School Library Journal Starred Review
(Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
PreS-Gr 2— Glowing candles illuminate painted sugar skulls. Steam rises from tamales and sweet bread, mingling with the fragrance of marigolds and burning copal. In this reimagining of the well-known nursery rhyme The House That Jack Built , readers observe a brightly animated family assembling an ofrenda for D&7;a de Muertos to celebrate the life of their beloved abuelo who has passed away. Guti&3;rrez's rhythmic, cumulative story is a natural read-aloud, gathering momentum as the family snips colored paper into graceful papel picado, collects treasured mementos, and prepares their abuelo's favorite food. A few Spanish words are seamlessly woven into the narrative, intuitively deciphered by context. Zapata's digitally rendered illustrations are warm and vibrant, mirroring the sensorial experience a traditional ofrenda offers. Comprehensive back matter contains the history of D&7;a de Muertos, notes from the authors and illustrator on their connection to the holiday, visual instructions for readers to make their own ofrenda, and a glossary of the common ofrenda elements. VERDICT A rich, rhythmic ode celebrating D&7;a de Muertos, this read-aloud is recommended for all school and public library holiday collections.— Emily Brush
Kirkus Reviews
A Latine family sets up an altar for DÃa de los Muertos.In rhyming, cumulative verse reminiscent of "The House That Jack Built," the family prepares to honor Abuelo. They start with "the cloth, embroidered by Ama, / that covers the ofrenda that we built." Next comes "the papel, cut with designs, / that graces the cloth, with ornate flowing lines, / that covers the ofrenda that we built." They add candles to "welcome the ancestors in from the night," delicious-looking sugar skulls (which "represent joy and how full life can be"), a copal to awaken the spirits, a bell that the whole family rings to guide the deceased home, and petals to "gather our ancestors in from the cold." Each item holds meaning, conveyed artfully through the text. Finally, we see the last item of the ofrenda: photos of Abuelo, so he can be remembered. The bouncy verse scans well, accompanied by richly hued visuals depicting a loving, brown-skinned family taking part in the festivities. In the authors' and illustrator's notes, the creators discuss the personal significance of this holiday; readers will also find more background on DÃa de los Muertos.A lively and illuminating look at a holiday tradition. (Picture book. 3-6)
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