Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book

by Jeanette Winter

El Día de los Muertos is almost here. And on a rooftop patio in Mexico, Don Pedro's papier-mâché skeletons, or calveras, are coming to life.

Come dance with them in this unusual alphabet book inspried by a real Mexican family of artists and the many colorful folk-art traditions surrounding the celebration of the Day of the Dead.

Genres: Picture Books, Latinx, Childrens, Spanish Literature, Holiday, Family, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeannette Winter begins her 2004 Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book at the home of Don Pedro Linares (a Mexican artist famous for making papier-mâché skeletons and whose calaveras were extensively used throughout Mexico in El Día de los Muertos, in Day of the Dead celebrations). So with Winter both verbally and also illustratively showing that for Don Pedro, making, creating his calaveras is a family business, that his sons and grandsons are also part of the calavera making process, Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book offers a brief exploration of how these figures are created, and then uses individual calavera skeleton figures to present twenty-six alphabetical scenes, one for every letter of the Spanish alphabet, unilingually Spanish, which I myself found fun and engaging, albeit I do think that the words of the Spanish/English glossary should be featured both at the back of Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book (where it is located now) and also within the text proper, within the letter sections. For indeed, I certainly tend to find it rather annoying having to keep flipping to the glossary whilst reading Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book and this even with me certainly being able to figure out many of the Spanish words from the context and Jeannette Winter's delightfully creepy and vivaciously celebratory skeleton, calavera illustrations (and that having basically a dual glossary for Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book would in my opinion make the alphabet section less potentially frustrating and render Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book more enjoyable and also much more reader/user friendly).

And since I am generally a fan of Jeanette Winter's picture-books (and usually really appreciate her accompanying artwork), yes, I very much have enjoyed (and indeed as expected) with Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book both how Winter narrationally showcases Don Pedro Linares and his family and how calaveras are made (and that this is in fact a very long and drawn-out process that basically starts when El Día de los Muertos celebrations end for a particular year, that it thus takes an entire year for Don Pedro to create and to perfect his papier-maché skeleton figures). But honestly, even though Jeannette Winter's illustrations for Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book are colourful, lushly vibrant and delightfully spooky without too much creepiness (and thus definitely an aesthetic, a visual delight that really and totally makes and glorifies the ABC part of Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book), I also do kind wish that Winter would present supplemental information on El Día de los Muertos as a holiday, as a Mexican/Latin American tradition and equally be showing some actual photographs of Don Pedro Linares and his calaveras (and that bit of an introduction as to what the Day of the Dead is and actually photographs would for me and in mu opinion certainly augment the educational value of Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book).

[Rosa Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book perfect for ESL classes or Spanish classes.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an elementary/primary school Spanish teacher, I am always looking for ways to simultaneously teach my students Spanish language content while educating them about foreign culture, often via the cultural traditions that are often on display on holidays. This children's picture book by Jeanette Winter does all of these things by presenting the Spanish alphabet within a story about the two-day Mexican (and more widely Latin American) traditions associated with the Day of the Dead (usually celebrated November 1st & 2nd in Mexico).

The book starts by introducing Don Pedro, whose family makes papier-mache skeletons to celebrate the holiday in Mexico city. The illustrations, simply yet beautifully colored and stylized to be somewhat scary but yet happy (in the tradition of the Mexican calacas, the skeleton figures in the afterlife popular on this holiday), detail for the first ten pages the process of making papier-mache calaveras.

The rest of the book, up until the last page, presents the Spanish alphabet in large illustration, one letter per page. Each letter is accompanied by a skeleton figure depicting a certain occupation/profession typical of traditional Mexican society whose name starts with the accompanying letter. It is a great way to add content to what could otherwise have been a simple alphabet book, as teachers/parents can now present vocabulary for pronunciation or discussion about real world occupations or Mexican society with regard to economics. Finally, the book teaches the lesson of the importance of tradition and family, not to mention work ethic, as Don Pedro passes his craft down through the generations of his ancestors.

The author's note at the end, while only a page long, is a wealth of information about Mexican traditions and the inspiration for this story, a man named Don Pedro Linares who was a famous Mexican maker of cartonería, papier-mache objects.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opening in the home of Don Pedro, a Mexican artist who makes the papier-mâché skeletons, or calaveras, used in Day of the Dead celebrations, this engaging picture-book offers a brief exploration of how these figures are created, and then uses them to present twenty-six alphabetical scenes. Although the words profiled are in Spanish, the accompanying (skeletal) illustrations making the meaning plain, but if the reader is still confused, there is a glossary at the rear...

Having read many of author/artist Jeanette Winter's picture-books, I fully expected to enjoy the illustrations in Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, and I was not disappointed. Vibrantly colorful, with bold hues and spooky skeletons, it is a visual treat. I appreciated that Winter profiled Don Pedro Linares in her framing story, as he was a real-life artist whose calaveras were famous throughout Mexico. The alphabet-book aspect of this title is also well done, with the artwork (as mentioned above) making meaning plain, even for readers who have no Spanish. Recommended to anyone looking for spooky alphabet books, as well as to those searching for picture-books for Day of the Dead.

[Celia Buell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book by Jeanette Winter has caught my eye at my library for a long time. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much for me.

Calavera Abecedario starts off really nicely, with a portrait of a man, Don Pedro, who makes paper calaveras for El Día de los Muertos with his sons and later his grandsons. I really enjoy this depiction but it's not until the end of the book that Jeanette Winter informs the reader than Don Pedro was a real person. As such, this may end up reading like fiction rather than as a portrait of a real person's work.

After this first section, the alphabet part of the book starts. Each letter represents a design for a calavera from "ÁNGEL" (angel) to "ZAPATERO" (shoemaker). There is no explanation as to why these are the calaveras chosen, or what they represent. Without the context of Don Pedro's life and work, it is difficult to see the relevance of these calaveras.

I've read other books by Jeanette Winter, and she generally does a better job of contextualizing events and people, so this lack of context in Calavera Abecedario did bother me. If using it in the classroom, I'd definitely want to use primary sources to teach around and beyond the story presented in this book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book by Jeanette Winter follows a family as they make a series of papier-mâché calaveras, or skeletons, for Mexico's Day of the Dead fiesta.

Winter's colorful illustrations are done in acrylics and pen on Strathmore Bristol paper. The highlight is the alphabet portion, with a page for each letter. My favorite images are all help, to market, Doctor, Kahlo, Mariachi, Reina, Unicornio, Vaquero, and skeletons.

Winter writes this accessible tale inspired by real life calaveras artist Don Pedro Linares and his family. Background is given for the process, along with an Alphabet glossary, and Author's Note briefly explaining major Mexican holidays including el Dia de los Muertos.

This accessible and very appealing book provides a fascinating look at one aspect of this festival of the dead. The whimsical nature of the figures is humorous yet educational. I loved the Kahlo and Unicornio! Highly recommended for school and public library collections. 4.5 stars.

For ages 5 to 8, alphabet, holidays, multicultural, Day of the Dead, social life and customs - Mexico, and fans of Jeanette Winter.

[Yadira Cabrera]

Second information text


Calavera Abecederio tells the story of Don Pedro Linares and how he and his family work all year making papier-mache Calaveras for the Day of the Dead celebration. When the Calaveras are done they head to the market and the celebration begins, every Calaveras creation represent a letter of the alphabet such as A for angel (angel), B for bruja (witch) and so on. The Calaveras are shown on a black background that allows each and every one of the Calaveras radiant colors to stands out. This book is appropriate for K-3 grade and it can be used in combination with other Day of the Dead books such as Funny Bones by Duncan Tonatiuh, The Spirit of Tio Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story by Janice Levy, Felipa and the Day of the Dead by Birte Muller, and The day of the Dead by Bob Barner. Teacher can create a unit of the Day of the Dead and use this book to show the radiant colors that are use during this time and have the kids create their own alphabet making their own Calaveras. The only problem would be the language, if students do not speak Spanish the words would need to be pre-taught. Another issue could be that parents might not like the unit due to religious believes.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rd. Level:3.7
Int. Level: 1-4
GR Level:A
Age Range: 5-8
Grade Level: K-2
Week 10: Book 2: Informational Text
RLL520

This story was about a father who teaches his sons to make paper skeletons for the Day of the Dead Festival. Over time they build these paper skeletons and show them off in a parade. Then the sons have sons and they all work together, grandfather, fathers and sons. This book then goes on to show each paper skeleton was made into an occupation of some sort using the letters of the alphabet, all except W, as there are almost no words with W in Spanish.

This book would be good to use to describe occupations they could possibly then draw one of what they'd like to be when they grow up. It could also be used to teach the alphabet and talk about other things that begin with that letter.

The only thing I could see being an issue is all letters are in spanish and who knows if some families would want their children learning the spanish alphabet sounds and or talking about this religious holiday.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening pages introduce a family in Mexico City preparing to celebrate el Dia de los Muertos by marking papier-mache calaveras (skeletons). Once they're finished, the family packs them into their truck to take them to market where they'll join other pieces of the holiday celebration: marigolds, candles, and sugar skulls.

Then the alphabet portion of the book begins, and human and animal skeletons in brightly colored pictures represent each letter of the alphabet except for "w."

A glossary is included at the back for non-Spanish speakers. Also, there is an author's note that tells about the real life calaveras artist Don Pedro Linares who is the fictional father in the story and gives a sentence or two explaining the biggest Mexican holidays including el Dia de los Muertos.

[Jamie Golden]

This is my second informational text
Grades K-3rd
This tells the story of how Don Pedro's family creates Calaveras every year for the towns celebration of the Day of the Dead. Everyone brings their calaveras to town. Each calavera represents a letter of the alphabet. The book is filled with bright colors and pictures representing each letter of the alphabet. This is a good book to teach Spanish words to English speaking kids.
The only problem with this book is that the alphabet words are in Spanish. Pre-teaching the words would need to be done ahead of time.
The teacher could do a unit on the celebration of the Day of the Dead, read this book along with other Day of the Dead books. Students could then bring in pictures of their family members that have passed and have a day of the dead celebration in class. They can also make calaveras out of paper plates and decorate them.

[Tracy Moore]

I read this book as a companion to the book Funny Bones: Posada and his Day of the Dead Calaveras. While the illustrations in the book were fun and creative, there wasn’t much substance to the book. It is a basic ABC book, but I would only be able to use it as a novelty book with my kindergarten students, not necessarily as an alphabet book. It does provide a conversation starter into the traditions of The Day of the Dead, so it could be used alongside other related books to expose students to different cultures and traditions. I can actually see this book being used with older students who are learning Spanish to provide a fun way to practice vocabulary. The author also includes notes at the end which provide cultural information and the history behind the papier-mache skeletons often used for The Day of the Dead.

[Lauren Abrams]

This is my 7th picture book.
This is my 4th multicultural/international book.
This is the fiction book that pairs with my informational texts book club book.

This book is a alphabet book that is inspired by The Day of the Dead. It uses the English alphabet along with some Spanish words to tell the story of a family getting ready for this holiday. While the text can be made easily accessible for both Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers, there are examples given for letters that do not correspond with the sound the letter makes (ex. Vaquero for V when the V is pronounced like a B in Spanish). While the book is fun and exciting, I do not recommend it for use in the classroom or with early readers as it may mix up their letter sounds.

[Melia Bents · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book uses the Mexican tradition for the Day of the Dead fiesta to teach children the alphabet letters. It shows different "Calaveras" (skeletons) dressed up in alphabetical order. While it is teaching a concept, it also gives information about a cultural tradition. This book would be great for ELL students. I enjoyed the colorful illustrations and the story because I learned some things about the celebration that I did not know before. I did not find anything problematic about this book and would say it is appropriate for 1st grade and up.

[Carlie Raybuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Spanish alphabet book is a great book for learning about Day of the Dead and learning about family and culture. I think ELL students will have a fun time reading this book with all of the colors and the skeletons. Learning about day of the deas in school was always so interesting to me and I want my future students to learn about this culture as well.

[ashley folman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Calavera Abecedario, is both an English and Spanish text book. They are talking about the holiday the day of the dead. Which is a Mexican holiday. They give translations. They always make skeletons out of papier mache. This book is an alphabet book and their is a different skeleton for each letter in the alphabet. I thought that this book was very interesting.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Davis' favorite of the library books. It follows the work of a family who makes paper mache skeletons for Dia De Los Muertos. Moira enjoyed figuring out the occupations of each of the skeletons, again with the Spanish words relating to English words.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great ABC book in Spanish that celebrates the Day of the Dead by naming, in alphabetical order, different calaveras by their professions: angel, bruja, candelera, etc. The 2nd and 3rd grade students love it!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how the book shows a family and the process they use to create the calaveras for the big celebration. Interesting choices for the ABC portion of the book, most are occupations, always enjoy Winter's signature folk art illustrations.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by Pedro Linares's paper-mache Calaveras, Jeanette Winter shares the family's preparations for Day of the Dead (as it passes down from one generation to the next) and includes an alphabet book with a glossary of what the Spanish text means.

[Meadow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Katie Darrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun twist on an alphabet book, great for 1st grade Mexico unit

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say - I'm a HUGE Jeanette Winter fan!

[Samra · Rating 5 out of 5]

i bought this for myself. its dia de los muertos alphabet. its colorful and bilingual. i heard about it in my textbook for ENH 291 Childrens lit. i would highly recommend it because its fun!

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute.
I've read other books that both I and my niece/nephew enjoyed more...
but it's cute for what it is.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a cute book, but I would have liked it to have more of a story. Still, a good introduction to some Spanish words, the art of paper mache, and the Day of the Dead.

[Elizabeth]

This has more lead-up about making the calaveras (papier-mâché skeletons) than I was expecting. (The backmatter explains that this story is inspired by the life of Don Pedro Linares.) Though it doesn't actually explain what the Day of the Dead is, or why people make papier-mâché skeletons for it.

Once we're past the intro story, it's just an alphabet with one skeleton per letter -- mostly human roles, though K is for [Frida] Kahlo, and U is for unicorn and Y is for yucca plant. The illustrations are good and lively.

Despite the fact that it's an English alphabet used, the skeleton words are all in Spanish -- e.g., B is for "bruja" (fairly obviously a witch in the illustration? though I'm also biased by having taken Spanish for years; but most of the words are obvious cognates or have visual clues, like "huevera" [egg seller] is carrying a platter of eggs).

The W page has a skeleton pushing a W off the page, and the Alphabet Glossary at the end says, "There are various interpretations of the Spanish alphabet, which differs slightly from the English one illustrated in this book. Many references indicate that there is no w, and ch, ll, ñ, and rr, are often considered separate single letters." Which phrasing suggests that the author is not a Spanish speaker, which is disappointing. (I know, I know; I got lazy about vetting authors.) Though it's also true that what constitutes the Spanish alphabet is contentious. For example, from Spanish411:

Not everyone in the Spanish-speaking world agrees on what the alphabet looks like. [...] in 2010 the Real Academia Española, which is basically in charge of the official Spanish language, decided that "ch" and "ll" should no longer be considered distinct letters. This leaves us with a 27-letter alphabet:

a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, ñ, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z

To confuse the issue, some Spanish-language sources consider "rr" a separate letter and others don't count the "k" or the "w" since they almost always appear in words that originated outside of the Spanish language.

[Abby]

This book uses the Mexican tradition for the Day of the Dead fiesta to teach children the alphabet letters. It shows different "Calaveras" (skeletons) dressed up in alphabetical order. While it is teaching a concept, it also gives information about a cultural tradition. This book would be great for ELL students. I enjoyed the colorful illustrations and the story because I learned some things about the celebration that I did not know before. I did not find anything problematic about this book and would say it is appropriate for 1st grade and up.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro comienza como una historia sobre una familia de artistas que hacen calaveras. Entonces se convierte en un libro de abecedario. Aprendí que la "w" no es una letra del alfabeto español. Pero estaba un poco confundido. Aunque me gustaron los dibujos.

This book starts out as a story about a family of artists who make calaveras. Then it becomes an
alphabet book. I learned that the "w" isn't a letter in the Spanish alphabet. But I was a little confused. I liked the drawings though.

[Rebecca Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations. I love the aesthetic of the black background and bright colors. The story of Don Pedro combined with the abecedario is a nice juxtaposition. I appreciate the explanation at the end about how the Spanish alphabet differs from English. I would like to see that explored in the main text as well.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the text and illustrations very much. I personally did not find the calaveras creepy or frightening, more humorous and appealing. But I don't know how a very young child might react to them.