Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book

by Jeanette Winter, Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

Overview

Every year Don Pedro and his family make papier-mâché skeletons, or calaveras, for Mexico's Day of the Dead fiesta. From the Angel and Doctor to the Mariachi and Unicornio, there's a special calavera for each letter of the alphabet. Come dance with them!
Includes a glossary of Spanish words and an author's note.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780152059064
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/01/2006
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

JEANETTE WINTER has written and illustrated many books for children, including MAMA, The Librarian of Basra, Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, My Name Is Georgia, and Josefina. She lives in New York City.

JEANETTE WINTER has written and illustrated many books for children, including MAMA, The Librarian of Basra, Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, My Name Is Georgia, and Josefina. She lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

"Visually exciting."—Kirkus Reviews
"This striking celebration of an intriguing tradition will be welcomed by teachers, librarians, and Mexican American families."—Booklist

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From the Publisher

Jeanette Winter (illustrator of Tony Johnston's Day of the Dead) offers another visual extravaganza set against the Mexican festival in Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book. The neon bordered artwork begins with Don Pedro, his sons and grandsons constructing the calaveras (skeletons) for the town's celebration. When they take them to market, the calaveras come alive, assuming such roles as "candelera" (candlemaker) and "vaquero" (cowboy). (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 4-A title that features jaunty illustrations inspired by Mexican folk art and a short story about preparations for the Day of the Dead that includes within it an alphabet book based on the Spanish alphabet. The heart of the book is the artwork: vivid pastel clothing and scenery set against shiny black backgrounds and complemented by the bright white of the skeletons that form an integral part of the Mexican and Mexican-American celebrations. Skeletal characters in the alphabet portion of the book include ngel (angel) and bruja (witch), Kahlo (as in Frida, about whom Winter has written), and zapatero (shoemaker). While the glossary is helpful, the illustrations offer plenty of clues as to what each word means. The story that surrounds the alphabet concerns the family of Don Pedro, three generations of which join in the yearlong making of the papier-mache skeletons for the fiestas in early November. An author's note includes information about the real Don Pedro, whose life inspired her book. This is a lovely book that approaches the Day of the Dead from an unusual angle, reflecting not only the close family ties common to Mexican life but also the non-"devilish" nature of the celebrations.-Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

This visually exciting alphabet book makes a fine companion to Winter's Day of the Dead (1997). Boldly colored borders frame the brilliant-hued folk-like images and vivid white text superimposed on a black background. First she tells of a Mexico City family preparing the papier-mache skeletons (calaveras) for annual Day of the Dead celebrations as they have for several generations. The alphabet portion includes an array of charming skeletons in various poses, including an angel, a witch (bruja), bride and bridegroom (novia and novio), mariachi, and zapatero (shoemaker). The letter K is represented by Frida Kahlo, Y by a yucca, and W, which doesn't exist in Spanish, is pushed off the page. An alphabet glossary notes differences between the Spanish and English alphabets and provides English translations of the Spanish words. An author's note discusses Mexican fiestas and Don Pedro Linares, whose life inspired the story. (glossary) (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews