Review by Booklist Review
Count from one to ten in Spanish and English with award-winning author-illustrator Tonatiuh in this bilingual book about Día de Muertos / Day of the Dead. Exploring the tradition of building an altar, the book begins by counting one portrait, two incense burners, three beverages, four tamales, and so on, until reaching a round of ten family members and friends around the elaborate scene. Spanish, followed by the English translation, appears in every spread, and the depiction of each character is celebratory in its own form, featuring a wide range of shades of brown skin tones in Tonatiuh's signature art style. An author's note offering more information about this important celebration and tradition (also in both Spanish and English) closes out this engaging book emphasizing the importance of honoring loved ones long gone.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Combining a concept book with cultural elements, Tonatiuh follows the building of a Día de Muertos ofrenda in this collaborative bilingual counting book. From "una foto/ one photo" to "nueve papeles picados/ nine cut-paper banners," the reader follows an array of Latinx-cued figures, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones, making additions that culminate in a bountiful altar full of food and drink, marigolds, and sugar skulls, among other items. The creator's signature Mesoamerican-inspired art here leans into gray tones and textured purples and oranges, building to an elaborate double gatefold of 10 individuals "remembering a loved one with a beautiful altar." Twining counting and language elements with holiday observance, it's a layered celebration that's just right for youngest readers. Ages 3--5. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Tonatiuh has created a wonderful counting book that is visually appealing and educational. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico, the United States, and Latin American countries for honoring the dead through music, food, and traditions. This bilingual counting book counts from one to 10, with each page highlighting a number and a food (tamales, panes de muerto) or items (incense, candles) that are placed on an altar. Readers will not only practice counting but also take in the illustrations that Tonatiuh is notable for, based on Mixtec codex. They blend the look of textures and style reminiscent of the past, making this book feel authentic to the subject. An author's note at the end includes a brief description of the holiday. People of various ages and abilities, including a child using a wheelchair, are portrayed in the book. Written in Spanish and English, it presents many opportunities for readers to learn about the holiday and its rich traditions, as well as to learn counting. VERDICT A great choice for libraries looking to add holiday or counting books to their collection for younger children.--Katie Llera
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Starting with "una foto / one photo" of their deceased loved one, a group of "diez familiares y amigos / ten family members and friends" count their way through constructing an altar for Dia de Muertos. The bilingual text highlights common offerings and decorations for Day of the Dead altars, further explained in an author's note, including traditional foods, candles, and flowers. Tonatiuh's stylized mixed-media illustrations, inspired by the same pre-Columbian art traditions as his cultural and historical retellings (Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns, rev. 11/20; A Land of Books, rev. 1/23), will draw readers in. The photo-collage elements give texture to the bold illustrations: "cuatro tamales" are wrapped with images of real corn husks; "cinco panes de muerto" get their depth from actual golden-baked crust. This clever counting book introduces this important part of Dia de Muertos celebrations in an accessible and eye-catching format. (c) Copyright 2024. 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
A bilingual English-Spanish counting book that explores and honors Dia de los Muertos. A family adds to their home ofrenda, an altar honoring loved ones who have died. With each page turn, the number of items grows by one--the family starts with "una fota" ("one photo"), then adds "dos incensarios" ("two incense burners"), "tres bebidas" ("three beverages"), and more. The simple and unadorned ofrenda soon becomes more elaborate and abundant as the family heaps on pan de muerto, marigolds, candles, and sugar skulls. Both a counting book and a primer on building a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda, this tale will delight readers with each new addition to the altar. Images are brought to life with Tonatiuh's signature collage style. Bold graphics gain depth from overlaid textures of papers, fabric, wood, and other more subtle images such as grains of sugar. The distinctive pre-Colombian--inspired character profiles and strong linework create magnetic visual interest. The heart of the holiday, "remembering a loved one with a beautiful altar," shines delightfully. A brief author's note provides more background about where, when, and how Dia de los Muertos is celebrated. This Latine family includes a wheelchair user who participates in the celebration. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A charming concept and holiday book--count on this one to be a future favorite. (Concept book. 2-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
