Día de los Muertos, a holiday with Mexican roots, is a time for family and friends to honor their deceased loved ones. The Day of the Dead is usually celebrated November 1st and 2nd. These five picture books commemorate the day and will help kids get in a festive spirit.

La divina Catrina/Oh, Divine Catrina by Aracely De Alvarado. illus. by Claudia Navarro. Piñata. ISBN 9781558859104. 
K-Gr 2–Artist and illustrator José Guadalupe Posada’s famous Catrina takes center stage in this lovely bilingual picture book about Día de los Muertos. The Calavera Catrina is getting ready for the Day of the Dead festivities and searches for an outfit to wear. After trying out a stained dress, a skirt that may be a curtain, shoes that fit a little too tightly, and several other not-quite-right ensembles, Catrina finally finds a dazzling wine-colored dress that pairs perfectly with several unique pieces of jewelry and a lovely hat covered with cempasúchil flowers. Catrina illuminates the ball as she walks in the room. 

Where Is?/¿Dónde está? Mi Ofrenda by Mariana Galvez. illus. by Mariana Galvez. Lil’ Libros. ISBN 9781948066372. BL. 
Baby-Toddler–Amelia is collecting items for her family’s ofrenda, the altar they will put together to honor loved ones who have passed on, and she needs help. Readers are able to jump right in and help Amelia find the special items she is looking for. At last, as all the special items are collected, Amelia’s ofrenda for Día de los Muertos is ready. An excellent interactive and informative board book on Día de los Muertos that is sure to lead to many re-reads and to further exploration of this special time.

Skeletina y el Entremundo by Susie Jaramillo. illus. by Susie Jaramillo. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250851055. SP. 
PreS-Gr 2–Skeletina lives in the entremundo, the “in-between” world, where ghosts who have unfinished business reside. With unique characters, an intriguing premise, and a welcoming protagonist, readers will want to revisit the entremundo again. Highly recommended for Spanish picture book collections as part of Día de los Muertos or Halloween displays or all year long.

Little Monster, What Pan Dulce Do You Want?/¿Monstruito, qué pan dulce quieres? Lil’ Libros. ISBN 9781948066334. BL. 
Baby-Toddler–An array of unique and adorable little monsters is gathered together as a calaca offers them delicious sweet bread. The little monsters are revealed to be young children who are just finishing up their Halloween festivities. As Día de los Muertos is now arriving, the sweet bread on their mind is the special pan de muerto that is enjoyed during this time. An excellent addition to bilingual board book collections, and a perfect choice for Halloween and Día de los Muertos.

Día de los Muertos by Rosie Pajaro. illus. by Gaby Zermeño. Cottage Door. ISBN 9781646386413.
Baby-Toddler–Día de los Muertos is here in this colorful counting board book for the youngest readers. Each spread includes a special scene depicting the festivities: an ofrenda with special photographs, a market selling marigolds and sugar skulls, and characters enjoying music and dancing. Starting with 10, readers count down each of the items identified on the different spreads.