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Day of the Dead-Día de los Muertos

Celebrate Diversity in Your Library

Day of the Dead-Díade los MuertosCelebrate Diversity in Your Library

Día de los Muertos is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory

"Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras" by Duncan Tonatiuh

Who was José Guadalupe Posada & what does he have to do with Diá de los Muertos?

Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras—skeletons performing various everyday or festive activities—came to be. They are the creation of Mexican artist José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852–1913) who is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe’s, author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity. ~Goodreads


Find Duncan Tonatiuh books in Sora eBooks!

Calaveras are skeletons performing all sorts of activities, both everyday and festive: dancing in the streets, playing instruments in a band, pedaling bicycles, promenading in the park... They are not intended to be frightening, but rather to celebrate the joy of living as well as provide humorous observations about people. ~Funny Bones

Day of the Dead Titles in Sora eBooks:

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"The Festival of Bones/El Festival de las Calaveras" by Luis San Vicente

Skeletons rock, rattle, and roll as they get ready for the biggest event of their social calendar!
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"I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story" by Janice Levy

A young girl is busy helping her family prepare to honor those who have died - but mostly she thinks about and misses her grandfather. The book includes activities and recipes just right for Day of the Dead celebration.
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"Days of the Dead" by Kersten Hamilton

A tender story about grief, faith, and the redemptive power of love.
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"Paper Crafts for Day of the Dead" by Randel McGee

Learn how to make a skull mask, paper marigolds, and a skeleton candy basket...and much more.
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"Dia de Los Muertos" by Roseanne Greenfield

The children in the village are getting ready to celebrate! They decorate with streamers, sugar skulls, and pan de muertos (bread of the dead). The altars are covered in marigolds and candles. Join the festivities and learn about this cultural tradition.
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"Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras" by Duncan Tonatiuh

Funny Bones tells the fascinating story of how the amusing calaveras came to be. This is a GREAT biography of Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada.
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"The Remem-bering Day" by Pat Mora

Author Pat Mora creates an origin myth in which she imagines how the Mexican custom of remembering deceased loved ones came to be. A tender story of the loving relationship between a young girl and her grandmother.
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"Familia Calaca" by Cynthia Weill

Cynthia Weill's bilingual book teaches basic information about relationships while also celebrating the colorful traditions of Day of the Dead.
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"Coco: The Junior Noveliza- tion" by Angela Cervantes

The junior novelization retells the whole exciting movie! A story about friendship, family, and the power of music. (Six "Coco" books to choose from in OverDrive.)

Just for fun...

paper art project - make a calaveras

Have a calaveras pumpkin contest using markers and paints - no carving!

Great Links for Day of the Dead

Teacher Packet - Dia de Los Muertos from AZCentral

Educational Activity Guide - El Dia de Los Muertos from Mexic-Arte

Video - What is Day of the Dead? by National Geographic

Valdez Elementary Dia de Los Muertos Altar

DPS Website 2017

Altars and Ofrendas

"At home, people build an altar with an ofrenda, or offering. They often include a picture of any relatives and friends who have passed away. Many people believe that during el Dia de Muertos the spirit of the deceased travels back from the afterlife to again be with his or her family and friends. Day of the Dead ofrendas are made not only at home; they are also made at schools, libraries, museums, and in other public places. Sometimes they are dedicated to an artist or hero who is no longer alive." ~Duncan Tonatiuh / Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
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Marigolds & Sugar Skulls

Marigold flowers/petals symbolize death and guide the spirits of the deceased to the altar. Sugar skulls are used as an ofrenda (offering) on the altar.
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Candles & Papel Picado

Candles are used to welcome the spirits of the deceased. Papel Picado (perforated paper) is a Mexican folk art that involves cutting out patterns on tissue paper (usually patterns of skulls.)
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Pan de muerto (bread of the dead)

Sweet bread that is the iconic treat of the holiday - often twisted into shapes of bones.

More Popular Day of the Dead Titles:

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"Rosita y Conchita" by Erich Haeger

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"Just in Case" by Yuyi Morales

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"Paquito y Abuelito" by Erich Haeger

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"Maria Molina and the Days of the Dead" by Kathleen Krull

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"Felipa and the Day of the Dead" by Birte Muller

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"The Dead Family Diaz" by P. J. Bracegirdle

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"Dia de los Muertos" by Hannah Eliot

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"Skeletitos: Make Every Moment Count" by Susie Jaramillo

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"The Day of the Dead" by Bob Barner

Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos - October 31 through November 2

Accessing Sora eBooks

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Library Services, Denver Public Schools

Email: libraryhelpdesk@dpsk12.org
Website: etls.dpsk12.org
Location: 1671 S. Acoma St, Denver
Phone: 720.423.1842