Days of the Dead

Reach for this book when your child expresses curiosity about death or when you want to introduce the idea that remembering loved ones can be a celebration rather than a scary or purely somber event. This nonfiction narrative follows a family in rural Mexico as they prepare for Los Días de los Muertos, offering a gentle and grounded look at how different cultures process grief through beauty, food, and community. Through the lens of one family, the book explores the deep connection between the living and the dead. It is particularly appropriate for elementary-aged children who are old enough to understand the permanence of death but may need a comforting framework to process it. By focusing on the vibrant preparations, from baking bread to decorating altars, Kathryn Lasky provides a path for families to discuss heritage and the enduring power of love across generations.