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.
