Día de Muertos has been a staple at my library over the last few years. Even when we were (mostly) closed during the pandemic last fall, we assembled a library-themed ofrenda for our children’s room. An ofrenda is a space set aside to remember loved ones who have passed. Last year ours included pictures of important Latinx figures, such as the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) and the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City Pura Belpré (1899-1982).
Here are 20 Día de Muertos picture books created by Latinx authors and/or illustrators. I’m so excited to see how many have been published just in the last few years, even during the pandemic. Are these books in your library? Have other titles to suggest? Leave a comment below!
Just in Case by Yuyi Morales
Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon | WorldCat
Just a Minute by Yuyi Morales
Barrilete by Elisa Amado and Joya Hairs
Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
Gustavo el Fantasmita Tímido by Flavia Z. Drago
Little Astrology Catrinas by Mariana Galvez
La Catrina Numbers/Números by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Citlali Reyes
La Catrina Colors/Colores by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Citlali Reyes
La Catrina Vowels/Vocales by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Citlali Reyes
La Catrina Emotions/Emociones by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Citlali Reyes
La Divina Catrina by Aracely De Alvarado and Claudia Navarro
The Spirit of Tío Fernando by Janice Levy and Morella Fuenmayor
The Festival of Bones by Luis San Vicente
I Remember Abuelito / Yo Recuerdo Abuelito by Janice Levy, Loretta Lopez, and Miguel Arisa
Día de los Muertos by Hannah Eliot and Jorge Gutierrez
Funny Bones by Duncan Tonatiuh
Miguel and the Grand Harmony by Matt de la Peña and Ana Ramírez
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Skeletitos by Susie Jaramillo
IndieBound | Amazon | WorldCat
Día de los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Carles Ballesteros
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Día de Los Muertos by Alicia Salazar
Bookshop | IndieBound | Amazon | WorldCat
Kidlit & Caboodle 