Today's read slides into a holiday direction...and one that isn't right around the corner. Right now, the publishing world is releasing the upcoming Fall reads. Halloween and Dia de Muertos belong belong to this bunch. I don't mind a few Fall thoughts with temperatures increasing the last days. It reminds me that cooler days are coming back (I'm a Fall/Winter girl).
Let's take a look and see what wonderful holiday thoughts this one holds.
THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL
A Dia de Muertos Story
by John Parra
Paula Wiseman Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING JULY 15th!!!
Through all moments of the day, both large and small, a boy prepares for a Day of the Dead celebration, in this picture book from Pura Belpré Honor–winning author-illustrator John Parra.
A single day in a boy’s life is filled with family, love, and inspiration as he prepares for the Día de Muertos celebration and remembers that all moments are special. Each moment reminds us of our family and those who have gone before us. Today holds a special promise, una promesa especial.
MY TIDBITS
With care, love and an edge of excitement, these pages celebrate the preparations for the Day of the Dead.
Día de Muertos sits front and center in these pages and follows a young boy as he goes through his day right before the holiday. Every moment comes across with familiarity as normal, activities mix with hints of growing celebration excitement. Not only will those who celebrate this holiday recognize the activities, but those who don't will see moments they can identify while learning gently about how preparations for this take place.
The meaning behind the holiday is carried through a smooth flowing text, which brings across the atmosphere with poetic ease. The illustrations make each moment clear and allow the reader to see exactly what is going on in a way they can identify with. This includes a small surprise as the boy is immediately introduced in his makeup and this holds the entire day through...many of the other characters also wear the mask. But it's not clear that this is a mask (for those who are unaware of the custom) until the very last page. To add bilingual goodness, the author adds a short Spanish phrase at the end of each verse. And so everything gets rounded off in a warm hug, every moment is packed with tons of family love and respect.
It's a lovely, atmospheric read for the holiday and brings across the customs in a natural way. This isn't really a read for more impatient readers/listeners, but it works nicely as an addition to the celebration or to add to a theme when learning about the holiday.
And here he is...
John Parra is an award-winning illustrator, designer, author, and educator. For his children’s illustration work he has received three American Library Association Pura Belpré Honors. His books include Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown, which earned a New York Times Best Illustrated Book designation; Green Is a Chile Pepper, written by Roseanne Thong, which received the Américas Book Award; Spanish Is the Language of My Family, written by Michael Genhart, which received seven starred reviews and the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award; Hey, Wall, written by Susan Verde; The Power of Her Pen, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome; and his authorial debut Growing an Artist, which was the recipient of the Christopher Award and the Américas Award. Learn more at JohnParraArt.com.
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