Synopses & Reviews
A fresh, funny take on the Day of the Dead that's packed with kid appeal!
Every skeleton in the Land of the Dead is excited to celebrate el Día de los Muertos with the Living. But not Angelito. His big sister has told him all about their horrifying bulgy eyes and squishy skin. So when Angelito is separated from his family in the Land of the Living, he's petrifieduntil he makes a new friend who is just as terrified of THEM as Angelito is. Then his new buddy turns out to be (gulp!) a living boy! Angelito runs as fast as his bony feet can carry him. Fortunately the traditions of the Day of the Dead reunite the two boys, just in time for some holiday fun.
Full of wild, Tim Burton-esque art, this clever tale is sure to become un libro favorito for the Day of the Dead, Halloween season, and beyond.
A colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences . . . lush and vibrantly hued . . . The ending satisfies, and the story as a whole addresses many issues pertinent to primary- grade children.”School Library Journal
Review
"A warm, fictional introduction." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"The text and pictures abound with the rhythms of the Spanish language and the joyousness of the tradition of remembering relatives who have died." Children's Literature
Synopsis
Above a small town in Mexico, the sun rises like a great marigold, and one family begins preparations for an annual celebration,
El día de los muertos, the Day of the Dead. Soon they will go out into the night, join their neighbors, and walk to the graveyard to welcome the spirits of their loved ones home again. Framed by decorative borders and peppered with Spanish words,
Day of the Dead is a glorious introduction to a fascinating celebration. A note at the end of the book provides factual information about the holiday.
About the Author
TONY JOHNSTONs numerous books for children include
Its About Dogs, illustrated by Ted Rand,
Very Scary, illustrated by Douglas Florian, and
The Day of the Dead, illustrated by Jeanette Winter. She lives with her family in California.
JEANETTE WINTER has written and illustrated many books for children, including MAMA, The Librarian of Basra, Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, My Name Is Georgia, and Josefina. She lives in New York City.