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Este momento es especial (This Moment Is Special): Un cuento del Día de Muertos
Un niño se prepara para la celebración del Día de los Muertos a lo largo de todos los momentos del día, tanto grandes como pequeños, en este libro ilustrado del autor-ilustrador ganador del Pura Belpré Honor, John Parra.
Un solo día en la vida de un niño está lleno de familia, amor e inspiración mientras se prepara para la celebración del Día de Muertos y recuerda que todos los momentos son especiales. Cada momento nos recuerda a nuestra familia y a aquellos que nos han precedido. Hoy guarda una promesa especial.
Un solo día en la vida de un niño está lleno de familia, amor e inspiración mientras se prepara para la celebración del Día de Muertos y recuerda que todos los momentos son especiales. Cada momento nos recuerda a nuestra familia y a aquellos que nos han precedido. Hoy guarda una promesa especial.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
John Parra
23 books35 followersJohn Parra is a best-selling, award-winning artist, illustrator, author, designer, and educator, celebrated for his vibrant, Latino-themed children’s picture books. Over the course of his career, he has garnered numerous accolades, including three American Library Association Pura Belpré Honors, two Golden Kite Awards from SCBWI, two Christopher’s Awards, and the 2023 Américas Award. His illustrated book Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos was named one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year, while his debut as both author and illustrator, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, has earned widespread praise. His recent book, Spanish Is the Language of My Family, has received six starred reviews and multiple accolades.
Beyond his work in children's literature, John’s illustrations have graced commercial projects for major clients like Target, United Airlines, and PBS. His designs also appeared on the U.S. Forever Postage Stamp series Delicioso, and his Birdhouse Subways Artcard was featured throughout New York City’s subway stations. John was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to present a special event about his career and artistic journey.
As an educator, John has taught at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California, and frequently speaks at schools and literary conferences across the country, championing the importance of art and literacy education. A graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, John currently resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.
Beyond his work in children's literature, John’s illustrations have graced commercial projects for major clients like Target, United Airlines, and PBS. His designs also appeared on the U.S. Forever Postage Stamp series Delicioso, and his Birdhouse Subways Artcard was featured throughout New York City’s subway stations. John was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to present a special event about his career and artistic journey.
As an educator, John has taught at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California, and frequently speaks at schools and literary conferences across the country, championing the importance of art and literacy education. A graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, John currently resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2025
a sweet book of a young kid celebrating Dia de Muertos throughout the day (going to school, playing with friends, eating with family). A little bilingual line at the end of each text section. Loved the illustrations, wanted a bit more story.
June 27, 2025
With care, love and an edge of excitement, these pages celebrate the preparations for the Day of the Dead.
Día de Muertos sits front and center in these pages and follows a young boy as he goes through his day right before the holiday. Every moment comes across with familiarity as normal, activities mix with hints of growing celebration excitement. Not only will those who celebrate this holiday recognize the activities, but those who don't will see moments they can identify while learning gently about how preparations for this take place.
The meaning behind the holiday is carried through a smooth flowing text, which brings across the atmosphere with poetic ease. The illustrations make each moment clear and allow the reader to see exactly what is going on in a way they can identify with. This includes a small surprise as the boy is immediately introduced in his makeup and this holds the entire day through...many of the other characters also wear the mask. But it's not clear that this is a mask (for those who are unaware of the custom) until the very last page. To add bilingual goodness, the author adds a short Spanish phrase at the end of each verse. And so everything gets rounded off in a warm hug, every moment is packed with tons of family love and respect.
It's a lovely, atmospheric read for the holiday and brings across the customs in a natural way. This isn't really a read for more impatient readers/listeners, but it works nicely as an addition to the celebration or to add to a theme when learning about the holiday.
Día de Muertos sits front and center in these pages and follows a young boy as he goes through his day right before the holiday. Every moment comes across with familiarity as normal, activities mix with hints of growing celebration excitement. Not only will those who celebrate this holiday recognize the activities, but those who don't will see moments they can identify while learning gently about how preparations for this take place.
The meaning behind the holiday is carried through a smooth flowing text, which brings across the atmosphere with poetic ease. The illustrations make each moment clear and allow the reader to see exactly what is going on in a way they can identify with. This includes a small surprise as the boy is immediately introduced in his makeup and this holds the entire day through...many of the other characters also wear the mask. But it's not clear that this is a mask (for those who are unaware of the custom) until the very last page. To add bilingual goodness, the author adds a short Spanish phrase at the end of each verse. And so everything gets rounded off in a warm hug, every moment is packed with tons of family love and respect.
It's a lovely, atmospheric read for the holiday and brings across the customs in a natural way. This isn't really a read for more impatient readers/listeners, but it works nicely as an addition to the celebration or to add to a theme when learning about the holiday.
August 6, 2025
This lovely book pays attention to mindfulness as a part of remembering loved ones on the Day of the Dead. A young boy recounts his day with family and at school, savoring moments of quiet, togetherness, excitement and joy. He takes a book journey, feels the joy of gardening and music, and, most of all, the love of family.
The boy narrates these experiences in brief poetic prose, with Spanish phrases that echo the English text. Wonderful folkloric artwork, paint on board, is full of color, especially the pink prevalent in Day of the Dead art. I love the texture of the paint on wood, the retro clothing and elements of Mexican culture: papel picado, flowers everywhere, and the characters all in face paint of calaveras. Many children’s Day of the Dead books I have seen emphasize the horror or spookiness of death, linking it to Halloween. But this book gets to the essence of the holiday’s meaning, which is honoring and celebrating loved ones who have died and finding peace with the memories. The tone is completely peaceful and gentle. This is a good addition to balance the funny/scary books of the holiday.
Note: As the boy and his family are depicted with calaveras faces, it looks like they are living dead. It’s not until the end that readers see the boy removing his face paint. I would have liked a note explaining the significance of calaveras and dressing up for the holiday.
The boy narrates these experiences in brief poetic prose, with Spanish phrases that echo the English text. Wonderful folkloric artwork, paint on board, is full of color, especially the pink prevalent in Day of the Dead art. I love the texture of the paint on wood, the retro clothing and elements of Mexican culture: papel picado, flowers everywhere, and the characters all in face paint of calaveras. Many children’s Day of the Dead books I have seen emphasize the horror or spookiness of death, linking it to Halloween. But this book gets to the essence of the holiday’s meaning, which is honoring and celebrating loved ones who have died and finding peace with the memories. The tone is completely peaceful and gentle. This is a good addition to balance the funny/scary books of the holiday.
Note: As the boy and his family are depicted with calaveras faces, it looks like they are living dead. It’s not until the end that readers see the boy removing his face paint. I would have liked a note explaining the significance of calaveras and dressing up for the holiday.
August 27, 2025
A Brilliant Collection Of Special Moments
A day full of memories, a lifetime of special moments, this enchanting, poetic, bilingual story will have your little ones asking to re-read it in English, then Spanish, then both together over and over. Ilustrations simply burst with character, texture, atmosphere, and a pleasing palette fit for Día de Muertos.
A day full of memories, a lifetime of special moments, this enchanting, poetic, bilingual story will have your little ones asking to re-read it in English, then Spanish, then both together over and over. Ilustrations simply burst with character, texture, atmosphere, and a pleasing palette fit for Día de Muertos.
August 2, 2025
A single day in a boy's life is filled with family, love, and inspiration as he prepares for the Día de Muertos celebration and remembers that all moments are special. Each moment reminds us of our family and those who have gone before us. Today holds a special promise, una promesa especial."--
August 24, 2025
I really liked that this book focused on the special memories a boy and his family have around Day of the Dead, rather than just the physical customs. Sweet, not scary; a great addition to the collection.
September 4, 2025
A sweet celebration of loved ones and culture, focusing on the Day of the Dead.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews