For children learning to honor loved ones who have passed, this heartwarming story beautifully explores the traditions and joy of building an ofrenda for Día de Muertos.
A parent should reach for this book when their child is grappling with the death of a loved one or when they want to introduce a gentle, hopeful way to talk about remembrance. This heartwarming story follows a young girl and her family as they build a traditional ofrenda for Día de Muertos. It walks through each step, from placing photos of ancestors to adding marigolds and special foods, explaining the meaning behind the ritual. The book beautifully reframes grief into a celebration of life and memory, focusing on joy, love, and connection. For children ages 6 to 9, it's a perfect, culturally rich resource for normalizing conversations about death and honoring family history.
The book deals directly with the death of family members, but they have all passed away before the story begins. The approach is rooted in the cultural and spiritual traditions of Día de Muertos, presenting death as a natural part of life and remembrance as an active, joyful process. The tone is consistently hopeful and comforting, focusing on enduring love rather than the pain of loss.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a 6 to 8-year-old who has recently lost a grandparent or is beginning to ask questions about death. It is especially suited for a child who benefits from concrete, hands-on activities to process abstract emotions. It’s also an excellent choice for any child learning about world cultures or for Latine children seeking representation of their traditions.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. The text is clear and self-explanatory. However, a parent unfamiliar with the holiday may want to read the author's note at the back first to deepen their own understanding and be prepared for questions. The entire book is a safe, gentle space for conversation. A parent might pick this up after their child says something like, "I miss Grandma so much, I wish she were still here," or asks, "How can we remember Grandpa?" It’s a proactive choice for a parent wanting to introduce the concept of honoring ancestors in a non-scary, life-affirming way, especially around the autumn season.
Age Experience
A 6-year-old will connect with the sensory details: the bright colors, the smell of the flowers, the idea of leaving out a favorite toy. They will grasp the core concept of doing something special to remember someone. An 8 or 9-year-old will better understand the symbolic meanings, the idea of ancestry, and the abstract concept that love transcends death.
What Makes It Special
While many books cover Día de Muertos, this one stands out for its quiet, process-oriented focus. It functions almost as a gentle instruction manual woven into a story. By focusing on the *act* of building the ofrenda, it makes the abstract concept of remembrance tangible and empowering for a child. Its calm, poetic text makes it feel like a guided meditation on memory and love.
Read plot summary
The story follows a young girl as she helps her family build their annual Día de Muertos ofrenda. Narrated in a gentle, instructional tone, it details the process: setting up the altar, adding photos of deceased relatives, laying down a path of cempasúchil petals, and placing favorite foods and items. The book culminates in a warm family gathering, sharing stories and celebrating the lives of those they miss.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The family adds photos and special items for each person they are remembering. If we were to build an ofrenda, what is a special item that would remind us of someone we love and miss?
2
The book says the scent of cempasúchil flowers helps guide the spirits home. What are some smells that remind you of a happy memory or a special person?
3
At the end, the family shares stories about their ancestors. What is a favorite story you've heard about one of our relatives, or a favorite memory you have of them?
4
Building the ofrenda is something the whole family does together. Why do you think it's important that they all help create it?
