Festival of the Bones / El Festival de las Calaveras: The Book for the Day of the Dead - Tapa dura

"Overall, the illustrations are comical, and not at all frightening, which will enable children of all ages to enjoy the book. A wonderful addition to bilingual collections in elementary and public libraries." -Criticas"For those immersed in Mexican culture, this neatly designed square volume offers a fresh look at a familiar subject." -Publisher's Weekly"His remarkable little poem, given in both the original Spanish and a rather free English translation, conjures up merry skeletons enjoying their special day but doesn't shrink from the facts." -Washington Post Book World"The text moves with a lively dance meter. San Vicente's artwork, done in black outlines with touches of warm color, is just sinister enough to produce a little frisson, but not so frightening as to be off putting to young readers and listeners."-School Library Journal"Gleeful rhythmic and occasionally rhyming verse in English and Spanish detail the peregrinations of the skeletons...this evokes the spirit of the Festival in the way that kids will appreciate. " -Center for Children's Books Bulletin"This is a dual-language book that will be enjoyed by Spanish and English readers alike. Teachers will find it useful for teaching poetry as well as teaching about an important Mexican holiday. Highly recommended!" -Reforma Newsletter"The Festival of Bones is at once lively and funny and offers a playfully imaginative treatment of the Day of the Dead." -Latinola.com

Mexico's Day of the Dead fascinates U.S readers, whether for its joyful celebration of an unusual tradition or because it simply feels like home. San Vicente lets children join the celebration as they watch the skeletons rock, rattle, and roll those long old bones as they get ready for the biggest event of their social calendar. A short and fun essay, directed toward young readers, will explain this important Mexican holiday.The works of Mexico City artist Luis San Vicente have been exhibited in Mexico, Venezuela, Europe, and the United States. He has won UNESCO's prestigious NOMA Encouragement Concours Prize for Illustration, and UNESCO honored his work (1997, 1998, and 1999) in their prestigious Youth and Children's Catalog of Illustrations.