Día de los Muertos Books for Kids
by Rosemary D'Urso
The vibrant picture books on this reading list introduce children to the magic and wonder found in the Day of the Dead/ Día de los Muertos, a cherished Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. This occasion pays homage to beloved ancestors by sharing their stories, favorite foods, and songs. Families believe that for a short time, the departed return to the world of the living to revel in the company of friends and family. These picture books depict the heartwarming reunions along with cherished traditions, including sugar skulls, marigolds, and cheerful Calaveras (skeletons).
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The Day of the Dead / El Día de los Muertos
Available from:This striking board book uses gentle rhymes to describe the foods, flowers, and other heartfelt preparations made to welcome ancestors on this extraordinary day of celebration and remembrance. With its eye-catching collage illustrations, children and adults will want to pour over each page.
Get the Spanish version.
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The Day of the Dead on Sesame Street!
Available from:Join Sesame Street's Rosita as she explains the significance of El Día de los Muertos to Elmo and Abby, showcasing her ofrenda and the heartfelt tradition of honoring departed loved ones. With sturdy pages and vivid illustrations, this board book is an engaging introduction for young children to the treasured Mexican Day of the Dead celebration.
Get the Spanish version.
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Bilingual Baby's First Day of the Dead – Día de muertos
Available from:This engaging board book captures the vibrant essence of the Day of the Dead festival through real-life photos and child-friendly explanations of the holiday's symbols and festivities. It's a fun little Día de los Muertos read-aloud with English and Spanish text that encourages both languages.
RELATED: Libros En Español: Spanish & Bilingual Board Books
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Celebrate the Day of the Dead!
Available from:Available in both English and Spanish, this colorful board book follows two children as they hang decorations, paint their faces, attend a parade, and honor their lost loved ones with altars and special food. Enriched with intriguing facts about the holiday, this is an outstanding introduction to the captivating world of the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Get the Spanish version.
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Gustavo, the Shy Ghost
Available from:This charming tale seamlessly weaves elements of Mexican culture into the heartwarming story of a shy ghost striving to shine despite his transparency. With a blend of heart and humor, this spirited story is an absolute must-read!
Get the Spanish version.
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Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life
Available from:You can never go wrong with a Little Golden Book! This one brings the cheerful spirit of Día de Muertos to life, offering a colorful read-aloud experience about the Mexican holiday. It's an easily digestible introduction to the customs of the Day of the Dead, including marigolds, sugar skulls, and favorite foods.
Get the Spanish version.
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Clatter Bash!
Onomatopoeia fills the pages of this cheerful book featuring a group of skeletons rising from their graves for a night of festive fun. Interspersed with Spanish vocabulary, this riotous story brings to life the idea that El Día de los Muertos is a time for past loved ones to return for one night of merriment.
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Our Day of the Dead Celebration
Available from:This joyful glimpse into one family’s Day of the Dead celebration captures the true essence of the holiday as they honor past family members by sharing stories and poems. The lively illustrations expertly showcase these heartfelt tributes that preserve the memories of departed loved ones.
Get the Spanish version.
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Coco Little Golden Book (Disney/Pixar Coco)
Available from:Inspired by the hit Disney/Pixar movie Coco, this delightful Little Golden Book accompanies a young boy named Miguel on a captivating journey into the Land of the Dead, where he seeks to unravel the mystery behind his family’s music ban. With endearing characters and an engaging plot, this is a fun read-aloud for Day of the Dead celebrations and beyond.
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Miguel’s Music (Disney/Pixar Coco)
Available from:Tailored for newly independent readers, this leveled reader introduces children to music-loving Miguel from the beloved movie Coco. Simple sentences and exciting artwork share Miguel’s journey during the Day of the Dead celebration to uncover the mysteries surrounding his family history.
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Day of the Dead Hidden Picture Puzzles to Highlight
Available from:The Highlights hidden picture puzzles are my favorite gifts for any holiday! Children can use the supplied orange highlighter to explore dazzling black-and-white scenes from Day of the Dead celebrations and find hidden objects. This is a fun way to learn more about the holiday while building focus and encouraging attention to detail.
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The Day of the Dead Mystery
This thrilling installment of the bestselling The Boxcar Children series introduces readers to the rich customs of the Day of the Dead holiday while solving the mystery of a missing heirloom during one family’s celebration.
RELATED: Mystery Books for 6- to 8-Year-Olds
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Day of the Dead Mad Libs
Available from:With 21 fill-in-the-blank stories, this special holiday version of the classic word game is a ton of fun! Players add nouns, verbs, and adjectives to create hilarious stories featuring the traditions of this exceptional holiday.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2024.