From a vibrant celebration of traditional culture and food to a playful multigenerational adventure, these works will charm and engage young readers and their families.
From a vibrant celebration of traditional culture and food to a playful multigenerational adventure, these works will charm and engage young readers and their families.
My Great Great Grandmother by Joaquín Camp. illus. by Joaquín Camp. Orca. Oct. 2026. 40p. tr. from Spanish by Lawrence Schimel. Tr $21.95. ISBN 9781459843912.
PreS-Gr 2–This playfully macabre, multigenerational adventure begins when a young boy—depicted with dark-orange skin and dressed in light blue formal wear—accidentally digs up his great-great-grandmother’s skeleton from his family’s yard. Unphased, he lovingly gives her bones a bath and dresses her up in one of his mother’s T-shirts; together they experience joyrides, music, and lemonade. The increasingly fantastic narrative invites -readers to decide whether this entire situation is a figment of the boy’s imagination; as if the presence of a skeletal great-great-grandmother isn’t surprising enough, she also happens to have a plane and a motorcycle. However, readers will interpret this beautiful and improbable scenario as a wonderful time shared by the boy and his ancestor underscores the value and enduring emotional resonance of familial connections. Illustrations rendered in a limited palette of bold black, reds, oranges, and blues add to the story’s charm; visible marker and watercolor strokes add an intimate, hand-created feel to the pages. Like Disney’s Coco or Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s “Funnybones” series, this whimsical story depicts the afterlife as a charming celebration. Although readers who are sensitive to depictions of skeletons and death may not warm to this title, it strikes a reassuring tone for those who are curious about their departed family members. VERDICT This humorous and touching title is a solid addition to picture book collections and an especially delightful pick for Halloween or Día de los Muertos themed storytimes.
The Día de los Muertos Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate by Andrea Jáuregui De La Torre. illus. by Alejandra Barajas. Quarto/becker&mayer!. (Holiday Celebration). Sept. 2026. 52p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781577158295.
Gr 1 Up–This book is a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture, food, and ¬family traditions centered around Día de los Muertos. Recipes, cultural history, and festive traditions are combined into an engaging and accessible volume for readers of all ages. The illustrations and photography are one of the book’s greatest strengths. Bright colors, beautifully decorated altars, sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, and finished dishes bring the holiday to life. The visuals help readers understand the symbolism and joy associated with this important cultural celebration while making the recipes especially inviting. The cookbook features traditional foods commonly prepared during Día de los Muertos, along with background information. Readers will discover fun facts about offerings placed on ofrendas, the significance of marigolds, and the ways families honor loved ones through food and remembrance. Its successful blend of cooking, cultural education, and storytelling provides meaningful context that deepens appreciation for the traditions behind each dish. VERDICT Recommended for public and school libraries serving families, food enthusiasts, and readers interested in cultural traditions.
A Tanta Wawa for Abuelito: An Andean Day of the Dead Tradition by Sara Andrea Fajardo. illus. by Duda Oliva. HarperCollins. Sept. 2026. 32p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063304192.
PreS-Gr 3–This culturally rich picture book follows young Tortolito as he and his family celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Peruvian Andes. Through Tortolito’s journey to honor his grandfather, readers experience the sensory details of the celebration, from the bustling marketplace filled with tanta wawas—traditional baby-shaped bread—to the candlelit cemetery where families gather to remember their departed loved ones. Oliva offers warm, vibrant, deeply textured artwork that captures the joy, reverence, and complexity of the celebration. The cultural details feel authentic and lovingly portrayed. However, the narrative can be somewhat difficult to follow for younger readers; the story meanders through the day’s events without a clear central conflict, and some younger children may struggle to connect the various scenes and understand the deeper emotional arc. The book’s extensive back matter is exceptional: a thoughtful author’s note addressing grief and ancestral remembrance, detailed information about Andean Day of the Dead traditions, a comprehensive glossary with both Spanish and Quechua terms, and a complete tanta wawa recipe that extends learning beautifully. VERDICT A gorgeous and meaningful addition to library collections seeking to increase or broaden offerings honoring Día de los Muertos.
Skully’s Best Día Ever! by Rhode Montijo. Little, Brown. (Skeletown: Bk. 4). Aug. 2026. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780316465243.
PreS-Gr 1–In Montijo’s latest entry set in the charming Día de los Muertos–inspired -Skeletown, the boisterous Skully is excited to have the best day ever. The skeleton boy breezes past his family and best friend Skelly, who is sidewalk drawing, and launches himself into chaotic adventure after adventure. Accompanied by Wilfredo, a stuffed animal–like creature, the calavera visits the bakery, where he smudges the windows, and pretends to be Super Skully at the park, leaving trouble in his wake. In vibrant pinks, yellows, and oranges, the boy splashes in the fountain, disturbs a mariachi band, and watches a lucha libre match from inside the ring—never realizing how much havoc he’s causing along the way. Eventually, it catches up with him, and his best friend Skelly rescues him, helping him understand that the best day ever occurs anytime he shares it with her. Children will enjoy searching for the title character in the busyness of the spreads and will love following along as Wilfredo warns and protests each of Skully’s rash decisions. The white word bubbles and black-and-white skeleton characters are a striking contrast to the neon colors, making the scenes visually interesting and dynamic. Skully is every preschooler, and readers and adults will recognize his spirited actions every step of the way. Spanish is sprinkled throughout. VERDICT Purchase this rollicking tale for most collections, especially where Montijo’s previous books are popular.
Illustratyion above: SLJ montage/Getty Images