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Children's Fiction Other, Non-religious

The Dead Family Diaz

by (author) P.J. Bracegirdle

illustrated by Poly Bernatene

Publisher
Dial
Initial publish date
Aug 2012
Category
Other, Non-Religious, Friendship, Mexico
Recommended Age
6 to 9
Recommended Grade
1 to 4
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780803733268
    Publish Date
    Aug 2012
    List Price
    $18

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

A fresh, funny take on the Day of the Dead that's packed with kid appeal

Every skeleton in the Land of the Dead is excited to celebrate el Día de los Muertos with the Living. But not Angelito. His big sister has told him all about their horrifying bulgy eyes and squishy skin. So when Angelito is separated from his family in the Land of the Living, he's petrified--until he makes a new friend who is just as terrified of THEM as Angelito is. Then his new buddy turns out to be (gulp!) a living boy! Angelito runs as fast as his bony feet can carry him. Fortunately the traditions of the Day of the Dead reunite the two boys, just in time for some holiday fun.

Full of wild Tim Burton-esque art, this clever tale is sure to become un libro favorito for the Day of the Dead, Halloween season, and beyond.

About the authors

Contributor Notes

P. J. Bracegirdle lives in Montreal, Canada.

Poly Bernatene lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Editorial Reviews

"Revels in the bright colors and general hullabaloo of the Mexican Day of the Dead festival ...a humorous moral tale."—Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly

"Sheer fun...It's nice to see a Day of the Dead book that finally gives Halloween a run for the spooky entertainment money."—BCCB

BCCB

"Bracegirdle crafts a colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences while seamlessly integrating Spanish words and phrases and information about the [Day of the Dead] holiday's traditions."—Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

"A colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences...lush and vibrantly hued...The ending satisfies, and the story as a whole addresses many issues pertinent to primary-grade children."—School Library Journal

School Library Journal