Pablo Remembers

by George Ancona

From October 31 to November 2, people in Mexico celebrate the festival of el Dia de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. This photodocumentary follows Pablo and his family as they prepare to honor the memory of Pablo's grandmother. Ancona's "photographs catch the affirmation of life that fills the Mexican festival arising from both Aztec and Christian customs honoring the dead....Joyful."--Chicago Tribune. "This intriguing book makes an excellent offering during the Halloween season."--School Library Journal. Also available in a Spanish Language edition, Pablo Recuerda.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Nonfiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 1993

About the author

George Ancona was an author and photographer who has published more that one hundred books, some of them bilingual. He was known for his exquisite photography and close-up looks at a variety of cultural subjects. He lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Reviews

[S10_Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holidays and traditions from around the world are great for children to learn about. The author, George Ancone, does a wonderful job taking the reader through a photographic journey of a three-day celebration that takes place in Mexico, The Day of the Dead. The photographs and descriptions really bring this holiday to life, for those who may not celebrate this holiday. In addition, the author goes to great efforts to explain the importance and the symbolisms of the preperations and traditions that take place during this three-day holiday.

This book would be great for students who are from the grades of second to sixth. It would be a useful tool for teaching children about customs and traditions that take place around the world. The photographs are authentic and the glossary is very useful.

[Callie]

Grade/interest level: Early childhood/Primary (PreK-3rd)
Genre: Multicultural/Picture/Informational

Main Characters: Pablo and his family (three sisters and parents)
Setting: Mexico (Village, Pablo’s house, cemetery)
POV: First person

Summary:
This is the story of how Pablo’s family celebrates the Mexican holiday Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The author uses text and photographs to show the reader important aspects of the tradition. Pablo’s grandmother passed away two years earlier and Pablo misses her. The story explains how the activities that families take part in during Day of the Dead comfort them and keep their relatives close to them.

Throughout the book, the reader learns about different aspects of the tradition. We see the preparation of the altar and special foods, the decorating of graves and tombs, meals with family close by and the picnic in the cemetery.

There are English translations and explanations for words used in Spanish. There is also a glossary at the end of the story for readers to reference.


Classroom use/theme:
I would use this story in the classroom to introduce students to different cultures and traditions. I think it is important for children to see how other groups of people deal with death and it can be very positive for them to see life celebrated in such a positive light rather than the traditional dark views that society often has on death.

[Kathy Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book would be a great tool in a classroom for students to learn about diversity and various cultures across the world. If used in a classroom, this can also be a great tool to teach students about the Spanish language. I also like that the illustrations in this book have actual people in them to give readers a chance to visualize people like them, except celebrating a different day in the year. I think that in a classroom, the teacher could use this in a Language Arts class to teach students about 'the day of the dead', and have students write about a day in the year they enjoy most. It can be a holiday, like Christmas, or even their birthday! There are tons of opportunities for students to share the excitement that the characters are experiencing, relating to the text and comprehending facts about another culture. I think this book would be a great addition to a classroom library, and maybe a teacher could plan a special day for a class (after their assignment is done) to have a mini-fiesta in the classroom!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published: 1993, Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books
Age: 6-9
While Americans celebrate the scariness and hauntings of the dead on Halloween, Mexican Americans celebrate and honor the spirits of the dead on the Fiesta of the Day of the Dead. It would be interesting to compare the two so Mexicans can be in touch with their heritage and Americans can become familiar with the way a different culture celebrates a similar holiday. George Ancona uses photographs with nice borders and focuses on a boy named Pablo from Oaxaca whose grandmother died 2 years ago. The reader follows him as he prepares for and shops for the traditional foods and decorations for the 3 day celebration. The Mexican foods and items are in Spanish and translated in English. The most interesting and informative part of the book, however, is the author’s note at the end explaining the complete history of the Day of the Dead celebration. There is also a glossary of the Spanish words used in the story.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful photographs in this book not only provide information about the festival of the Day of the Dead but also about life in this small town outside of Oaxaca, Mexico. Pablo, his three sisters and their parents are preparing to celebrate the Day of the Dead and are remembering Pablo's grandmother, who died two years ago. To prepare for the celebration, Pablo, his oldest sister, Shaula, and their parents take a bus to an open-air market in the neighboring city of Oaxaca (instead of driving a car to a supermarket). There are wonderful photographs of the market, their town, their home and the altar and food they prepare, and the cemetery where their grandmother is buried. This book shows a different cultural attitude toward death: death is a part of life and the living can reconnect with the spirits of the dead through this joyful celebration remembering their lives.

[Giulana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an important book to have in a classroom library because it paints a picture of another culture's traditions and allows students of a similar tradition to feel more at home. Students will be intrigued by the photographs in this book and be interested in learning even more about the Day of the Dead. Including cultural books like this one are very important when a teacher is striving for a culturally accepting classroom.

I would suggest teachers accompany this book with an actual celebration held within their classroom. Students may honor their deceased family members or pets and offer them food.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this time, some of the images are a little outdated, since the book was published in 1993. However, it is a good source for information about the Day of the Dead.

The theme, obviously, is Day of the Dead and how it is celebrated.

This is mostly an informational book for non-Latinos, but I believe Latinos would also enjoy reminiscing about their own Day of the Dead celebrations. It might also be enjoyable to recognize shared aspects of the celebration, such as sugar skulls and decorating the altar.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book about Día de los Muertos. This would be a really good book to share with a classroom on how different cultures celebrate the time around Halloween. Americans consider this time to dress in costumes, eat candy, and scare. The Mexican culture use this time to celebrate their loved ones who passed away. This book shows Pablo and his family preparing for this day and remembering his grandmother who passed away. The pictures in this book are great because it gives an inside look on how Pablo and his family prepare and celebrate this day.

[Kathryn Eder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great example of a multicultural book for children to learn about a different culture then their own. It follows a little boy who shows us how he remembers ones that have past on. He shows us how they prepare and how they celebrate the life of the ones that they have lost. It really helps the reader get a glimpse in the life of a little boy and the traditions he has learned through his parents.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead” is an excellent children’s picture book to use to introduce or learn about Mexico's Day of the Dead. Through full-page and small color photographs, accompanied by text, photojournalist George Ancona tells the story of how one family honors their deceased relatives by observing the Day of the Dead in their village in Mexico.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Ancona uses real photographs of a Mexican family who live near Oaxaca as they prepare for and celebrate the three day festival for The Day of the Dead or el Dia de los Muertos. The pictures tell a strong story of the traditions of this holiday.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older title, but it's still relevant. As he has done with many other books, Ancona uses everyday pictures of people to share information about a topic. His pictures are always full of life and engaging. I enjoyed seeing how the family prepared for and celebrated the Day of the Dead.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

1996 Belpre Illustrator Honor

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource, specially side by side with the Spanish version.

[Rebecca Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good nonfiction text about el Dia de los Muertos. I wish a contemporary update would be issued though. Kids love seeing other kids in the photographs, but it feels a little dated. I love the personal connection the author, George Ancona, made with the family whose story he tells. The photographic journey with a real family in Oaxaca over the three day holiday gives the reader insight into the cultural traditions. The inclusion of Spanish vocabulary is great too.