NummyBooks

Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Dead

Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Dead

Judy Goldman

Illustr. René King Moreno

Ages 4-8

Hardcover, 32 pages

11.1 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches

Boyds Mills Press

$16.95

ISBN: 978-1590784259

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As a longtime advocate of bilingual books for children, I’m always pleased to see a book in English that celebrates the customs and beliefs of non-English-speaking countries, using the words and linguistic flavor of that country’s language. This book does that admirably, with a couple of significant missed opportunities which end up distancing readers from an authentic feeling for the holiday that forms the context of this story: The Day of the Dead, or El Dia de los Muertos .

Having grown up in Texas where the delicious food and the colorful holidays, music, and dance of Mexico abounded, I was disappointed not to find in this book any depictions of calacas, the artful, often funny skeleton figurines central to many family altars on El Dia de los Muertos, which takes place on November 1st and 2nd. The natural place for illustrations of calacas and calaveras would have been with the essay, “Dia de Muertos,” where they are described. Both words are absent from the glossary. Within this essay, a calavera is defined as a humorous poem, but more commonly refers to the decorated sugar skulls that characterize the holiday.)

It seems a decision was made to keep the focus on Lupita’s story of her relationship with Uncle Monarch, and her discovery about death and loss. But the essay’s explanation that “Many Mexicans tends to see death differently from those in other countries or cultures,” indicates a sidestepping of responsibility on the part of author and editor. There is mention in the essay that families erect altars in their living rooms on this holiday, but such an altar is not depicted anywhere in the book. Such handling of “different seeing” deprives readers of an opportunity to have their views challenged and broadened by contact with the customs and beliefs of others – fertile ground for family and class discussions that might encourage tolerance and celebrate diversity. Rather than embracing the irony, humor, and even joy with which Mexicans remember and celebrate the departed, the book gives a somewhat sanitized and sweetened view of El Dia de los Muertos. Teachers and parents wanting to illuminate the holiday for children may wish to pair this book with others that reveal the festive atmosphere of this time of year in the countries celebrating it. Two such books are El Dia de Los Muertos: The Day of the Dead, from Scholastic’s Rookie Read-About Holidays series and Calavera Abecedario.

All that somewhat petulantly said, I appreciated the authentic portrayal of loss and learning at the heart of this book. Lupita’s grief at her Uncle Monarch’s death rings true, as does her lifting of spirit when she’s reminded of him by a glimpse of his namesake butterfly. (See my review of another picture book about understanding death and loss, Ocho Loved Flowers.)

The illustrations by Rene King Moreno have a soft, almost unfinished quality that evokes a loving sense of family and community, as well as suggesting that only a thin veil hangs between this world and the next.

A sweet story of love, loss, and the search for meaning through remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

See a video showing different people in Mexico erecting altars in honor of Dia de los Muertos.

See a video showing calaveras, brightly decorated sugar skulls, as well as the festive figurines called calacas:

(Note: the word calavera can also refer to a humorous verse written about the departed and often placed on the family altar or shrine during this holiday.)

Ceci Miller owns CeciBooks, an editorial and book publishing consultancy that empowers authors to write, publish, and market irresistible books that uplift and inspire. Ceci has written, co-authored, and edited books with bestselling authors and experts since 1988. See new and popular book projects. Also . . . Find expert information on writing, publishing, and marketing a book in CeciBooks Chats (Getting Started series is FREE).A graduate of the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Ceci Miller is also the author of two published children’s picture books, and former contributing editor for Darshan, an international magazine. A student of yoga and meditation since 1976, Ceci leads seminars that explore language as a vehicle for personal transformation. Based on her book Sacred Visitations, and the popular book she co-authored with John Lee, Writing from the Body, Ceci’s work (both with CeciBooks authors and in public programs) blends writing, intuitive guidance, and contemplative practices that connect right brain creativity with your true intention.