created a wonderful counting book that is visually appealing and educational. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico, the United States, and Latin American countries for honoring the dead through music, food, and traditions. This bilingual counting book counts from one to 10, with each page highlighting a number and a food (tamales, panes de muerto) or items (incense, candles) that are placed on an altar. Readers will not only practice counting but also take in the illustrations that Tonatiuh is notable for, based on Mixtec codex. They blend the look of textures and style reminiscent of the past, making this book feel authentic to the subject. An author’s note at the end includes a brief description of the holiday. People of various ages and abilities, including a child using a wheelchair, are portrayed in the book. Written in Spanish and English, it presents many opportunities for readers to learn about the holiday and its rich traditions, as well as to learn counting. VERDICT A great choice for libraries looking to add holiday or counting books to their collection for younger children.–Katie Llera

Trejo, Terrilyn M. DÍa de Los Muertos Celebration. illus. by Emily Brunner. 32p. (Traveling Tales of Nacho and Lola). Lawley. Aug. 2024. pap. $12. 99. ISBN 9781960137326.
K-Gr 2–Chihuahua puppies Nacho and Lola are traveling again, this time to celebrate el Día de los Muertos in Tucson, AZ. On this bright and cheerful holiday, family and friends gather to remember their loved ones who have passed. This picture book offers fun information that will enrich students with knowledge about the food eaten during this celebration, the meaning of the ofrenda (altar) filled with the photos of the deceased to welcome spirits, the type of house décor used, the skeleton costumes people wear, and more. Text in black font is laid out in lightly browned boxes, providing a pleasing organizational design that balances well with the illustrations. Sporadic Spanish terms accompany the narrative carried by the two canine main characters. Humans take a secondary role, and the anthropomorphic nature of this book will surely delight children. Digitally made colorful illustrations set the tone, showcasing Mexican cultural traits, such as colorful planters and hanging red chilies. VERDICT A perfect addition to public and school library shelves to enhance seasonal story times with facts about the Day of the Dead.–Kathia Ibacache