13 Children's Books About Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) + Video
Updated: Jan 15
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Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is not the same as Halloween. Day of the Dead is a special two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations. (via Day of the Dead website)
Disney/Pixar's Coco was an introduction to the Day of the Dead celebration for many people. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a great one to watch. (But be warned! If you're sentimental, you may shed a few tears because this one can definitely tug at your heartstrings).
Related Reading: 13 Not-So-Spooky Halloween Picture Books For Children
The following books provide children with a great introduction about the holiday, as well as providing an opportunity for children who celebrate the holiday to see their traditions reflected and honored. Some of the books are more informational while others are more geared for fun, but they all combine to make a great collection. Happy Reading!
A family honors their living and dead relatives as they celebrate this holiday with shared food and stories.
The Day of the Dead is a happy day when Mar's family gathers together. There are favorite dishes to enjoy, games to be played, and most importantly, stories to tell. No one in the family is forgotten because this is the day of the year when the dead come to visit the living--and for this holiday it is almost as if they're alive again, as the family takes great joy in celebrating the things that made them special. Mar realizes she is just like her Grandpa Ramón, who kept a journal. And her sister, Paz, plays accordian, just like their great-grandfather. There are so many things that connect them all--and at dinner, Abuelita spins even more stories that make them feel close to the ones they will love forever. Ana Aranda's tender text and vibrant art make the joy felt on this sweet day totally palpable.
Find it here: Bookshop
On Día de los Muertos, we dance, decorate, and celebrate the reunion of the living and the dead! We line the street with glowing candles, display pictures to honor the loved ones no longer with us, play fun music, and more. Learn about more The Day of the Dead traditions while also practicing counting numbers 1-10. Wiggle and waggle the plush finger puppet as the characters in the story dance around. Children will love the adorable and interactive hand puppet toy, making for an engaging story or bedtime experience.
Check out more finger puppet books for babies and older from Cottage Door Press!
The colorful skull finger puppet encourages interactive play and helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Fun rhyming story entertains while teaching language patterns to babies and toddlers in their first years.
Practice hand-eye coordination. Beautiful illustrations with bright coloring help keep your toddler engaged.
Babies and toddlers learn best when they are playing, especially when their grown-ups are in on the fun.
A great finger puppet book for birthdays, Dia de los Muertos, baby showers, and more.
Find it here: Bookshop
Celebrate life, family, and friends with the rich traditions of this special day!
It's Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and children throughout the pueblo, or town, are getting ready to celebrate! They decorate with colored streamers, calaveras, or sugar skulls, and pan de muertos, or bread of the dead. There are altars draped in cloth and covered in marigolds and twinkling candles. Music fills the streets. Join the fun and festivities, learn about a different cultural tradition, and brush up on your Spanish vocabulary, as the town honors their dearly departed in a traditional, time-honored style.
SPANISH DESCRIPTION
Es el Día de los Muertos y todos los niños del pueblo y ciudad están listos para celebrar! Decoran con calaveras lo calavera de azucar, pan de muertos y banderas. Hay altares cubriertos de manta con muchas flores, y velas parpadiendo. Musica llena las calles. Hay que unirse con los festivales y abrender una diferente cultura y traduciones y repasar el vocabulario en español, mientras el pueblo honra sus queridos en una tradución con el transcurso y con el estilo del tiempo.
Find it here: Bookshop
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--especially her grandfather. She misses him very much and is excited for his spirit to visit that night.
SPANISH DESCRIPTION
Es el Día de los Muertos. Es tiempo de celebrar! En este libro biligua una niña joven esta ocupada ayudando a su familia preparar en los que han muerto--especialmente su abuelo. Ella lo estraña mucho y está con mucho emoción que su espirito venga de visita está noche.
Find it here: Bookshop
Long ago in what would come to be called Mexico, as Mama Alma and her granddaughter, Bella, recall happy times while walking in the garden they have tended together since Bella was a baby, Mama Alma asks that after she is gone her family remember her on one special day each year. Includes facts about The Remembering Day, El dia de los muertos.
Find it here: Amazon
A fresh, funny take on the Day of the Dead that's packed with kid appeal
Every skeleton in the Land of the Dead is excited to celebrate el Día de los Muertos with the Living. But not Angelito. His big sister has told him all about their horrifying bulgy eyes and squishy skin. So when Angelito is separated from his family in the Land of the Living, he's petrified--until he makes a new friend who is just as terrified of THEM as Angelito is. Then his new buddy turns out to be (gulp!) a living boy! Angelito runs as fast as his bony feet can carry him. Fortunately the traditions of the Day of the Dead reunite the two boys, just in time for some holiday fun.
Full of wild Tim Burton-esque art, this clever tale is sure to become un libro favorito for the Day of the Dead, Halloween season, and beyond.