Día de Muertos: Números: A Day of the Dead Counting Book

by Duncan Tonatiuh

Overview

Count up to ten in this bilingual picture book celebrating Día de Muertos / Day of the Dead from award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh

From award-winning and beloved author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes this celebratory bilingual picture book centering on a Día de Muertos ofrenda (Day of the Dead altar), constructed annually to honor the memory and welcome the spirit of a loved one. The book uses a counting structure, from one to ten, to focus on family members and their offerings, with a finale that opens to reveal the family gathered around the fully decorated ofrenda with all of their offerings. Included at the back of the book is a brief author’s note that lends additional context on the holiday.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647008246
Publisher:	Abrams
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	24
File size:	24 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Duncan Tonatiuh (toh-nah-tee-YOU) is an award-winning author-illustrator. He is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and graduated from Parsons School of Design and Eugene Lang College in New York City. His artwork is inspired by pre-Columbian art. His aim is to create images and stories that honor the past, but are relevant to today’s people, especially children. He currently lives in San Miguel with his family but travels in the United States often.

Editorial Reviews

07/31/2023

Combining a concept book with cultural elements, Tonatiuh follows the building of a Día de Muertos ofrenda in this collaborative bilingual counting book. From “una foto/ one photo” to “nueve papeles picados/ nine cut-paper banners,” the reader follows an array of Latinx-cued figures, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones, making additions that culminate in a bountiful altar full of food and drink, marigolds, and sugar skulls, among other items. The creator’s signature Mesoamerican-inspired art here leans into gray tones and textured purples and oranges, building to an elaborate double gatefold of 10 individuals “remembering a loved one with a beautiful altar.” Twining counting and language elements with holiday observance, it’s a layered celebration that’s just right for youngest readers. Ages 3–5. (May)

Publishers Weekly

***STARRED REVIEW***
"[T]his tale will delight readers... A charming concept and holiday book—count on this one to be a future favorite." —Kirkus

"Tonatiuh has created a wonderful counting book that is visually appealing and educational...Written in Spanish and English, it presents many opportunities for readers to learn about the holiday and its rich traditions, as well as to learn counting...A great choice for libraries looking to add holiday or counting books to their collection for younger children." —School Library Journal

Tonatiuh’s stylized mixed-media illustrations, inspired by the same pre-Columbian art traditions as his cultural and historical retellings will draw readers in.This clever counting book introduces this important part of Día de Muertos celebrations in an accessible and eye-catching format. —Horn Book

From the Publisher

Tonatiuh’s stylized mixed-media illustrations, inspired by the same pre-Columbian art traditions as his cultural and historical retellings will draw readers in.This clever counting book introduces this important part of Día de Muertos celebrations in an accessible and eye-catching format.

Horn Book

★ 2023-03-14
A bilingual English-Spanish counting book that explores and honors Dia de los Muertos.

A family adds to their home ofrenda, an altar honoring loved ones who have died. With each page turn, the number of items grows by one—the family starts with “una fota” (“one photo”), then adds “dos incensarios” (“two incense burners”), “tres bebidas” (“three beverages”), and more. The simple and unadorned ofrenda soon becomes more elaborate and abundant as the family heaps on pan de muerto, marigolds, candles, and sugar skulls. Both a counting book and a primer on building a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda, this tale will delight readers with each new addition to the altar. Images are brought to life with Tonatiuh’s signature collage style. Bold graphics gain depth from overlaid textures of papers, fabric, wood, and other more subtle images such as grains of sugar. The distinctive pre-Colombian–inspired character profiles and strong linework create magnetic visual interest. The heart of the holiday, “remembering a loved one with a beautiful altar,” shines delightfully. A brief author’s note provides more background about where, when, and how Dia de los Muertos is celebrated. This Latine family includes a wheelchair user who participates in the celebration. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charming concept and holiday book—count on this one to be a future favorite. (Concept book. 2-6)

Kirkus Reviews