Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
Bibliography:
Tonatiuh, D. (2015). FUNNY BONES: POSADA AND HIS DAY OF THE DEAD CALAVERAS. Harry N. Abrams.
ISBN: 978-1419716478
Plot Summary:
Funny Bones tells the story of how calaveras came to be. The amusing figures are the creation of Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. He learned the art of printing at a young age and soon had his own shop. In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not that of the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de Muertos festival.
Critical Analysis:
Funny Bones starts by explaining what skeletons are and using the word “calavera” to show the Spanish version of the word. The book brings in so much Hispanic culture that is a great read for adults and children in third grade and up. The illustrations are very much detailed with hand-drawn Mesoamerican drawings. Some of the pages have a bone border around the page to add that extra detail about what the story is about. There are also sections in the book that are like manuals showing step by step different ways to build something like engraving or etching.
The colors are also bright, making the illustrations very appealing. The book also incorporates information about the Mexican Revolution and the politics in Mexico.
Review Excerpt(s):
Robert Sibert Award
“Josi Guadalupe Posada (18521915) didn't invent those iconic Day of the Dead skeletons, but they attained their greatest popularity during the years he drew them. Tonatiuh, in his signature flat illustrative style, digitally layers various colors and textures onto simple, black-outlined drawings; he also incorporates Posada's own artwork. The straightforward narrative incorporates biographical highlights and personal anecdotes; extended sidebars illustrate printing processes. Bib., glos., ind.”-Horn Book
"The beautifully expressive Day of the Dead-inspired illustrations on heavy paper pages sport borders of bones, grinning skeletons, and Tonatiuh's signature figures shown in profile, influenced by the ancient Mexican art of his ancestors. Simple yet effective sentences accompany step-by-step images detailing the artistic processes that Posada learned as a printer's apprentice... A stunning work, with great possibilities for lesson plans or tie-ins with Day of the Dead."―School Library Journal
Connection:
*Students can use this book during Hispanic heritage month and create a day of the dead activity.
*Students can create their own calavera at home, then bring it to school and present it to the class.
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