The Invisible Parade

by Leigh Bardugo, John Picacio (Author And Illustrator)

It's time to join the party! Adventure awaits readers of all ages on Día de Muertos in this stunningly original and lushly illustrated tour de force about family, love, and overcoming grief from #1 bestselling superstar Leigh Bardugo and World Fantasy Award and Hugo Award-winner John Picacio.

Everyone in the neighborhood was getting ready for the party.
Everyone knew somebody on the guest list. . . .
This was the day the dead returned.

There's a party tonight, but Cala doesn't want to go. While her family prepares for the celebration, Cala grieves her grandfather and tries to pretend she's not afraid.

But when she is separated from her family at the cemetery, Cala encounters four mysterious riders who will show her she is actually quite brave after all.

Brimming with magic and humor, The Invisible Parade is the first picture-book collaboration between award-winner John Picacio and New York Times bestselling Leigh Bardugo. Set on the night of Día de Muertos, Cala's story is one of love, loss, and the courage that can be found in unexpected places.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Death, Fiction, Middle Grade, Graphic Novels

60 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 2025

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology—and much more. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles and is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

Reviews

[Cereal Unaliver]

I'll read her grocery receipts at this point

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a whimsical yet moving childrens picture book about navigating grief, you absolutely need to pick this up! The Invisible Parade has gorgeous artwork and also tells a beautiful story about a young Mexican girl grieving the loss of her grandfather on Dia de los Muertos. As she walks through a graveyard, she encounters the four horsemen of the apocalypse and makes peace with her grandfather's passing. I read this with one of my kids who lost a grandmother a couple of years ago and it was really fantastic.

I love this collaboration between a Mexican-American artist turned writer with a writer like Leigh Bardugo. I had a chance to attend an event where they talked about their collaboration process and how John approached Bardugo about co-writing with him. The little girl is inspired by his daughter.

[Eva Gavilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trama/Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Personaggi/Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stile/Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Una graphic novel che, pur nella sua brevità, riesce ad essere stupenda e a mandare un messaggio profondo e commovente. Una storia tenera, toccante e perfetta da leggere il giorno di Ognissanti.
***
A graphic novel that, despite its brevity, manages to be beautiful and convey a profound and moving message. A tender, touching story, perfect for All Saints' Day.

[mag_book_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Wzruszyłam się na książce dla dzieci 😭

[Rita]

Leigh Bardugo is my favorite author ever. Her Grishaverse books will forever hold a very special place in my heart. For this reason, and because of the fact that she is a PHENOMENAL writer, she is a must read author for me and I'll read anything that she publishes

[Katey Flowers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Homeless folks aren’t an opportunity to ‘remember to be grateful for what you have’ 🤮

[C.L. Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, the artwork in this book is mind-blowing! The illustrations are haunting and beautiful at the same time, with vibrant colors and feeling behind each one. The book follows Calla, a young girl who has just lost her grandfather. It's about accepting grief and death as a part of life and realizing that though someone is gone, they do not have to be forgotten, and all that you shared can be celebrated. It's also about not standing still in your grief. Finish the story, do something new, and continue to grow as a person while also honoring your past. I thought it was lovely, but I'm not sure every child will understand these principles. I think it's for a bit of an older audience than it was originally intended for, and that's okay.

[~ Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se avete amato "Coco" amerete anche questo.

[Hannah]

what in the Anglo ass nonsense did I just read and why does no one in publishing know the actual name of this holiday? Why are they always dropping the article?? This is beautiful concept art for storyboarding a movie but it's very weird and doesn't work for a picture book, and the prose is so fucking white and I'm sorry but the supposed Wizard of Oz framing does not come through at all and I would have much rather read an original fantasy novel with that concept than whatever the fuck this disaster is that I just read, but what else is new with non-Mexicans in publishing thinking that giving us garbage scraps is them supporting us in their diversity efforts, so it all tracks, I guess.

Okay I had to add once someone pointed this out, the main character is holding a copy of SIX OF CROWS in the first spread, and please explain to me why she is little enough to be a CHILD getting LOST and yet old enough to be clutching that book like it's her most prized possession??

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite Day of The Dead book I've read so far. The illustrations and coloring are so beautiful. I used both the ebook and audio together.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously drawn little story about the Day of the Dead.

[Veronica Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written and illustrated.

[HorrorBabe911 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful children’s book about grief, the four Horsemen and the day of the dead celebration. The illustrations were beautiful.

[DaNae · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is the beginning of November and all of Cala’s family is pouring everything in the upcoming Dia de las Muertos. She, however, is not excited.Still hurting from an all to recent lose she stumbles into the night and met by four brothers, who have much to say to her.

it is a sad truth that often writers who excel at long form, have no idea how to construct a picture book. This was way too wordy and lacked both emotional intelligence and lively story-telling.

I was most disappointed by the illustrations that I felt were on the verge of genius then smothered in lackluster digital coloring. The detail of the images are breathtaking, but the overlaying execution seemed more like an animated video game or AI inspired palates.

[Kara Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 81 of 100

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚 by Leigh Bardugo & John Picacio

Narrated by Diana Bustelo

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀: Fantasy | Picture Book | Día de Muertos | Grief and Healing

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸:
This book is a stunning, emotional collaboration between one of my favorite fantasy authors, Leigh Bardugo, and award-winning illustrator John Picacio, whose Mexican American heritage deeply informs the art. Known for illustrating George R. R. Martin’s works, Picacio brings luminous spreads to life here, combining graphite sketches with digital color to capture the spirit of Día de Muertos.

The artwork in this story is absolutely stunning and incredible. I keep going back and flipping through the pages, always finding something new. Many of these images are so breathtaking that I would love to have them as posters on my wall.

The story of Cala, who grieves her grandfather and discovers unexpected courage through four mysterious riders, is as universal as it is culturally specific. While written for children, it speaks powerfully across ages. I found myself crying through the beauty of it, proof that a book meant to help children understand death can also bring comfort to a fifty year old woman who is still making sense of her own grief.

𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲:
The audiobook is beautifully narrated with music and sound effects in the background that make it perfect for reading with a child. Diana Bustelo has a tender and caring soft voice that invites you to curl up and focus on her reading. The combination of her narration with the musical backdrop enhances the story and makes the experience even more immersive.

𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
“Everyone knew somebody on the guest list… This was the day the dead returned.”

“Grandfather will never finish reading me his story,” Cala said quietly.
“You must read it yourself,” said Death. “Next year, you will help cook his favorite foods, and place flowers on the altar, and light candles so that he can find his way back to you. Then you will tell him all about how the story ended.”

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
The Invisible Parade is a book of remembrance, courage, and love. It will comfort both children and adults who have faced the loss of someone they love. It is gorgeous, heartfelt, and deeply human. I will treasure this as one of the most moving books I have read this year.

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:
∙Death of a grandparent
∙Themes of grief and loss

[bookwise]

so somehow when i got a goodreads email saying an author i follow just released a new book...I wasn't expecting this.

[Rebekah Burnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. Absolutely stunning✨

[Kimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would follow Leigh Bardugo anywhere. and the illustrations were gorgeous.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical and touching story about a young girl who lost her grandfather and meets the four horsemen during Día de Muertos. It's a beautiful exploration of grief. The illustrations are gorgeous.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure if reading this now was the perfect time or not since I just lost my own grandpa a few weeks ago. Otherwise I am sure I would not have been as emotionally invested as I was though.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! The Invisible Parade focuses on a child’s grief as she mourns the loss of her grandfather on Dia de Los Muertos. So happy to have this as part of my Bardugo collection, though very fairly this book wouldn’t be nearly as impressive without the beautiful illustrations by John Picacio.

[William Lexner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful.

[kaitziez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the art looked bad. Not balanced at all. The story? Started off good and then the last few pages just...flopped.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Dark topics and themes may not be suitable for young children and sensitive readers***

What a strange book?!

The Invisible Parade is a book about a young child who is struggling with loss even when the rest of the family seems to have moved on. And as a result readers are taken along with her as the family prepares for the night in the graveyard during Día De Los Muertos.

The book is extremely text heavy but dully written and if anything this book will be remembered for its illustrations and illustrative components more so than the writing. It is a book told in a style that mixes aspects of Disney's Coco with a Tim Burton vibe and the almost scenic darkness of The Crow. And combined in are the storytelling hooks found in The Wizard of Oz with its monotone change to bright colors on reaching another realm and Schindler's List with its color pop.

Sharp-eyed readers will find various components that re-emphasize the story elements like the broken heart and Grandpa's scarf in the photographs, the color pop trail of marigold petals and the constant use of crow tiles leading to a sofa with a crow pattern. In the kitchen are two butterflies on the wall, which are suggestive of the human soul and the constant crows. Combined with the sepia coloring, the eerie background and almost jail-like vibes of the cemetery I also would be afraid.

Readers will find that unlike Coco who goes to the Land of the Dead, Cala finds it in the graveyard but not before meeting the Four Horsemen (possibly a nod to Christian belief given Mexico's primary religion is Catholicism?). Pestilence is represented by a conquistador, Famine a possible Aztec chief and War is represented as a bandito whose horse is a war machine. And Death comes in on his pale horse - not quite foe but also not quite a friend at first.

And why Cala had need to meet the other three brothers wasn't quite touched on when the tale is basically about death to begin with. Both author and illustrator did a great job of dumbing down the Horsemen although I am not a fan that we are presented these four as something to embrace and to find them acceptable in daily life although their points are on the nose otherwise.

All in all a dark tale but one with gorgeously sinister illustrations that are sure to haunt you even after the book has long been closed.

[Jocelyn Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated book about grief and Día de Los Muertos. While the content is pretty heavy in places and there's a few lines from the horsemen that might require some adult logic and nuance to be explored (especially regarding the homeless), overall this book is thought provoking and worth the read. Definitely be prepared for questions if you read this to a child.

[talia ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

welcoming autumn in with a gorgeously illustrated leigh bardugo children's book all about day of the dead🍂🍁₊⁺

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nominated for the 2025 Hugo Award!!

An exceptional children’s book about Day of the Dead and grief. Leigh Bardugo gives us perfect words to sit next to the incredible illustrations. I absolutely love the horses elaborate designs (each one is very unique) and overall feel of this book. It’s about understanding where people go once they are gone from this world. It’s sweet, understanding, and comforting. Death is a tough topic for little kids and Invisible Parade really shines some insight into it from the Mexican cultural perspective.

It explains Day of the Dead, but also discusses that the spirits are with you all year round. The little girl in this is very relatable and feels genuine. She doesn’t want to participate in festivities because she’s so sad. A common grief response for children, and one that we should respond to in a kind, understanding way.

I would buy this for almost any child as I think the message is universal and the Illustrations are astounding.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting story, and a picture book about death. Cala's grandfather has died and she misses him terribly. Her family are preparing for the day of the dead but Cala is too sad and too afraid to participate. In the graveyard she meets four skeletons on horseback. The skeletons represent sickness, hunger, fighting, and death' getting to know them allows Cala to understand the positive sides to these forces and to feel more accepting of death. The illustrations are stunning elaborate and moody. My one criticism is that I would have liked the book to include a recipe for champurrado at the end. But I realize that this isn't a reasonable request. Champurrado is a Mexican hot chocolate which Cala drinks in the story, and it sounds delicious.

[Toby Pitts · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautiful, incredible idea- so short it makes me angry. HAHAHA
I get that this is for ages 6+....and for publishing it does seem like that falls into the 60 page range, but this feels like too massive a plot for such a tiny amount of text.

clearly I am not the demographic,
but I know as a kid i'd be like WHERE IS THE REST OF IT?!?!?!
As a kid I would still want details about the characters and to understand them more ...
I would love to hear a kids review.


*I would not suggest grabbing this on audible as it is so, incredibly short- unless you are grabbing for a small kiddo- which I would then highly suggest also grabbing the book to read along with.

[Kelly Gesker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and lush, it is evocative of grief. I love how straightforward the message is and the tradition of Dia de los Meurtos. And yes, echos of death are reflected in the life around us. I am sad because we have dropped many of the rituals that structured our grief and are now often adrift in our sorrow.