Remembering

by Xelena González, Adriana M. Garcia (Illustrations)

A family remembers their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos in this poignant and brightly illustrated picture book from Pura Belpré Honor–winning team Xelena González and Adriana M. Garcia.

A child and their family observe the customs of Día de los Angelitos, one of the ritual celebrations of Día de Muertos, to celebrate the life of their beloved dog who passed away. They build a thoughtful ofrenda to help lead the pet’s soul home and help the little one process their grief in this moving reminder that loved ones are never really gone if we take the time to remember them.

Genres: Picture Books, Grief, Death, Holiday, Dogs, Family, Animals

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2023

About the author

Xelena González practices the healing arts through writing and movement. She is a storyteller, dancer, and visiting author who centers self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. Her picture books include the award-winning titles ALL AROUND US and WHERE WONDER GROWS (Cinco Puntos Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books). Her forthcoming title REMEMBERING (Simon & Schuster, 2023) is her third collaboration with dear friend and celebrated muralist Adriana M. Garcia.

Her writing for adults includes poetry, essays, screenwriting, and a body of visionary fiction entitled LOTERIA REMEDIOS (Hay House, 2024). The curative card deck offers reflections, divinations, plant and animal medicine, and other tools for self-healing associated with the iconic Mexican game. Xelena has become a sought-after speaker on topics such as radical self love, creative early literacy strategies, inhabiting story through music and movement, and reclaiming indigenous identity in Latinx communities.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was beautiful. This duo can really do no wrong in my book!

I absolutely adored both the artwork and the storytelling in this one. If you’re looking for a picture book that discusses grief, this isn’t one that you want to miss. It not only captures grief and the importance of remembering but it highlights Dia de los Angelitos which is a celebration that takes place during Dia de Muertos. There is so much to be gained from the storytelling of this book, the appreciation of life, recognizing death as part of the life cycle, allowing oneself to feel that pain, allowing oneself to feel and remember the good moments. The back matter delves more into this. THE ARTWORK. Y’all….it is amazing. The acrylic paintings in this are stunning as always and I want prints to place in my house. Overall, another great collaboration between this two creators. I can’t wait to see more from them in the future.

[Sasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars



i'm vetting books for my nieces and nephews and this book had me crying uncontrollably in the middle of the barnes & noble's children's section today 🫠 remembering tackles the conversation of grief and remembering furry companions who've passed with fondness and love that's accessible for children. the poetry was coupled with stunning paintings that weaved natural elements and dia de muertos into it. i think it struck a chord in me even more so because the dog featured in this book looks exactly like my late dog, Boomer (not the slang; named after the left 4 dead 2 zombie). please do yourselves a favor and add this wonderful book to your collection, especially if you had a dog or a cat you deeply loved who you had to say goodbye to. it's so perfect.

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet read about losing a family pet. I absolutely adored the illustrations in this book as it made you feel for the family. The message was highly moving and I can see this book helping young children cope with the loss of their loved pet.

[Angela Boyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations ❤️

[Khurin W. F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Membaca buku ini mengingatkanku dengan film Coco. Karena latar belakang cerita ini juga berakar pada ritual Ofrenda, yakni ritual penyambutan arwah keluarga yang sedang berkunjung ke rumah. Rasa kehilangan tidak hanya terbatas kehilangan atas manusia, tetapi juga hewan kesayangan. Seperti di buku ini, tokoh aku melakukan aktivitas yang biasa dia lakukan dengan anjing kesayangannya yang sudah meinggal.

Melalui buku ini, penulis menyuguhkan sebuah kisah berduka yang bisa jadi sebagian orang lupa akan kemungkinannya. Jika anak kecil menangis karena hewan peliharaannya mati, baik itu baru saja dipelihara atau sudah lama, perasaan mereka sungguhlah valid. Mereka sudah membangun kelekatan dengan hewan kesayangannya itu, hingga kelekatan itu akan menimbulkan duka yang mendalam jika hewan mereka meninggal.

Di buku ini, penulis juga menggambarkan betapa suportifnya orang tua tokoh aku. Mereka tidak menyepelekan kesedihan tokoh aku, melainkan membantunya untuk menghadapi itu semua. Bahkan mereka juga menyiapkan ritual ofrenda untuk anjing mereka.

Terakhir, ilustrasi di buku ini ciamiiiiiiiikk sekalii. Amat sangat memanjakan mata. Warnanya kontras satu sama lain dan menghasilkan perpaduan yang indah.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering tackles the tough subject of pet loss. Beautifully illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, author Xelena Gonzáles writes about Simon, a family dog who has recently passed away. Young readers will be able to connect with the pictures and the words to help them process this loss. Excellent book.

Thank you Simon Kids for gifting me a copy to review.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tender story about the loss of a pet and the memories we carry. I love that it's also about Dia de Muertos and making an ofrenda for a lost pet. The art adds comfort to the text and it's a lovely book about grief and loss.

[el · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely lil book about honoring the death of the family dog of a Latino family.

[Aleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tears were pouring down my cheeks. This is a gorgeous book about remembering beloved pets who have passed from this life. It makes you feel all the feelings.

[Aneesa]

Illustrations full of movement

[SaraKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after hearing the author speak. It shows a lovely way that a family can honor and remember a lost pet with an ofrenda-style offering. The art is vibrant and eye-catching. A great book for any child.

[Lex’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

[REVIEW]

This book made me teary-eyed thinking about my own cat I lost ten days before my fifteenth birthday. I knew about Dia de los Muertos, but I had no idea that pets could also be honored on that day. That’s was nice to read about. I think this book is really good if you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a pet and is looking for a way to honor them. I also definitely recommend not skipping the afterword! It really adds to the story!

[Kirsten - Children's Library Lady]

A family honour their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos. The family creates an ofrenda, or altar, to share memories and celebrate their pet's life.

Remembering offers opportunities to discuss loss, remembrance, and the importance of cultural traditions in dealing with grief and healing.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does the family remember their pet dog?
2. What is the significance of the Día de Muertos tradition in the story?
3. How does creating an ofrenda help the family deal with their loss?
4. Can you think of a time when you had to say goodbye to something or someone you loved? How did you remember them?
5. How does the story help us understand feelings of loss and grief?
6. What does the story teach us about the importance of memory and remembrance?
7. Can you think of traditions in your culture that help you remember loved ones?

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers through SLJ Picture Book Palooza.
Meaningful story about a young girl who builds an ofrenda to celebrate and remember their family dog. She takes readers along her journey as she set out the elements and travels through her memories. The love shines through the text and artwork.
Gonzalez offers a tender look at grief when a pet dies. She acknowledges how deep this grief can be.

[Alexandra Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobbing, what a beautiful remembrance to beloved lost pets 💕 I miss my sweet boy

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, emotional, heartrending, and beautifully illustrated, this is a look at the way a dear dog, Simon, is remembered by his family in the traditional Day of the Dead ceremonies. The conclusion explains the Day of the Dead and ways in which you can create your own ofrenda for a departed loved one.

I appreciated that the grief for Simon was shared by the entire family, and the parents, as well as the kids are shown participating in the Day of the Dead observances for him.

[A Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed this and another title from our local library to help my kids better understand their grief and the ofrenda we make for our pets. I will say this book has a gloomier vibe than "An Ofrenda for Perro" which is the other title I borrowed, but this book feels very thoughtfully put together and I love it. My favorite line is "The house seems empty without you here. So our family fills it with photos and stories until we feel like you are near." In the author's note, González writes, "It is also an invitation to be part of a beautiful tradition passed on from our indigenous ancestors who saw death as an important part of life." I appreciate that the illustrator's note says, "We would like to note that some people do not include photos of the living on altars for the dead. In order to visually tell this story, we chose to include pictures of the family with their pet." I certainly noticed that the illustrations showed had the living in photos on the ofrenda and I am glad Garcia acknowledged that. I would recommend this book to families who make pet ofrendas, especially for children who are struggling with their grief. If your child does not yet understand the sorrow of death, I may recommend "An Ofrenda for Perro" instead. I plan to buy a copy of this title for our household.

[Genesee Rickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy, this book gave me lots of feels! It's been almost a year since my cat Puma passed away, and since then there have been other family pets we've said goodbye to. I've been thinking about how to honor Puma, how to make space for my continued grief, and I found this book helpful. I was crying within a few pages.

The art is warm and comforting (acrylic painting), and the way it layers images helps illustrate how thoughts are present, memories are present, without a physical presence. Really well done!

Back matter includes personal statements from the author and the artist on pets they've loved and lost and how they've found connection through ofrendas. Also included are instructions/ideas/an invitation to make your own ofrenda.

I'm honestly shocked this picture book was available at this time of year! But it was perfect timing for me and I will be gifting this book to many people.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

It's that time of year where all the ALA Youth Media winners and honors I put on hold came in at the library...

That was absolutely beautiful! The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is so heartfelt. I am NOT a dog person but I was able to relate to the feeling of loss I've had with my cat, Alex, who passed last year.
In the illustrator's note, she talks about the dog she has lost and how when she first got him, she thought "I love you so much!" followed by "It's going to hurt when you die" (paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to open back up to that page). THis is the exact same conversation that I have with my pets ALL THE TIME! So I could definitely relate!

I like that the book also encourages readers to create their own ofrenda in their own way. What a nice tradition to teach about.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the beloved family pet passes away, the family comes together to honor the love and life of their dog. The book is a beautifully illustrated book takes us through the traditions of Día de los Angelitos, which is part of the ritual celebrations of Día de Muertos. The family builds an oferanda and help their child process their grief.

This is one of those books you don't want to need to use for lessons on grief with a child, but having it available is just about the closest you can get to being prepared to explain the loss of the family's beloved companion. Reading this with my child brought up questions about our very much missed dog who passed recently enough that it is still fresh in our kid's memory. It made the conversation so much easier to have with how thoughtful the book was written and illustrated.

Content Warnings
Major
Death of a pet, Grief

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering is for K-3rd grade readers. The topic of the book is celebrating loved ones who have passed and how Dia De Muertos (Day of The Dead) is a meaningful holiday. I selected this book because I had the chance to read it during my students' Spanish language class. A few lessons could be covered with Remembering; death, emotions felt after the loss of a loved one, diversity, understanding, and the Mexican culture. A teacher might use this book to help explain what grief is, different cultures, and that memories are everlasting. This is one of my favorite books because, the story helped me explain my Step-Papa's culture easily to my daughter. I also was able to use the book to help her understand how we do not truly lose loved ones, that they are always with us, and that the memories we make with one another are gifts that we leave behind.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a keeper. I am always looking for books that address the loss of a beloved pet. Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant is one of my favorites. I've found another favorite. Xelena Gonzalez has done a lovely job of sharing how a family remembers their furry friend on Dia de los Muertos. An ofrenda is prepared which brings comfort to the family by showing all the ways that their pet brought love and joy to the family.
The artwork by Adriana Garcia is exquisite and adds another layer to this well-done and much-needed title.
Though the book is geared towards early elementary readers, in my opinion, this is an everyone title. I have added it to our library collection and will recommend it to all.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. This is a very sweet book that takes Dia de Los Muertos to a completely different level. I'm sure that we have all read books about how the culture prepares to display their family members during Dia de Los Muertos, but I bet you have never read a book about a family preparing to share their lost dog! This book is just so sweet and would be the perfect book for any child that has just lost a beloved pet, or a young reader that wants to learn a little bit more about the culture and traditions. Also, the illustrations are simply beautiful throughout the book. It may make the reader a bit sad, but it is an overall positive book.

[Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved ALL AROUND US by Xelena González and Adriana M. Garcia, and this one is an instant favorite. The illustrations are bananas and the narrative is incredibly moving. This is a perfect, age-appropriate window into the intersections of grief, love, and Indigenous resilience. I appreciated backmatter that shared the author and illustrator's own experiences of losing beloved pets, and their invitation to readers to create ofrendas and altars that help them honor their animal companions who have died. I borrowed this from the library, but I'm eager to purchase my own copy.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heart-felt story of a family grieving their deceased dog. They remember him by building a beautiful ofrenda in honor of his life. In my opinion, the acrylic paintings are the best that Adriana Garcia has done for a picture book, so far. The faces of the family members are almost photo-realistic. I loved how the frames could not quite contain the photos of the dog--an ear or a paw would be extended beyond the frame. The backmatter includes an author's note and an illustrator's note in which they reminisce about their former pets; and suggestions for making an ofrenda.

[Bridgette Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a dog owner I can completely relate to the sadness felt by this family over the loss of their beloved pet. I would feel exactly the same way. The author did a great job of drawing you in to the small yet profound moments that a family has with their dog. Kids can be so attached to their pet and their hearts definitely become broken over the loss of a special friend and playmate.

I love how the illustrator kept the dog alive by having the dog pop out of the picture frame as if it were still alive.

This was a simple but moving book.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely book about remembering your furry companions after they pass. We see a family with reminders of their dog all around them. They have set up an altar with pictures of the pet. They spread flower petals to help guide it home. They loved their dog.

The artwork was stellar. I mean, so much detail and rich in color. It's acrylic paint on paper. The hands were amazing. I was stunned by the artwork. It was a work of art.

Kids who have lost a pet will appreciate this lovely story.

[Ccaywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child and her family mourn their dog and honor what he meant to them with a Dia de las Muertos ofrenda. The emotionally powerful poem is amplified with lush paintings that suggest the presence of the dog’s spirit. The illustrations show a brown family with a trailer home in a rural setting.
I have an old dog and I know this time is coming, so I found the book personally meaningful. It may not be for everyone because of the intensity of feeling it evokes.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved All Around Us and Where Wonder Grows, and was so excited to learn of another book by the amazing team of Xelena Gonzalez and Adriana M. Garcia. This book is so sweet and emotional. I didn't know that the first day of Dia de Muertos is for angelitos - children and animal friends. I really appreciated the back matter by the author and illustrator that shared their pets' stories and thoughtful guidelines on celebrating Dia de Muertos.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about how one family honors a beloved pet for the Dia de los Angelitos

What I particularly loved about this story was that the illustrations depicted a family that clearly did not have much money, but were still shown in a way that gave them dignity and didn’t make that an issue that was central to or even mentioned in the book.