“In Mexico the skeleton is a beloved and humorous figure. Its origins go back to pre-Columbian times,” explains the final page of Mi Familia Calaca/My Skeleton Family. The book introduces readers to Anita’s skeleton family. Each family member is presented on its own page with accompanying English and Spanish descriptions. Also included are pages that place family members into groupings, such as “children,” “women,” “men,” “parents,” “grandparents” and even “pets!”
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This book may be used well with young children as an introduction to culture and art. Each skeleton character’s dress is carefully crafted and colorfully designed by Jesús Canseco Zárate, a young Oaxacan paper mache folk artist. Parents may want read this book with children, and follow the reading by trying their hand at a paper mache craft activity!
—Reviewed by Kacy Vega, Arizona State University
