Pinatas and Smiling Skeletons: Celebrating Mexican Festivals

Author: Zoe Harris & Suzanne Williams
Illustrated by: Yolanda Garfias Woo
Hardcover: 48 page(s)
Age Range: 9+

Book Description:

Pi+???-+atas, mariachis, and marigolds . . . Mexico's colorful festivals are exciting and serious, familiar and unique, blending the cultures of her ancient people and of Spain, creating new traditions for modern times. Here is a year of special Mexican celebrations, from December 12, the festival of Guadalupe, through Christmas, Carnaval, Corpus Christi, Independence Day, and the Day of the Dead. The story of the Mexican people from Olmec times to Delano provides the background, while crafts, recipes for holiday treats, legends, and spectacular illustrations help convey the richness of their traditions.

- 1999 Independent Publisher Book Award

School Library Journal
"Colorfully illustrated in a vibrant folkloric style that captures the very essence of ancient hieroglyphs and modern retablos. Holiday recipes and lyrics to popular songs that are key to these celebrations make this fascinating collection particularly informative. An ideal book on the history, legends, artwork, and food intrinsic to the ritualistic festivities of modern Mexico."

Express Books
"Written for young readers, the colorfully illustrated guide to Mexican holidays is the latest in a series that began with books on Chinese and Filipino celebrations. . . . Illustrated in confetti colors by anthropologist Yolanda Garfias Woo, the book introduces a year's worth of masked parades, mock battles, and feathered snakegods, with instructions on making paper flowers, tamales, and hollow eggs to break over innocent people's heads."

Los Angeles Times
"Authors explain to young readers and adults alike the story behind each festival, including recipes for appropriate holiday treats and tips for celebrating the holiday."

Mexican Museum
"Highly recommended . . ."

SF Unified School District Language Academy
"A rich mix of storytelling, historical background, easy-to-follow arts and crafts activities, appealing recipes, and a glossary that celebrates bilingualism."

Independent Publisher
"Filled with colorful illustrations, interesting facts, and entertaining stories that will perk any child's (or adult's) imagination. Creative sidebars give ideas for crafts and traditional foods that kids can make with adult supervision."

MultiCultural Review
"Por fin! (Finally!) Here's a fact-filled book filled with interesting information that helps children better understand the many events, traditions, and customs celebrated by Mexican and Mexican-American children everywhere. . . . Kudos to the authors , who also recognize the presence of Mexican populations in the United States and urge readers to look in their communities for ways to participate in celebrations of cultural heritage in the United States. In addition, the book encourages young readers to look around them for clues to the presence of Mexico in their everyday lives, be it in the food they eat or the words they speak. . . . It is also the best example of children's book illustration that balances the depictions of Mexican children in traditional as well as modern, everyday dress."