Pablo Remembers

This is the story of Pablo, who lives in a small village in Mexico outside of Oaxaca. He remembers and celebrates the life and legacy of his grandmother throughout the three-day fiesta. This novel is perfect for older children, with clear explanatory text and beautiful photographs of Pablo and his family as they celebrate. The book details many cultural practices of the holiday including pan du muertos (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, estampas (the delicately-cut tissue-paper decorations), copal (a resin incense) and cempasuchil (marigolds, the holiday's flower). It outlines how Pablo and his family make ofrendas, or altars presenting their offerings to the departed. It also details the ingredients and processes of the various foods they prepare and eat for the holiday. The photographs show the process of preparing for the fiesta with careful attention, and really demonstrate the connection the family still has to their departed loved ones as they celebrate in Mexico. The book ends with a three-page note from the author that explains the historical background of Día de los Muertos, and how it evolved from its ancient beginnings to how it is practiced now, and also has a glossary of Spanish words used in the book.

I have been searching and searching for a good book to use when teaching my elementary school students about The Day of the Dead. I own many, many children's books on the subject, but this is the best one yet! It's describes the holiday by following a family through the preparations and the celebration. There are beautiful color photos throughout. It's realistic and not scary. My third grade students enjoyed it and it kept their attention.

"This is an excellent children's picture book to use to introduce the Day of the Dead to your children or class. Through full-page and small color photographs, accompanied by text, photojournalist George Ancona tells the story of how one family honors their deceased relatives by observing the Day of the Dead in their village in Mexico. The Celebration of the Day of the Dead in a Mexican Village Young Pablo's grandmother Abuelita died two years ago. Pablo misses her, but he finds all of the Day of the Dead activities to be a comfort. The story revolves around Pablo, his three sisters and their parents as they prepare for and enjoy the activities, from shopping in the market and making home altars honoring dead relatives to visiting and eating with relatives living nearby, and decorating the graves and tombs of relatives. The family's trip to the Oaxaca market provides the reader with information about the special foods for the Day of the Dead, including pan de muertos (bread of the dead) and Calaversas de dulce (sugar skulls). English translations or explanations are given for the Spanish words in the text. There is a glossary at the end of the book. The book's colorful design and fascinating photographs capture the eye, and the text provides a concise, but intriguing, explanation of the three-day celebration of the Day of the Dead: All Hallows Eve, October 31; All Saints Day, November 1, and All Souls Day, November 2. The story ends with a picnic in the cemetery where Pablo's family, along with other village families, are "eating, singing, laughing, and keeping their dead relatives company." The author also provides a three-page summary of the history of the Day of the Dead and an overview of how it is celebrated today in Mexico and in Mexican communities in the United States. According to George Ancona, "Today the festival of the Day of the Dead is mainly a family celebration, a reunion of the living with their dead relatives." I would recommend "Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead" for 7 to 11 year olds." (review by Elizabeth Kennedy of ABOUT.COM online newsletter) I'm so glad to see this book, as it was hard to find materials for children in our library on this Mexican holiday. V. Allain

This book explains the celebration "Dia de Muertos" through a story about a boy named, Pablo. The book has many pictures and is an accurate description of Day of the Dead in Mexico. Pablo is honoring his grandmother who died recently. The book shows all the traditional food, the celebration and the meaning behind it all.

Pablo Remembers is a beautiful book that explains what the celebration of Day of the Dead is all about. The photos are excellent and even though it is a children's book, I share it with high school students and adults who are unfamiliar with this custom. I think that it describes the preparations and symbolism used in this celebration very well.