The Dia de Los Muertos Story: Celebrating the Never-Ending Bonds of Family

Join Little Andrea on an exploration of her Mexican heritage and the history of the Day of the Dead, a holiday that transforms death into a joyful celebration of life.

Through detailed stories told by Little Andrea’s beloved abuela, The Dia de Los Muertos Story reveals to young readers the origins of Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, what it means to Mexican families, and how it has grown and expanded to other parts of the world, specifically north into the United States. 

This enchanting picture book follows Little Andrea as she discovers how what began as ceremonies practiced by the ancient Aztecs has evolved into a holiday recognized far beyond the borders of Mexico. As the story unfolds, Little Andrea explores significant moments in history and historical figures that demonstrate the endurance of the holiday through the ages.

The Dia de Los Muertos Story offers children a deeply personal and more meaningful way to connect with the season surrounding the more commercial celebration of Halloween, giving an opportunity to transform the often-scary topic of death into a more nuanced perspective that includes the important celebrations of life, family, and friends. 

Gorgeously illustrated, this guide to understanding Dia de los Muertos encourages a young audience to engage directly with the holiday and Mexican culture through its many hallmarks such as sugar skulls, papel picado, ofrendas, catrinas, and more.

Young readers will love learning beside Little Andrea about the incredible history and traditions of Dia de los Muertos and its joyful celebration of life.

The Holiday Celebration series from becker&mayer! kids honors the diverse holidays and milestones that shape the cultural fabric of the United States. Though these traditions may have originated elsewhere, brought to our shores by ancestors from around the world, they have endured and evolved to weave the vibrant tapestry of American life. The series includes picture books and their companion kid-friendly cookbooks that share stories uniquely representative of the American experience—an experience that is multilayered, eclectic, inclusive, and joyfully beautiful.

Also available from the series:The Juneteenth Story, The Juneteenth Cookbook, The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook, and The Kwanzaa Story.