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
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Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
Duncan Tonatiuh
Paper Book
Discover the story behind José Guadalupe Posada's iconic Día de Muertos skeletons in this fascinating picture book from award-winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh.   New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year * Robert F....
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost
Flavia Z. Drago
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...
Beto and The Bone Dance
Gina Freschet
Paper Book
A fantastic encounter on the Day of the Dead. Today is Beto's favorite holiday -- the Day of the Dead. First, he and his father craft an altar at home in honor of Beto's recently departed grandmother, filled with the things she loved in life. Later, it's off to the cemetery, where at midnight all...
Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Dead
Judy Goldman
Paper Book
A family celebrates Día de Muertos, a holiday for remembering those who have passed. When the monarch butterflies return to her Mexican countryside, Lupita knows that Día de Muertos, "the Day of the Dead," is near. She and her favorite uncle watch the butterflies flutter in the trees. When a...
The Remembering Day / El dia de los muertos (English and Spanish Edition)
Pat Mora
Paper Book
Long, long, long ago, Bella and her grandmother Mamá Alma admired their vegetable garden. They liked gardening together. They grew sunflowers and lilies too, and chatted with lizards and hummingbirds. They walked around the flowers and vegetables holding hands, something they had done frequently...
Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book
Jeanette Winter
Paper Book
Every year Don Pedro and his family make papier-mache skeletons, or calaveras, for Mexico's Day of the Dead fiesta. FromAngel andDoctor to Mariachi andUnicornio, each letter of the alphabet has its...
Gift For Abuelita / Un regalo para Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of the Dead/En celebracion del Dia de los Muertos (English, Multilingual and Spanish Edition)
Nancy Luenn
Paper Book
The love and rituals surrounding the Mexican folk holiday-- The Day of the Dead.
The Day of the Dead / El día de los muertos
Bob Barner
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 the Bones / El festival de las calaveras
Luis San Vicente
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
Yuyi Morales
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...
Clatter Bash!: A Day of the Dead Celebration
Richard Keep
Paper Book
Get ready for a rollicking Day of the Dead celebration! Graveyard skeletons shake, rattle, and roll as a Mexican family marks the annual Day of the Dead holiday. ? ?[A zesty look at a special night.? ?School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW At dusk on the holiday...
Día de los muertos
Roseanne Greenfield Thong
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...
Barrilete: A Kite for the Day of the Dead
Elisa Amado
Paper Book
-- The touching story of a boy honoring the memory of his grandfather
Just a Minute! A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
Yuyi Morales
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...

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