Día de los Muertos: Day of the Dead

Día de los Muertos is an important two-day celebration that reunites the living and the dead. Primarily a Mexican tradition that dates back thousands of years, the celebration has its roots in the Aztec Empire. 

This holiday is not to be confused with Halloween’s fright night. Día de los Muertos is all about families. It’s about remembering loved ones who have passed and creating offerings to encourage visits from the land of the dead to come join the celebration! 

Taking place November 1-2 (though sometimes including October 31, depending on the location), the first day celebrates the Spirits of the Children, followed by the Spirits of the Adults, and then at midday, encompasses All Spirits in public celebration. This is a beautiful experience, shifting from mourning to the celebration of loved ones.

Learn more about this special holiday:

• Day of the Dead by Kitty Williams – A creative look at the art and family traditions that play a vital role in this celebration
• Day of the Dead Crafts: More Than 24 Projects That Celebrate Día de los Muertos by Jerry Vigil – Includes projects that focus on traditional crafts, while making use of currently available materials
• Día de los Muertos by Roseanne Thong – Children will adore this book with its colorful illustrations. While not strictly bilingual, the story does incorporate some use of Spanish, adding to it richness.
• Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatuih – A children’s book that is perfect for adults as well! Beautifully illustrated and very informative, this book shares the history of the Posadas mastered art. 

 Plus, a movie is a must!

• Coco – Perfect for the whole family, the story follows a young boy named Miguel who dreams of being a musician. A multi-generational ban prevents him from doing so, so Miguel embarks on an adventure to uncover the truth and finds himself in the colorful land of the dead.

Lisa P.
Information and Reader Services