The Día de los Muertos Story: Celebrating the Never-Ending Bonds of Family

Gr 1-3–Día de los Muertos is celebrated in many places and has roots reaching back thousands of years. Beginning with the Aztec civilization, the act of honoring people who have passed away has been an important part of Mexican culture. With the arrival of European settlers, some traditional Aztec religious components were blended with Catholic beliefs to become the event that is recognized in present day. Thanks to the migration of humans over time, the Día de los Muertos tradition now reaches far and wide into various communities that continue to remember and honor the dead. This informative picture book recounts the multidimensional history of the development of the Día de los Muertos celebration over time. Lengthy blocks of text allow the narrative to provide great detail for readers, and colorful, child-friendly illustrations enhance younger readers’ comprehension of the story. Whether readers celebrate Día de los Muertos or not, this book includes a wealth of details and history that may be unknown to many people. Back matter distills the time line presented in the book for readers to consider, and a detailed note explains how Día de los Muertos is celebrated in the author’s life.