Funny Bones

Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras

By Duncan Tonatiuh

Jose Guadalupe Posada, best known for his creation of calaveras, used his exceptional talent to draw attention to the political climate of his day as well as poetry and daily life. His skeleton (calaversas) cartoons, dressed in human clothes and costumes, became very popular in Mexico; humorous to the people, but not the politicians. Today his drawings are associated with Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos festival. The book goes into the techniques Posada used such as lithography, etchings, and engravings. There is also background information for the reader to look further into the life of this artist who, without books such as this, could have lived in obscurity. The illustrations are beautiful and many are humorous. I think this book would be a great introduction for teachers to use lessons about this Mexican holiday and the life of Posada himself.

Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades K-3, or anyone interested in this art form

Funny Bones: Posada and his Day of the Dead Calaveras
By Duncan Tonatiuh
Abrams Books for Young Readers
40 pages
Release Date: August 25, 2015
ISBNs: 9781419716478 1419716476

Tags:

Art, Art Picture Books, Biography, Biography Picture Books, cartoons, Day of the Dead = Día de los Muertos, Duncan Tonatiuh, Engravers, Funny Bones, Illustrated Nonfiction, Illustration, José Guadalupe Posada, Mexico, Political Cartoons, Renee Larsen, Skeletons