For children navigating loss, this book offers comfort by showing how traditions and cultural heritage can keep loved ones close, even after they're gone.
A parent might reach for this book when helping a child navigate the first holiday season after a grandparent's death, especially within a family that honors Mexican heritage. This gentle story follows a young boy named Zac who misses his grandpa. He finds comfort and connection by continuing their shared autumn traditions, like carving pumpkins for Halloween, and by learning about the beautiful celebration of Día de los Muertos. The book tenderly blends the sadness of loss with the joy of remembrance, showing how cultural traditions can keep our loved ones' memories alive. For ages 4 to 8, it's a wonderfully affirming story that reassures children that love is forever, 'siempre and always'.
The book deals directly with the death of a grandparent, which occurred before the story begins. The approach is secular yet deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual traditions of Día de los Muertos. The resolution is entirely hopeful and comforting, framing remembrance as an active, positive celebration of life and love. It presents death as a natural part of life and emphasizes that emotional bonds are never broken.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a 5 to 7 year old child who has recently lost a grandparent and is facing the first holiday season without them. It is especially powerful for a child in a multicultural, specifically Latine or Mexican-American, family who can see their own blended traditions reflected and validated.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold as it explains the concepts clearly. However, a parent might want to preview the pages showing the ofrenda to be ready to answer questions, particularly if the family is not familiar with Día de los Muertos traditions. The concepts are presented in a very accessible, child-friendly way. A parent has heard their child say, "I miss Grandpa so much," especially as holidays approach. The child seems sad or confused about how to celebrate without their loved one. The parent is looking for a resource to show that it is okay to be sad, but also that celebrating and remembering can be happy, joyful activities.
Age Experience
A younger child (4-5) will connect with the concrete actions: carving a pumpkin, looking at photos, and arranging flowers. They will grasp the core message that we can do special things to remember people we love. An older child (6-8) will appreciate the deeper emotional nuance, the blending of two distinct cultural holidays, and the symbolism of the ofrenda. They will also be better able to engage with the bilingual text and the concept of memory as an ongoing relationship.
What Makes It Special
Its primary differentiator is the seamless and intentional blending of American Halloween customs with Mexican Día de los Muertos traditions. Instead of focusing on one or the other, it shows how a multicultural family can use both to navigate grief. The integrated bilingual text (Spanish and English) also makes it stand out, providing an authentic voice and a learning opportunity.
Read plot summary
A young boy, Zac, is experiencing his first autumn without his beloved grandfather. He processes his grief by engaging in traditions they used to share, specifically carving pumpkins for Halloween. His family then introduces him to the traditions of Día de los Muertos, teaching him how to build an ofrenda with his grandpa's favorite things. The story beautifully merges the two cultural holidays, showing Zac how these acts of remembrance create a joyful and continuous connection to his grandfather.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Zac carved a pumpkin with a big, happy smile just like his grandpa used to have. What is a special memory you have of someone you love that makes you smile?
2
Zac's family built an ofrenda with photos, marigolds, and his grandpa's favorite bread. If we made a special shelf to remember someone, what favorite things would we put on it for them?
3
The book is called '¡Siempre and Always!'. What do you think it means that love can last forever, even when someone is not with us anymore?
4
Zac celebrates both Halloween and Día de los Muertos to remember his grandpa. What are some special traditions our family has during the fall or other holidays?
