While many families are shopping for last minute costumes and carving pumpkins for Halloween, millions of Latinx families across the United States, Mexico and other Latin American countries are decorating sugar skulls, purchasing cempasúchil (marigold flowers), decorating graves and preparing their ofrendas (altars) to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
From October 27 through November 2, families celebrate the life of loved ones who have passed away, including pets, during this annual holiday. Although the dates coincide with the Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day (Nov 1) & All Souls' Day (Nov 2), the holiday has roots in Mexica/Aztec traditions and dates back hundreds of years.
Here are some books to celebrate this extraordinary holiday.
Teach your little one their numbers, vowels, colors and emotions with a series of colorful board books named after the infamous Dia de los Muertos persona, La Catrina.
Dia De Los Muertos is another delightful board book with gorgeous illustrations and a fun finger puppet.
Spanish speaking readers will enjoy Skeletina y el Entremundo, a picture book about the world where the living and the dead reunite.
Our Day of the Dead Celebration captures the true spirit of the holiday and the importance of family traditions.
Author Flavia Z. Drago combines Halloween and Día de los Muertos perfectly in Gustavo, the Shy Ghost.
What are some of your family's traditions to honor loved ones who have passed away?
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