Now that school is back in session and it’s officially fall, my family can’t wait for the leaves to turn, the weather to get cool and to enjoy the holidays that will quickly be here! And not just Halloween either (though we love to dress up) but we’ve also been learning about the Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos.
It’s Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and children throughout the pueblo, or town, are getting ready to celebrate! They decorate with colored streamers, calaveras, or sugar skulls, and pan de muertos, or bread of the dead. There are altars draped in cloth and covered in marigolds and twinkling candles. Music fills the streets. Join the fun and festivities, learn about a different cultural tradition, and brush up on your Spanish vocabulary, as the town honors their dearly departed in a traditional, time-honored style.
My son is in Kindergarten this year and this is one of the books we’re reading right now. It’s for “reading” of course, but also to study other cultures and holidays that are celebrated in the world and community around us.
It’s also helping him/me work on a few new Spanish words, that are used through the story! And at the end of the book is a list of words and their definitions (which is great for older students learning the language).
The graphics are fun and although the subject of the book is spirits coming back to the living for one night and having a party in the cemetery, we didn’t find the story gruesome or scary. The graphics helped keep it light hearted while the story explained the importance of the holiday for those that celebrate it. The author also included a background and the history of Dia de Los Muertos which we discussed as well.
While we won’t be setting up altars or leaving food out for deceased loved ones, I am using it as a learning opportunity. It was a great way to teach us about another culture’s holiday, history, and the special way they prepare for it.
To go along with the book, I created this free Dia de Los Muertos printable for my son to color! I hope your children enjoy them as well!
Be sure to check out Dia de Los Muertos on Amazon today. It would be a fun subject to cover, especially this time of year. It begins on Sunday, November 1st this year and ends on Monday, November 2nd.
What was your child’s favorite part of the book? Tell us in the comments below!
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