Days of the Dead - Hardcover

Gr. 3-6. By focusing on one poor, close-knit family's observance of Los D{¡}ias de Muertos, Lasky and Knight contribute a sense of immediacy and intimacy to their description of how and why the Days of the Dead are celebrated in a Mexican village. Knight's photographs capture the revelry, reverence, and sense of community inspired by the holiday, which Lasky relates in very general terms to such autumnal celebrations as Halloween and All Saints' Day. This is not as smoothly accomplished as some of Lasky and Knight's previous collaborations--the initial transition from background information to the family close-up is somewhat awkward, and Knight takes some intriguing chances with light and exposure that aren't entirely successful. Yet, pictures and text coalesce into a memorable portrait of both the people and the celebrations that will provide a springboard for report writers. A glossary is appended, as is a section that expands on aspects of the holiday broached in the main text. Stephanie Zvirin

Grade 3-6-Lasky eloquently details the history and customs associated with this traditional Mexican celebration, briefly tells how it is linked to practices in ancient cultures, and describes a contemporary rural family's preparations and observances. As the book ends, night has fallen and the family returns home from the cemetery to await the return of the spirits of their loved ones. Large, bold, and often dramatic full-color photographs fill the pages, amplifying and extending the text. The narrative is followed by "More About the Days of the Dead Celebration," a two-page section that gives additional historical information and defines related topics such as All Saints' Day, All Hallows' Eve, Osiris, the Aztecs, and Mictantecuhtli. A good resource for reports as well as an interesting and appealing selection for pleasure reading.
Jessie Meudell, California Polytechnic University at Pomona
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.