This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story (Day of the Dead)

by John Parra, John Parra (Illustrator)

Overview

Through all moments of the day, both large and small, a boy prepares for a Day of the Dead celebration, in this “comforting” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) and “heartfelt…both gentle and profound” (School Library Journal) picture book from Pura Belpré Honor–winning author-illustrator John Parra.

A single day in a boy’s life is filled with family, love, and inspiration as he prepares for the Día de Muertos celebration and remembers that all moments are special. Each moment reminds us of our family and those who have gone before us. Today holds a special promise, una promesa especial.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665948258
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	193 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

John Parra is an award-winning illustrator, designer, author, and educator. For his children’s illustration work he has received three American Library Association Pura Belpré Honors. His books include Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown, which earned a New York Times Best Illustrated Book designation; Green Is a Chile Pepper, written by Roseanne Thong, which received the Américas Book Award; Spanish Is the Language of My Family, written by Michael Genhart, which received seven starred reviews and the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award; Hey, Wall, written by Susan Verde; The Power of Her Pen, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome; and his authorial debut Growing an Artist, which was the recipient of the Christopher Award and the Américas Award. Learn more at JohnParraArt.com.

Editorial Reviews

* Parra celebrates the ephemeral in this comforting observance of Día de los Muertos.... Each spread makes the most of the moment, reflecting in English and italicized Spanish on every occurrence and the child’s perception of it, and aptly underlining themes of intergenerational connection, mindfulness, and remembrance.

6/9/25 - Publishers Weekly

[A] tender tale that embraces life’s small and monumental moments alike.... Strikingly affectionate.

5/1/25 - Kirkus

Parra’s book veers away from a basic lesson on Dia de los Muertos, and instead offers a story featuring the tiny, seemingly insignificant moments that acts more as reflection on how small tasks and minute joys make up a day, and collectively, a life.

July 2025 - BCCB

A beautiful and reflective read, perfect for celebrating Día de Muertos or simply savoring life’s precious moments. Purchase to enrich holiday collections.

6/1/25 - School Library Journal

2025-04-04
A boy celebrates the moments that make up a day during Día de los Muertos.

Under the light of a crescent moon, the child sits in the quiet of the early hours. Ghostly white paint covers his brown face and hands, an echo of a calavera. “Today holds a special promise.Una promesa especial.” He and his family eat tamales, avocados, and eggs for breakfast. Then, it’s a mad dash to catch the bus—with its “Oaxaca” sign on top—to school, where history, geography, science, and art all spark his imagination. He’s filled with awe as he runs back to town amid a storm. His friends are waiting. “They like me for me. I like them for them.Nos apreciamos.” And so it goes in this tender tale that embraces life’s small and monumental moments alike—a sweet reinforcement of the holiday’s emphasis on family, memories, and love. With a steady tone and pace, Parra measures the boy’s day from heartbeat to heartbeat, word to word. Reading a book, cultivating a garden, jamming with the band—each moment builds to the next until it’s time for his visiting Abuela to say goodbye. Later, everyone comes together to celebrate and honor loved ones, carrying photographs in their hands and smiles on their bone-white and rich brown faces. The graceful acrylic artwork overall favors movement and muted colors to great effect.

Strikingly affectionate. (author’s note)(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews