Day of the Dead

Yo Solo ~ Festividades

by Linda Lowery, Linda Lowery, Linda Lowery Keep

Combining woodblock-style illustrations and a text addressed to "you," this easy-to-read title introduces various aspects of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations common to Mexican and many Mexican-American communities. Noting roots in both Aztec and Catholic traditions, Lowery shows how the cycle of the growing season is tied to the cycle of human birth, life, and death and explains how the memorialization of the dead during this period of festivity is a time for joy rather than sorrow. Non-Latino youngsters will enjoy the links between Halloween and the Day of the Dead traditions and will shiver with pleasure at the decorations and treats-prominently featuring bones and skeletons-that may seem slightly ghoulish to those unfamiliar with the holiday.

Includes: Timeline, Maps, Table of Contents, Recipes, and Note to Adults

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Cultural

48 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple informational book about the Day of the Dead holiday celebrated throughout North America although the focus here is Mexico. The most common practices, items, and symbols are described and accompanied by illustrations. It emphasizes the Aztec origins although the author seems oblivious to the fact that the honoring the dead/dead ancestors is common to all homo sapiens and acts as if this practice were unique to natives of this particular ancient civilization despite discussing how the Catholic feasts of All Saints and All Souls were combined with Aztec traditions. The celebration of Halloween is also included where crosses over into Day of the Dead festivities.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was informative, but really focused on the Hispanic ways of celebrating. It briefly mentions us Cajuns and how we DO celebrate it, but not how. Halloween was completely left out, and whereas I'm glad it didn't focus on faith, it didn't touch upon Catholic influences on the holiday enough for even my atheistic tastes.

The pictures were a bit boring, and didn't quite captive the magical feelings of Day of the Dead celebrations. Would've also been a smart idea to put recipes for a family to make of each of the foods they named.

[Devin Lenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks about the celebration of the day of the dead not being a sad day but instead a celebration of the peoples lives as well as how with death comes new life in the world. Death can be a scary thing for kids to think about but this book does a great job at making it kid friendly and understandable for all cultures about the holiday.
This is a great book for early grades to understand other cultures around the world and the holidays they celebrate.

[Crixy · Rating 5 out of 5]

FACINATING!!!!!

[Erika]

This book is about how Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead and why they celebrate it. It is a good read for children of any background to learn about other cultures and why we celebrate this tradition in America. This picture book would be an excellent choice for primary students that want to learn about other cultures or the customs of other cultures or what Day of the Dead is about.

[Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses various aspects of the D'a de los Muertos holiday. The author explains that the celebrations are used as a way to honor the dead, and how it is all a part of the cycle of life.

I checked this out because I decided I needed to know a little bit more about the holiday, since we have programs to celebrate it at the library. The book was very easy to read and understand, though I still find all the skeleton pieces of the holiday to be a bit ghoulish. :)

Amazon rated for kindergarten through Grade 3

[Briere Lohnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

While full of interesting information about the Day of the Dead, celebrated in Mexican culture, this 2004 multicultural informational book, is generally very straightforward. This book did not really try to use a creative way to depict this holiday, and its traditions. I do appreciate and understand the genre of book its in being more to the point. However, a more creative story, makes young kids more interested in reading and listening to it. Despite this, I do believe that it would make a good pair with a series of lessons on Mexican culture and holidays!

[Jeanette]

I checked this out from the library to get ideas for our wedding since it's going to be Dia de los Muertos. I had no clue this was a kids book. It was still informative with a lot of cool pictures and a cute story.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book says so much about el dia de los muertos but in such a child-friendly way that I can read it to my four year olds. I love the way the Lowery provides the historical connection to the celebration. Excellent work!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent resource for Spanish teachers! Even though this is a translation, it is well written, clear, age-appropriate for children, and the illustrations are sweet and very helpful. This is one for me to buy for my personal library and use yearly!

[Nancy Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book introduces the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos as it's called in Spanish. In addition to giving an explanation behind the tradition, it outlines some activities done on each day of the 3-day celebration in Mexico and other places in North America.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information about the holiday, presented in chronological order, with some new facts I haven't come across during this unit. Wish the Spanish words in the text were in bold or italics to make them stand out. Pronunciations and definitions in the back.

[S10_Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes the reader throught the 3 day traditions and customs for The Day of the Dead.

[Christian Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job of explaining what Day of the Dead is. It goes into detail about this history of the holiday and the purpose. Furthermore, it describes what occurs during the holiday.