Review by Booklist Review
Barner credits the work of Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, whose engravings of skeletons have become symbols of the Day of the Dead celebrations, for inspiring this picture-book overview of the Latin American holiday. The rhyming English text follows a traditional nuclear family through their preparations and practices: We celebrate our ancestors on the Day of the Dead / with offerings of flowers, sugar skulls, and bread. Mlawer very deservedly receives marquee recognition for her unforced, unrhymed Spanish translation, which accompanies the text on each page. The illustrations of paper, pastel, pencil, and ink, set on brilliant double-page spreads, are celebratory and never spooky, even in the graveyard scenes, as the prancing skeletons and ghostly grandparents offer friendly smiles. With just a few short sentences and an afterword, this title presents an introduction to the holiday that is spiritual and serious, familial and fun, making it ideal for group sharing.--Medlar, Andrew Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Vibrant paper collage illustrations pay homage to the Day of the Dead while bilingual text describes the holiday's traditions: "We celebrate our ancestors on the Day of the Dead/ with offerings of flowers, sugar skulls, and bread." A family prepares a meal and later dances in a graveyard as a friendly white skeleton strums a guitar. The festive colors and imagery in Barner's cut-paper collages encapsulate the celebratory and memorial nature of the holiday; a concluding note offers additional details. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Barner introduces a tradition that may seem morbid to those not familiar with its practice or history. The Day of the Dead is a Latin American holiday observed for several days, beginning on Halloween. It is a joyous celebration of deceased loved ones through memories, songs, food, and dance, and Barner successfully captures that spirit within these pages. Rich colors and simple phrases guide children through a tradition that is anything but mundane. The festive and detailed illustrations add to the authentic feel of the book, which will serve as an excellent accompaniment to lessons about the holiday and will encourage further research. With its sugar skulls and colorful altars, this observance highlights the unique cultural differences that exist throughout the world.-Roberto Zapata, San Antonio Public Library, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A family honors its ancestors on el Dma de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. The sing-songy rhyming text (which is more effective in the Spanish translation) lists activities associated with the holiday: food preparation, dancing, candle-lighting, and remembering. Barner's colorful mixed-media illustrations are more lively than his text. An author's note (in English) provides more detailed information. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This Latino holiday, observed each year from October 31 through November 2, is celebrated with food, song and candles lit to remember and honor the spirits of departed loved ones and ancestors. The English and Spanish text, rhymed in both languages, touches on the highlights of the three-day festival, which culminates with a family celebration at the cemetery. "Mark a path for the spirits / with the petals of flowers. // We dance, sing, // and remember / the loved ones for hours." Barner's collage art is created from cut, torn or crumpled papers combined with pastel dust, pencil and printing inks and is rendered in bold, bright Mexican colors. The illustrations supply a festive atmosphere peopled with dancing skeletons and Latino-featured children. The skeletal images reflect those created by the Mexican artist Jos Guadalupe Posada, including the popular lady skeleton, La Catrina, a major character of the holiday. A joyous and vibrant introduction, ideal for preschoolers just learning about the custom. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
