Written by Duncan Tonatiuh
Bibliographical Information: Tonatiuh, Duncan. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015.
Plot Summary: Jose Guadalupe Posada was educated and went to art school. He learned how to lithograph and engrave to print publications. He opened a print shop and was well known for publishing literary Calaveras which are short poems that showed a Calaveras and were humorous. Don Posada was admired for his work and made the literary Calaveras for the Dias de Los Muertos holiday for years.
Critical Analysis:
The author makes an accurate portrayal of what is known about Posada in an entertaining story for children. The author’s note explains the history behind the celebration of Dias de Los Muertos and has a bibliography to show the accuracy of all information provided. The illustrations accurately describe the text. Some of the illustrations are actual Calaveras drawn by Posada or another artist before Posada named Manilla that the book shows.
The story has a logical layout. It starts at the beginning of Posadas life and takes you through his career making literary Calaveras. The author describes the processes that Posada learned; engraving, lithograph, and embossing step by step. The author also explains through speculation what Posada was trying to convey through his Calaveras. “Was Don Lupe saying that Calaveras are all around us? That we are all Calaveras, whether we are rich or poor or famous or not? (p. 31). Tonatiuh explains that with the death of Don Lupe and how his artwork wasn’t appreciated until after his death. The author even has a drawing at the end as to what the Calaveras might look like present day that I think young readers would enjoy.
The illustrations of the book done by the author have the feeling of traditional Aztecan Mexico. The book is smooth read and would make a good read-aloud story. The illustrations do an excellent job of complimenting the text as they show what the art looked like and the processes that Posada used to make his art. The book is fun and lively. Tonatiuh explains enough information and engages in speculation with the readers to keep children involved in this informational read. When using vocabulary that a child might not know, the author smoothly integrates the meaning of the words and has a glossary at the end for reference. Tonatiuh asks questions throughout the book as to what Posada’s message might be with his Calaveras engaging children in critical thinking. Depending on the age of the reader the Author’s note provides a thorough background that can be read separately for more information.
Awards and Recognitions
Sibert Medal (2016)
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Grades 3-6 (2017)
Kirkus Prize Nominee for Young Readers' Literature (Finalist) (2015),
Pura Belpré Honor for Illustration (2016)
New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award (2016)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: ” VERDICT A stunning work, with great possibilities for lesson plans or tie-ins with Day of the Dead.–Toby Rajput, National Louis University, Skokie, IL, September 2015 issue.
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Tonatiuh further marks himself as a major nonfiction talent with this artistically beautiful and factually accessible offering that effectively blends artistic and political content for young readers."
Connections:
Pull other books by Duncan Tonatiuh
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote ISBN: 1419705830
Dear Primo a Letter to my Cousin ISBN: 0810938723
Diego Rivera His World and Ours ISBN: 0810997312
Have a Duncan Tonatiuh author spotlight.
Have students create their literary Calavera poem with an illustration.
Have youngers readers color or decorate a Calavera picture.
Have students research Dias de Los Muertos to learn more about the traditions on that day.
The librarian can create a bulletin board about “Dias de Los Muertos” or Mexican culture and use this book with the display.
Students can engage in a Know, Wanted to Know, and Learned after first previewing the book and then reading the book in full.
References:
KIRKUS REVIEWS. "FUNNY BONES by Duncan Tonatiuh, Duncan Tonatiuh." Kirkus Reviews. Accessed March 13, 2017. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/duncan-tonatiuh/funny-bones/.
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015.
Stevenson, Deborah. "Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead by Duncan Tonatiuh." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books69, no. 2 (September 18, 2015): 117-18. doi:10.1353/bcc.2015.0724.
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