The Dead Family Diaz

Illustrated by Poly Bernatene
$7.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
On sale Aug 02, 2012 | 9781101647196
Age 6-9 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD690L
Sales rights: World
A fresh, funny take on the Day of the Dead that's packed with kid appeal!

Every skeleton in the Land of the Dead is excited to celebrate el Día de los Muertos with the Living. But not Angelito. His big sister has told him all about their horrifying bulgy eyes and squishy skin. So when Angelito is separated from his family in the Land of the Living, he's petrified—until he makes a new friend who is just as terrified of THEM as Angelito is. Then his new buddy turns out to be (gulp!) a living boy! Angelito runs as fast as his bony feet can carry him. Fortunately the traditions of the Day of the Dead reunite the two boys, just in time for some holiday fun.

Full of wild, Tim Burton-esque art, this clever tale is sure to become un libro favorito for the Day of the Dead, Halloween season, and beyond.

“A colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences . . . lush and vibrantly hued . . . The ending satisfies, and the story as a whole addresses many issues pertinent to primary- grade children.”—School Library Journal
"Revels in the bright colors and general hullabaloo of the Mexican Day of the Dead festival ...a humorous moral tale."—Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly

"Bracegirdle crafts a colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences while seamlessly integrating Spanish words and phrases and information about the [Day of the Dead] holiday's traditions."—Kirkus ReviewsKirkus Reviews

"A colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences...lush and vibrantly hued...The ending satisfies, and the story as a whole addresses many issues pertinent to primary-grade children."—School Library JournalSchool Library Journal

"Sheer fun...It's nice to see a Day of the Dead book that finally gives Halloween a run for the spooky entertainment money."—BCCBBCCB

About

A fresh, funny take on the Day of the Dead that's packed with kid appeal!

Every skeleton in the Land of the Dead is excited to celebrate el Día de los Muertos with the Living. But not Angelito. His big sister has told him all about their horrifying bulgy eyes and squishy skin. So when Angelito is separated from his family in the Land of the Living, he's petrified—until he makes a new friend who is just as terrified of THEM as Angelito is. Then his new buddy turns out to be (gulp!) a living boy! Angelito runs as fast as his bony feet can carry him. Fortunately the traditions of the Day of the Dead reunite the two boys, just in time for some holiday fun.

Full of wild, Tim Burton-esque art, this clever tale is sure to become un libro favorito for the Day of the Dead, Halloween season, and beyond.

“A colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences . . . lush and vibrantly hued . . . The ending satisfies, and the story as a whole addresses many issues pertinent to primary- grade children.”—School Library Journal

Praise

"Revels in the bright colors and general hullabaloo of the Mexican Day of the Dead festival ...a humorous moral tale."—Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly

"Bracegirdle crafts a colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences while seamlessly integrating Spanish words and phrases and information about the [Day of the Dead] holiday's traditions."—Kirkus ReviewsKirkus Reviews

"A colorful story about facing fears and accepting differences...lush and vibrantly hued...The ending satisfies, and the story as a whole addresses many issues pertinent to primary-grade children."—School Library JournalSchool Library Journal

"Sheer fun...It's nice to see a Day of the Dead book that finally gives Halloween a run for the spooky entertainment money."—BCCBBCCB