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

Ages 6 to 9, Grades 1 to 4

Follow Little Andrea as she discovers her family heritage and the Day of the Dead, the origins of the holiday, what it means to Mexican families, and how it has grown and expanded in The Dia de Los Muertos Story.

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.

About the Author

Andrea Jáuregui De La Torre is a children’s book author who has devoted her life to educating parents about baby and childhood milestones. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and in Literature from the University of Dallas and is currently working toward a master’s degree to be a family therapist. Andrea uses her expertise, her experiences as a mother, and her memories of growing up in Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and the US to craft stories about multicultural experiences and childhood. Her first book, My Own Bed, focuses on the nuances of childhood sleep needs, patterns, and quirks. In The Dia de Los Muertos Story, Andrea engages kids with a fun narrative that shares lessons of family and culture surrounding the beloved holiday. Andrea now lives in Texas with her husband, Joe, and their three young children.Laura González was born in Monterrey, Mexico, an industrial city surrounded by mountains, which she always misses when she travels. From a young age, she used to draw her own stories inspired by her cats and turtles. Laura believes that every single thing can be an inspiration trigger and that images are a bridge to express beyond words. Laura's art revolves around different themes that are lighthearted, humorous, introspective or spooky and she especially enjoys drawing animals, plants and very cute characters. She also loves to learn new things with the projects she illustrates. 
In her spare time, she enjoys music, reading, gardening, her pets, food, and perfumes (amazing what a scent can evoke!), and hopes to one day have a beautiful garden. Find Laura at @laugonzalezillu.