There are two things I like about this book and those are the way it was written and the illustrations/pictures used. The big message of this book is to inform the reader about the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. The book examines the many different practices and observances made by people on this special holiday of remembrance.
The writing in this book engages the reader and keeps them interested in the story by using outstanding detail and factual information. Throughout the book the writing gives detailed and elaborate information about the holiday and everything it represents. For example, in the section where it is explaining alters and offering it states “The ofrenda, or altar, is an offering to the dead.” This section of text not only explains what the altar is used for but also gives information about what an altar is called in Mexico. These descriptive and informational passages help the story flow well and keep the reader interested as they gain knowledge of the holiday.
The other amazing part of this book is its use of live action pictures. Each picture in the book shows an example of what the written text is describing and also includes more textual information helping to link the picture and writing together. An example of this is the picture of a boy cleaning off a grave to prepare it for an altar to be built on top of it above the picture it states “This boy is cleaning a grave. People help clean and decorate the graves of those who do not have any living family or friends.” Pictures accompanied by text like above are all throughout the story and add a sense of depth to the story allowing the reader to grasp a fuller comprehension of the many aspects of the holiday Day of the Dead. ( )