Friday, October 23, 2015

Dia de Los Muertos

Roseanne Greenfield Thong
pictures by Carles Ballesteros
Albert Whitman & Company, 2015



This beautiful book is a work of art and brings to life the Day of the Dead celebration. Roseanne Greenfield Thong always does a wonderful job of lyrically and succinctly describing the Hispanic culture, as can be seen in Green is a Chile Pepper: a Book of Colors and Round is a Tortilla: a Book of Shapes (both ill. by John Parra, to be reviewed jointly soon). Altars, sugar skulls, candles, petals, calendulas (marigolds used traditionally), papel picado, tamales, atole, pan de muerto, and much more is mentioned beautifully throughout the book, which includes Spanish terms throughout. Famous historical and legendary figures are mentioned and illustrated, such as Pancho Villa, Frida Kahlo and La Llorona. The history of the celebration, dating back hundreds of years, is illustrated, and the author does a good job of showing that the celebration is dedicated to celebrating and remembering those we love who are no longer with us. An informative author’s note and glossary make this book a perfect resource on El Día de los Muertos.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Star Wars Reads Day IV

Looking for ideas for the fourth annual Star Wars Reads Day on October 10th?

Check out my post at Cosplay, Comics, and Geek Culture in Libraries.

May The Books Be With You.