The Dead Family Diaz (review)

So what do the dead themselves think of the Day of the Dead? According to this picture book about the skeletal Diaz family, they're pretty pleased about it: "The Living are our friends," says Mrs. Diaz, "and this is the one time each year everyone gets together to celebrate." Young Angelito Diaz is not so sure, since his sister Estrella keeps teasing him about the "big red tongues and bulging eyes" of the Living. When he gets separated from his family amid the festivities, he's therefore relieved to make a buddy of another boy, Pablo, who joins him in his worry about them—until they simultaneously realize the truth about each other: "AAAAAAAH! YOU'RE ONE OF THEM!" It's unsurprising but pleasing that the living boy and dead boy bond despite their difference (mostly over scaring the heck out of Estrella), but even that modest message is slightly satirical, and it never overtakes the sheer fun of the concept. Bracegirdle keeps the thematic jokes coming about the dead family and their day out, so kids will have plenty to snicker at throughout. Bernatene's illustrations rejoice in spooky celebration; the digitally created art crams spreads full with the glowing fuchsia, teal, and orange palette of the holiday, creating compositional rhythm with the chalky white faces (skulls for the dead, skull masks for the living) and crisply patterned streamers of papel picado. The result is an enticing yet effectively balanced whirlwind of festive activity, carefully punctuated by sparer scenes between the two kids, that'll make youngsters yearn to party along with the holiday-makers. It's nice to see a Day of the Dead book that finally gives Halloween a run for the spooky entertainment money. A brief note about the holiday is appended.