Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead

Frances Toor

This large, older book written for adults is full of Mexican customs and includes an eight-page article on the Day of the Dead.

Richard Keep

"...a Mexican family has set out fiesta offerings in the graveyard in hopes that departed loved ones may return to visit. The playful skeletons rise from their graves to celebrate with gusto. All night long, they sing, dance, dine, tell stories, and play games. As morning approaches, they give thanks to the stars for their night of fun, tidy up after themselves, and leave no trace of their "clatter bash" behind as they return to their coffins until next year's Day of the Dead.:

Rosa Coronado

Recipes for celebrations and everyday. This newer version of the family favorite has slimmed-down recipes. Part of the Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks series. Clearly written recipes for easy dinners and snacks: Red Snapper with Lime Juice, Mango with Cinnamon, and a couple of kid-pleasing favorites, Tortillas with Chicken and Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Linda Lowery

Introduces the holiday, Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, and describes how it is celebrated in Mexico and in the United States.
Part of the On My Own Holidays series.

Tony Johnston

Two Mexican children watch as the food is prepared and flowers are gathered for their village's yearly celebration to honor their beloved dead.

Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith

Two books in one! Part of the book follows Mexican-American twins who are participating in the Day of the Dead in their new country while another part gives factual information on the history of the holiday. Good for reports.

Kathryn Lasky

Many cultures have celebrations that commemorate their ancestors. Mexico's celebration, los Dias de Muertos, the Days of the Dead, can be like a carnival. This author and photographer capture the spirit of this vibrant holiday with vivid prose and brilliant full color photographs.

Mary J. Andrade

The author has interviewed anthropologists and town inhabitants to discover the different rituals and their meanings. Includes beautiful photographs. The first part of a four-part bilingual series on how the Day of the Dead is observed in different communities.

Elizabeth Silverthorne

The Day of the Dead is but one of Mexico's many fiestas. Learn about others, both religious and patriotic, and how celebrations abound in daily living.

Barbara M. Joosse

While celebrating the Days of the Dead, a young Mexican girl remembers her wonderful grandmother who sang songs, made tortillas, chased monsters away, and loved butterflies.

Janice Levy

"It's the Day of the Dead! It's time to celebrate! In this bilingual book, a young girl is busy helping her family prepare to honor those who have died. First she goes with her mama to the market to buy pan de muerto. Then she lays a path of marigold petals with her papa. But mostly, she thinks of her abuelito. She misses him very much and is excited for his spirit to visit that night. And when she sees the butterflies fly through the sky, she knows that his spirit is with them. Written in both Spanish and English, this book includes activities and recipes just right for any Day of the Dead celebration."

Kathleen Krull

In Mexico, Maria and her family celebrate Los Dias de los Muertos, The Days of the Dead. Includes a recipe for pan de los muertos.

George Ancona

On October 30, all of Mexico prepares for the festival in honor of the dead, and for Pablo, this year is special: two years ago his grandmother died, and he will celebrate her memory.

Randel McGee
Follow storyteller Randel McGee as he explores Day of the Dead:

Day of the dead/Día de los muertos -- Paper marigolds -- Skeleton candy basket -- Happy skeleton figures -- Skeleton pets -- Paper clothes for the skeletons -- Skull mask -- Papel cortado window dressings -- Aztec animal decorations -- Patterns

Luis San Vicente; translation by John William Byrd & Bobby Byrd

"San Vicente lets children join the celebration as they watch the skeletons rock, rattle, and roll those long old bones as they get ready for the biggest event of their social calendar. A short and fun essay, directed toward young readers, will explain this important Mexican holiday. The works of Mexico City artist Luis San Vicente have been exhibited in Mexico, Venezuela, Europe, and the United States. He has won UNESCO's prestigious NOMA Encouragement Concours Prize for Illustration, and UNESCO honored his work (1997, 1998, and 1999) in their prestigious Youth and Children's Catalog of Illustrations."

Ray Bradbury

Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud teaches a group of boys the history of Halloween while they desperately search for their missing friend on a Halloween filled with magic and suspense.