El Dia de los Muertos Books for Kids

Monday, November 22, 2021

Chapter Books:


La Guitarra de Miguel=Miguel's Guitar adapted by R.J. Cregg, translated by Mariel Lopez-Mota, and illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team

Miguel's family no longer accepts music into their lives but will he change their minds once they see how powerful it can truly be. 




Days of the Dead by Kersten Hamilton

Everything has changed in Glorieta Magdalena Davis Espinosa's life the day her mother takes her own life. She wants to remember her Mami on el Día de los Muertos but her family members don't believe her mother is worth remembering. How can she change their minds and show them the importance of forgiveness?



Disney/Pixar Coco: The Story of the Movie in Comics script adapted by Jai Nitz, art by Tony Sandoval, colored by Alesia Barsukova, and designed by Chris Dickey

When Miguel plays a special guitar and is transported into the world of El Día de los Muertos, he goes on a quest to discover the reason his family banned music in their lives.




Non-fiction:



Fall Holidays by Julie Murray








My Family Celebrates Day of the Dead by Lisa Bullard

Includes a selection of four different stories about El Día de los Muertos






Day of the Dead by Julie Murray








Day of the Dead by Rebecca Pettiford

Perfect for beginning readers since there are only one to two sentences on each page and there are illustrations throughout.





Coco the Essential Guide by Glenn Dakin

Learn more about Coco with fun facts and beautifully detailed artwork. 







Festivals and Celebrations by Caryn Jenner

This is a great choice for kids learning to read on their own or with assistance.







Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh

Learn more about the Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada and his iconic calaveras.





The Day of the Dead=El Día de los Muertos written by Bob Barner and translated by Teresa Mlawer

A cheerful picture book for reading aloud.




The Festival of Bones=El Festival de las Calaveras: The Little-Bitty Book for the Day of the Dead written by Luis San Vicente, and translated by John William Byrd and Bobby Byrd

A poem to celebrate El Día de los Muertos.



The Vigil of the Little Angels: Day of the Dead in Mexico by Mary Andrade

Learn how the children from the island of Janitzio celebrate El Día de los Muertos.






Music and Media:



Gustavo the Shy Ghost DVD (Dreamscape Media)








Coco DVD (Disney Presents a Pixar Animation Studios Film)








Coco the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Music CD (Pixar)









-Iris/Cara

at November 22, 2021 0 comments

Native American Heritage Month

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

It's Native American Heritage Month in November! Let's celebrate it now and all year long with these selected books. Learn something you never knew before and find a new favorite.



*Soft Rain: A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Cornelia Cornelissen

In 1838 in the United States, nine-year-old Soft Rain and her family are demanded to leave their home and everything they've ever known. This story describes the heart-wrenching journey (The Trail of Tears) that many many Native Americans were forced to travel. 

*Available to request from libraries outside of Worcester

*Cherokee



Fry Bread: A Native American Family Tradition written by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

The use of the different ingredients and characteristics of fry bread is a metaphor for the values of family life, togetherness, and celebration of Native Americans. Rich in language and facts and lovingly illustrated with soft, colorful hues.

Bonus: The names of all of the different Native American nations are written inside the front and back covers of the book.

Also available on DVD


I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day


Even though Edie's grandparents are white, she knows that there's something about her family that's different. When she finds a box of photographs that feature a woman who looks just like her and has her name, she learns that she was right all along.





The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich


Follow Omakayas ("Little Frog") and her pioneer family in 1847 as they survive hardships and prove the strength of courage and sticking together. 

Also available in large type format

*Ojibwa




Yetsa's Sweater written by Sylvia Olsen and illustrated by Joan Larson


A grandmother teaches her granddaughter the intricacies involved in making a sweater.

Available to request from libraries outside of Worcester

*Cowichan






SkySisters written by Jan Bordeau Waboose and illustrated by Brian Deines

Two sisters witness the amazing phenomena of the SkySpirits.

Available to request from libraries outside of Worcester

*Ojibway



Brother Eagle, Sister Sky written by Chief Seattle with paintings by Susan Jeffers

Chief Seattle shows his great love for our Earth and the role we must take on to protect it. 

*Suquamish





We Are Water Protectors written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade

Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal that expresses how crucial it is to take care of our planet.

Also available in eBook format





Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Malian and her family learn to survive Covid-19.

*Wabanaki







Soldier Sister, Fly Home written by Nancy Bo Flood and illustrated by Shonto Begay

When Tess' sister Gaby is deployed to Iraq she has to learn how to grow up without her.

Available from libraries outside of Worcester

*Navajo





Native Women of Courage by Kelly Fournel

Learn about the contributions of Native Women including: 

-Sarah Winnemucca (Paiute) - First Native American woman to write and publish a book.

-Maria Tallchief (Osage) - Prima ballerina with the New York City Ballet.

-Mary Kim Titla (Apache) - First Native American television news reporter in Arizona

and more!

Available to request from libraries outside of Worcester



Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Ša, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist adapted by Gina Capaldi and Q.L. Pearce and illustrated by Gina Capaldi


A true story compiled of the writings of the enthralling life of Zitkala-Ša, a legendary woman of the Yankton-Sioux tribe. 

Bonus: look for a red bird in all of the pages of the book!

Also available as an eBook through Overdrive




-Cynthia/Cara

at November 03, 2021 0 comments
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