Day of the Dead Picture Books

From fun and spooky tales to poignant family stories, this collection of Day of the Dead picture books covers a lot of ground.
Updated October 2, 2022
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Funny bones : Posada and his Day of the Dead calaveras
Tonatiuh, Duncan
Paper Book
A Sibert Award Winner, Pura Belpr\u00e9 (Illustrator) Honor Book, New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2015 and International Latino Book Award Finalist! Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras - skeletons performing various everyday or festive...
The spirit of Tío Fernando : a Day of the Dead story
Levy, Janice
Paper Book
It's the Day of the Dead and Nando and his mother are going to honor Tío Fernando. Nando, named for Uncle Fernando, listens as his mother tells him that later, at the cemetery, they will meet with Tío Fernando's spirit. SPANISH DESCRIPTION
Gustavo, the shy ghost
Drago, Flavia Z.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season -- or anytime. Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through...
Calavera abecedario : a Day of the Dead alphabet book
Winter, Jeanette
Paper Book
Every year Don Pedro and his family make papier-mâché skeletons, or calaveras, for Mexico's Day of the Dead fiesta. From the Angel and Doctor to the Mariachi and Unicornio, there's a special calavera for each letter of the alphabet. Come dance with them! Includes a glossary of...
A gift for Abuelita : celebrating the Day of the Dead
Luenn, Nancy
Paper Book
The love and rituals surrounding the Mexican folk holiday-- The Day of the Dead.
Felipa y el Dia de los Muertos
Müller, Birte
Paper Book
Now available in a Spanish language edition, this story about a youngster coming to terms with her grandmother's death focuses on the Day of the Dead holiday celebrated throughout much of Latin America.
The Day of the Dead = El Día de los Muertos
Barner, Bob
Paper Book
Follow two children as they celebrate their ancestors on this vibrant holiday. They offer marigolds, sugar skulls, and special bread, and make delicious foods. By spreading marigold petals, they guide the dead home to join the festivities. Finally, after singing and dancing, it's time for bed. Bob...
The festival of bones = El festival de las calaveras : the little-bitty book for the day of the dead
San Vicente, Luis
Paper Book
Mexico's Day of the Dead fascinates U.S readers, whether for its joyful celebration of an unusual tradition or because it simply feels like home. San Vicente lets children join the celebration as they watch the skeletons rock, rattle, and roll those long old bones as they get ready for the...
Just in case : a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book
Morales, Yuyi
Paper Book
From three-time Pura Belpré Winner Yuyi Morales, a delightful alphabet picture book about a Día de los Muertos skeleton who must find the perfect birthday gift (or gifts!) A 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year Winner of the 2009 Pura Belpré Medal for...
Día de los muertos
Thong, Roseanne
Paper Book
El Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here--a holiday for celebrating the lives of departed family and friends. Altars are decorated with sugar skulls and marigolds. Tamales and sweets are ready to eat. Soon it will be time for picnics, music, and a costume parade! Come join in these joyful and...
Just a minute : a trickster tale and counting book
Morales, Yuyi
Paper Book
In this original trickster tale, Senor Calavera arrives unexpectedly at Grandma Beetle's door. He requests that she leave with him right away. "Just a minute," Grandma Beetle tells him. She still has one house to sweep, two pots of tea to boil, three pounds of corn to make into tortillas -- and that...
Day of the Dead
Johnston, Tony
Paper Book
Above a small town in Mexico, the sun rises like a great marigold, and one family begins preparations for an annual celebration, El día de los muertos, the Day of the Dead. Soon they will go out into the night, join their neighbors, and walk to the graveyard to welcome the spirits of their loved...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.