Bring to life the vibrance and color of Mexican culture with the holiday Día de Los Muertos. Día de Los Muertos, otherwise known as the Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated the day after Halloween. It brings together families to pay respect to family members who have passed on. The traditions of the day or days are bright, colorful, and take the time to honor and remember those who have died.
There are many cultural traditions and stories that make up the holiday and showcase how much the holiday means to its people. Many sources of popular media have taken on the story of the holiday and shared the traditions with people to learn about it. However, for kids, when they think of the Day of the Dead, one story comes to mind, Disney’s Coco, but there are more stories and avenues that they can venture into. Here are 7 children’s books that follow a similar storyline and feel to Coco while also offering a different approach to the celebration.
Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story by Mariana Rios Ramirez, Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Capturing the vibrant and colorful story of Día de Los Muertos is Abuelita’s Gift by Mariana Ríos Ramírez and Sara Palacios. This book is meant for children ages 4-8 and acts as a more personal story about the traditions of the holiday. Abuelita’s Gift follows a young girl, Julieta, who is trying to honor abuelita’s spirit on Día de Los Muertos, but she struggles to find the perfect gift. This story is one that celebrates ancestors and teaches you that tributes to those you love come from the heart. Ramirez and Palacios create a beautiful, uplifting story about life, death, family, and the memories that tie us to those who are gone. Discover the story passed down through generations and honor the heritage showcased.
Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda
Looking for a family-centered celebration of the holiday? Then you should read Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda. This book is for kids from 3 to 7 years old and is a quick, easy read that is perfect for bedtime. Our Day of the Dead Celebration focuses on a family that honors their living and dead relatives as they celebrate the holiday, Día de Los Muertos, with shared food and stories. This story makes those reading it feel close to the main characters and teaches the value that those who they have lost will be close to them forever. Aranda writes and draws with vibrancy and warmth that make the joy of the festive holiday come to life. Our Day of the Dead Celebration is a great tribute to the holiday and is a great addition to the list for bedtime stories.
The Festival of Bones by Luis San Vicente
Taking a little different approach to teaching about the Day of the Dead is The Festival of Bones by Luis San Vicente. This story is meant for those 4 to 7 years old and evokes the spirit of the Festival in a way kids can understand. Vicente writes the book into two different sections that complement each other well and work to bring the story of the holiday to life. The first half of the book is a poetic picture book style with illustrations and words in both English and Spanish. The second half is filled with information about the Day of the Dead, traditions, how to build an ofrenda, poems, and recipes. Vicente’s book is great for exploring other cultures with children and gives them two different ways to understand/celebrate the holiday.
The Dead Family Diaz by P. J. Bracegirdle and Illustrated by Poly Bernatene
To read something a little more with a kid appeal, The Dead Family Diaz by P. J. Bracegirdle and illustrated by Poly Bernatene is the book for you. This book is for ages 6 to 9 and is a colorful story to teach about the Day of the Dead. The Dead Family Diaz is a funny take on the festive holiday that is packed full of excitement and jokes aimed towards kids. The story is full of wild art and a clever storyline to create a memorable tale. Bracegirdle and Bernatene take a more fictional approach to Día de Los Muertos while also keeping the theme of the traditions and festivities. Take a different approach to the holiday and experience this fun story about a different culture.
Día de Los Muertos Puppet Book by Rosie Pajaro and Illustrated by Gaby Zermeno
Bring to life the story with Día de Los Muertos Puppet Book by Rosie Pajaro and illustrated by Gaby Zermeno. This book is a children’s finger puppet board book meant for ages 1 to 4. In this book, children will get to understand the traditions of the holiday while also experiencing it. With your fingers placed in the puppet, you get to play the main character and dance around in the book. Discover the traditions of dance, decorations, and food that all go along with the Day of the Dead. Learn about the holiday as well as practice counting numbers 1-10 in this colorful visual book. Fall in love with the interactive hand puppet and read this engaging story for the best bedtime experience.
Celebrating Día de Los Muertos: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids by Melanie Stuart-Campbell
Celebrating Día de los Muertos: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids by Melanie Stuart-Campbell takes a unique place in sharing the traditions of the Day of the Dead and gives more than just a story. This book is meant for kids ages 6 to 9 and is a fun activity book to introduce them to the holiday. Celebrating Día de Los Muertos: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids shares with kids the way to celebrate, like with food, music, parades, and storytelling, while also providing hands-on activities for them to try at home. Campbell uses pictures and facts to help children discover the different aspects of Día de Los Muertos and excites them to bring the traditions home. This story is a quick read and simple for children to understand and enjoy reading.
Celebrate the Day of the Dead! by Diane de Anda and Illustrated by Gloria Felix
The perfect introduction book for kids for the Day of the Dead is Celebrate the Day of the Dead! by Diane de Anda and illustrated by Gloria Felix. This book is for babies to children 3 years old and can introduce the younger readers to the holiday. Celebrate the Day of the Dead! is aimed at talking directly to a younger audience to help them follow along as everyone remembers their loved ones who are no longer with them. Anda and Felix use vibrant illustrations and the power of language to express the festive spirit of the celebration as well as the importance of family. Combining the story with traditions as well as facts reinforces the significance of the culture depicted in the book and creates a story that kids can understand. If you are unfamiliar with the traditions associated with Día de Los Muertos, this book is the perfect introduction to the holiday.
Día de Los Muertos is a special day for many all around the world and focuses on recognizing family or friends who should be remembered and honored. Bring home the traditions and culture of the holiday through these selected books, and bring your own family together. Experience the lively celebration with those around you and remember/ honor those that you may have lost. Through these stories, the belief that those who have passed are not gone but rather live in memory rings true and highlights the holiday. As told in Coco, recognize the importance of family, and hold them in your heart to remember them, for they are never truly that far.
Want to learn more about Día de Los Muertos? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Hispanic/ Latinx Recommendations: Bedtime Stories, Poetry, and Novels bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
