Today we want to celebrate a cherished Mexican holiday with Children's Books for Día de los Muertos. This special holiday known as the “Day of the Dead” in English is celebrated yearly on November 1st and 2nd. The celebrations include sharing stories, songs, and fantastic food. Families who celebrate Día de los Muertos believe that for a short time, the loved ones who have departed return to the world of the living to connect once again.
Our book list below include beautiful board and picture books that depict those heartwarming reunions. Share these books with the kids in your home and classroom to learn about cherished traditions including sugar skulls, marigolds, and happy Calaveras (skeletons).
Comment below with other new titles to help our readers
find new favorites for their bookshelves at home
and in the classroom!
• Children's Books for Día de los Muertos •
THE DAY OF THE DEAD/ EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Follow two children as they celebrate their ancestors in this bilingual introduction to el Día de los Muertos— the Day of the Dead!
They prepare offerings of flowers, sugar skulls, and special bread, and make delicious foods to eat and share. By spreading marigold petals, they guide the dead home to join the festivities. After hours of singing, dancing, and reminiscing, it's time for bed.
The festivities are described in brief, lyrical text, presented in both Spanish and English. An author's note provides more detail on the holiday, its historical context, and the inspiration behind the artwork.
Bob Barner's signature collages incorporate the traditional Day of the Dead symbols and bright, bold colors to evoke the joyful atmosphere of this vibrant holiday.
Celebrate our ancestors on the Day of the Dead / Honremos a los antepasados en el Día de los Muertos!
THE DEAD/ EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Written and Illustrated by Bob Barner
Published by Holiday House
CELEBRATE THE DAY OF THE DEAD!
El Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is here–and this board book is the perfect format to introduce the youngest readers to the holiday!
Cristina is excited to celebrate Día de los Muertos with her brother, Carlos, and their family. Young readers can follow along as everyone gets ready to remember their loved ones who are no longer with them.
Vibrant illustrations will express the festive, yet poignant, spirit of the celebration as everyone decorates their home, dresses up for a costume parade, decorates an altar, cooks tamales and sweet treats, and much more. At the end, there are additional facts about Día de los Muertos to reinforce the significance of all the traditions depicted in the book.
CELEBRATE THE DAY OF THE DEAD!
Written by Diane de Anda and Illustrated by Gloria Félix
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers
ABUELITA'S GIFT
Julieta is eager to honor her Abuelita's spirit on Día de Muertos, but struggles to find the perfect gift. A touching story that celebrates ancestors and teaches that the most meaningful tributes come from the heart illustrated by award-winning Sara Palacios.
Julieta is excited for Abuelita's spirit to visit on Día de los Muertos. She is determined to find the perfect gift to honor Abuelita and to show how much she misses her. However, her ideas fail one by one and Julieta grows worried.
It is only when Julieta embraces the memories she once shared with her abuelita, that she realizes the perfect gift comes from the heart. An uplifting story about both life and death, family, and the threads that connect us, long after we are gone.
ABUELITA'S GIFT
Written by Mariana Ríos Ramírez and Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
GUSTAVO THE SHY GHOST
This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season — or anytime.
Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him.
Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? With fancifully detailed artwork and visual humor, debut picture-book creator Flavia Z.Drago’s vivid illustrations tella sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship that is sure to be a treat for little ghouls and goblins everywhere.
GUSTAVO THE SHY GHOST
Written and Illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago
Published by Candlewick Press
OUR DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION
A family honors their living and dead relatives as they celebrate this holiday with shared food and stories.
The Day of the Dead is a happy day when Mar’s family gathers together. There are favorite dishes to enjoy, games to be played, and most importantly, stories to tell. No one in the family is forgotten because this is the day of the year when the dead come to visit the living—and for this holiday it is almost as if they’re alive again, as the family takes great joy in celebrating the things that made them special. Mar realizes she is just like her Grandpa Ramón, who kept a journal.
And her sister, Paz, plays accordian, just like their great-grandfather. There are so many things that connect them all—and at dinner, Abuelita spins even more stories that make them feel close to the ones they will love forever. Ana Aranda’s tender text and vibrant art make the joy felt on this sweet day totally palpable.
OUR DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION
Written and Illustrated by Ana Aranda
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
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Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.
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