Seasonal Stories: FUNNY BONES by Duncan Tonatiuh

Judging from displays in commercial locations and from pop-up pumpkin-shaped sales outlets in vacant parking lots, the Halloween season begins in mid-August and ends with half-price sales on November first. 

Abrams Books for young Readers, 2015

That is, of course, if you observe typical American traditions. 
If, however, you participate in Mexican traditions, November first and second are the important days on the calendar. That's when el Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) recognizes and remembers those who have passed away. Respect and honor are shown for their lives, but it is also a time to celebrate those lives and to recognize that death is the natural end to life, the ending that awaits us all. A party atmosphere prevails.

Instead of trick-or-treating the occasion is marked by creating memory offerings for loved ones, decorated with marigolds. Participants enjoy candy skulls, special bread, and paper cut-outs in the shape of skeletons and skulls. The skeletons have come to be called POSADAS, and they are usually portrayed in a wide variety of comic situations.

POSADA is actually the name of the man who popularized the current versions of the skeletons. FUNNY BONES: Posada and His Day of the Dead CALAVERAS, by Duncan Tonatiuh, reveals his story. The youngest of six children born to a baker, Jose Guadelupe Posada (Lupe) was soon recognized for his remarkable artistic talent. it led him to a lifelong career in various printing businesses, including lithography, engraving, and etching. In the course of a long life with many ups and downs, his images of CALAVERAS became famous for their ability to amuse, provoke political discussions, make social commentary, suggest life lessons, and entertain. He simply signed each one "Posada", the name commonly used now. Although widely respected and successful throughout his life, he was not recognized for his artistic talent and contributions until long after his death, but his works now hang in museums.

 I'm a fan of Tonatiuh's books, not only for their distinctive art style and page designs, but for his ability to enrich the text and content of his work. In nonfiction like this and SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL, or DIEGO RIVERA: HIS WORLD AND OURS, the iconography of the borders, the background patterns and minute details on secondary objects all suggest elements of the research and life stories told in the text. The back matter in these books provide sources and access to further investigation, which the books often inspire. 

His traditional-style tale, PANCHO RABBIT and the COYOTE accomplishes the remarkable  feat of using a seemingly simple child's story to explore the harsh realities of the desperation of children escaping unlivable circumstances and their victimization by those who exploit their tragic lives. In many ways Tonatiuh's work mirrors that of Lupe Posada, in that his blending of serious or somber elements with humor, story and traditional icons allows readers to engage wholeheartedly, then reflect later on other possible meanings.

For other books involving Day of the Dead celebrations and traditions, check this previous post featuring a poignant story that blends fiction with information about the migrations of monarch butterflies, GHOST WINGS by Barbara Joosse.

These are all excellent examples of picture books that offer something for readers at any age, including middle grade and beyond. If you're looking for some ghost stories to share this season, recommendations (and a giveaway until OCT. 14, 2015) are featured on my author website under the NEWS tab, here.

So, there's something for everyone here, and that leaves no excuses for not making reading a centerpiece in your seasonal celebrations.

Mysteries of Life...and Death

Leaves turn, blaze, drop.

Birds flock, feed, migrate.

Animals store, burro, hibernate.

Life cycles.  Instincts.  Mysteries.

Curiosity about these begin early in life. The lucky ones among us never outgrow this curiosity, never cease to be amazed at these patterns and cycles, relishing opportunities to explore and investigate them with children.

Chronicle Books, 2011

A great place to start is with A BUTTERFLY IS PATIENT, written by Diana H. Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long. Check out the Kirkus review, and read it the very first chance you get.

This gorgeous, poetic view of butterflies includes scientifically accurate illustrations, labels, and lyrically described facts as part of the highly acclaimed series of titles by this twosome. The original effort is AN EGG IS QUIET,  which earned awards and acclaim.  Science exploration links for An Egg Is Quiet are offered on many teaching sites. This was followed by  A SEED IS SLEEPY, another acclaimed title. The latest, A ROCK IS LIVELY, is a 2012 release.

Chronicle Books, 2006

Chronicle Books, 2007

Chronicle Books, 2012

Another cycle is evident at this time of year. Halloween pop-up stores fill strip malls, jumbo candy bags overflow on store shelves, and magazine covers feature peeled-grape eyeball snacks, all of which mean that kids will  clamor to share Halloween picture books. Blogs will feature titles from charming to silly to spooky to sentimental, but within a few weeks most will be relegated to closet shelves or holiday storage boxes while Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa books fill displays and blog lists.

Seasonal transitions in nature, especially the highly visible changes here in the midwest,  present perfect opportunities to explore and extend natural curiosity to life cycles, even birth and death. It's an ideal time to share titles like the ones above, titles that can sustain interest and relevance beyond the latest commercial sales push.

Holiday House, 2010

Here are two other titles that are worthy of space on bookshelves year around. THE DAY OF THE DEAD: A Bilingual Celebration, is written and illustrated by Bob Barner, translated by Teresa Mlawer. This is a simple bilingual description of the traditional Day of the Dead commemoration,  including numerous illustration homages to artist Jose Guadalupe Posada's iconic skeletons. The vibrant colors, minimal text, and celebratory images combine with the extended information in the back to make this an interesting and appealing cultural tradition for all readers, and shares Mexican traditions without waiting for Hispanic heritage month in May.
See Kirkus review here.

Chronicle Books, 2001

Every bookshelf should include GHOST WINGS, written by Wisconsin author Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Giselle Potter. As Barbara Joosse always does, she has created a powerful story embedded with rich cultural background. In this case a young girl's close relationship with her grandmother is portrayed in the first few pages. Then the girl deals with stages of grief across several seasons, tying  it all together with the science and tradition of Day of the Dead, monarch migration, and loving memories.  Back matter includes a cultural discussion (with  glossary), science details about monarch butterfly migration,  and a simple guide for adults to explore feelings and activities when reading this book.
Kirkus review here.

In the midst of Halloween sugar highs and strictly seasonal titles, "keepers" like these are the real treat to read,  discuss, reread, and return to throughout the year. After all, death is inevitable, for ourselves and for everyone we care about. Children will be better equipped to deal with the pain and specificity of personal loss when it occurs if they are familiar with the concepts in advance. What better place to find that familiarity than in nature and in books?