Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras Book Review by Duncan Tonatiuh

 

Written by Duncan Tonatiuh

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers in 2015

ISBN- 978-1419716478

Plot Summary: Jose Guadalupe Posada was born in 1852 and he is the 6th child of 8 siblings. He begins working at a print shop when he turns 18 and becomes fascinated with all things engraving and printing. He was an artist that took a special interest in drawing cartoons and calaveras (skeletons associated with Day of the Dead). Many tragedies happened to him that required him to move and he ended up living in Mexico City where met Antonio Vanegas. They created comic strip like stories and drawings that heavily featured the calaveras. People from all over loved them especially during the Day of the Dead. Jose lived during the Mexican Revolution and used his skills at etching and engraving to create political cartoons that either made fun of the leaders or praised them depending on how Jose felt about them. Jose died in 1913 but many people did not know who had created the illustrations and it took historians to piece together the story of the most famous illustrator of the calaveras. Don Lupe Posada is now a highly celebrated artist in Mexico and around the world with his Day of the Dead drawings. 

Analysis: The author does a very good job of explaining the life story and history of a famous artist that many people might not know outside of the context of Day of the Dead which isn't celebrated that widely in American culture. The information is presented in an easy to read format and the pictures bring the story to life. The illustrations have a very block like comic book feel which helps to show the events that happened in Don Lupe's life. The author also included 6 pages of calaveras with questions for the reader about what is happening in the book that makes them stop and think rather than rushing through the book to get to the next page. The author's note and glossary are must reads as they help to bring the story to life and help out with the words that the reader might not be familiar with especially if they are unfamiliar with the Spanish language. 

Reviews: 
Kirkus Book Reviews
Tonatiuh’s Mixtec-influenced illustrations make an apt complement to this picture-book biography of one of Mexico’s most beloved artists, José Guadalupe Posada.

Don Lupe, as he was called, used the printing techniques of lithography, engraving, and etching. Each technique is summarized in four-panel layouts, and sample images of his calaveras and calacas (skulls and skeletons) are liberally incorporated into the illustrations. Many of the iconic images associated with Día de los Muertos were created by Posada as integral elements of his world-renowned political satire, particularly during the Mexican Revolution. Tonatiuh skillfully blends his own distinctive style of digital collage and hand drawings not only to highlight events in Posada’s life, but also to add whimsical elements by introducing contemporary calaveras. He incorporates amusing, thoughtful exercises for young readers into the narrative, prompting them to interpret the messages behind Posada’s artwork. Also included is an in-depth author’s note on the history of the Day of the Dead and an extensive glossary. In addition, a bibliography, list of art credits, and venues where Posada’s art is displayed are provided for further exploration of Posada’s life and work. Phonetic pronunciation is, unfortunately, only sporadically and unevenly sprinkled throughout the story.

Following on his Sibert Honor–winning Separate Is Never Equal (2014), 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. (Picture book/biography. 7-13)

Connections: Students can research the Day of the Dead and find more information about authors, illustrators, or tradespeople that create products for the holiday. 
They can also look at more artwork by Posada from the New York Public Library here: https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/posada

More Books by Duncan Tonatiuh

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation 
ISBN 978-1419710544

Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War 
ISBN 978-1419736827




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