So when did I first learn about the Day of the Dead celebrations? I am not sure but am guessing for many years now, considering we do have annual celebrations for this where we live (in the San Francisco Bay Area). But I do recall when I became more enamored by it – it was the movie ‘The Book of Life’ and that feeling was enhanced when I watched ‘Coco’ more recently. So I had to see what this book was about when I saw it first; and its tagline was a plus – ‘Skeletitos: Make Every Moment Count’.

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The Book Review

Skeletitos: Make Every Moment Count

Book Info

Description

Tomba-la-ca, tomba-la-ca, tomba-la!


Come enter into the creepy-crawly, mischievous and mysterious world of Skeletitos, where being on the other side of life is never an excuse for not having a good time! Inspired by the beautiful Mexican calavera art by Jose Guadalupe Posada,

Skeletitos is a celebration of the ordinary and the completely extraordinary. Tap your fingers or stomp your feet, no need to sit still. After all, before you know it, our time will be up! Our Day of the Dead themed tales carry a comedic twist for kids, encouraging them to be wary, conscious, funny and self-aware.

The first book in the Skeletitos collection features a moveable clock. Little fingers will be tempted to change the hour along with the story, while learning to count and tell time!

My Thoughts

Who thought skeletons could be so adorably cute? If you did not think that yourself, then this book will prove you wrong. While I read a digital version of the book, it looks like the physical one has pages that fold out to include more of the stylish illustrations, as well as a clock with movable hands that I am sure will delight the young readers.

The book takes the reader from hour to hour as the clock strikes the time, and we have more skeletitos joining in the fun, dancing and jiving and partying their way across the pages, making every moment count (it simply does not matter they are no longer alive)! And I love that the message in the tagline- ‘Make Every Moment Count’ – is highlighted on each and every page of the book, in all the details!

The black and white illustrations are striking and detailed with a single splash of color that adds that ‘POP’ to each page. The text rhymes pretty decently for a translated version; does have some rhymes that seem a bit off but still great fun to read aloud.

Check out the website for fun activities, a sing-along app, a video to enjoy the fun rhymes from this book (with wonderful animation) and more.

In Summary

A totally gift-able book. It is a clackety fun way to learn time, the numbers, and about the Day of the Dead all the while enjoying the gorgeous, detailed illustrations.

Rating: 5/5
Reading Level: 4 – 7 years (and up too!)
Reread Level: 5/5

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Encantos Media Studios for the digital review copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

The List

The Titles That Tempted

This week’s top ten is a fun theme so I just had to join in. There are simply way too many titles that seem extraordinary for me, so here are 10 randomly picked ones from my home library (where I think the title appealed to me first). And if you need more titles to explore, check out all the others linking to Top Ten Tuesday over at ThatArtsyReaderGirl.

• How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale – Not one I read but the kids certainly have.
• Let’s Bring Back: The Lost Language Edition: A Collection of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful Words, Phrases, Praises, Insults, Idioms, and Literary Flourishes from Eras Past – I had to pick this one. The cover looks whimsical and the title – a mouthful, yes – but totally tempting for a word nerd.
• Letters from a Nut – What kind of letters would a nut write? We had to know!
• Wise and Otherwise – While I have other books by this author, the simplicity of this title which still tells so much appealed to me.
• Smoke and Mirrors – This pair of words is always intriguing (the author was simply a bonus)
• Me Talk Pretty One Day – This one was definitely the title that got to me.
• Cutting for Stone – ‘I am immensely glad I picked this book’ was my first thought when I finished reading it. So, thank you, title!
• And the Mountains Echoed – Something so poetic about this title
• The Restaurant at the End of the Universe – I had not read any of the other books in this series, nor really heard of it when I picked this one simply because of the title.
• Uh-Oh: Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door – Yes, the title titillated!

And I realized I had a similar Top Ten post here earlier on my blog which included a couple of the titles above already!

And Then, Well, The End of this Post

My previous posts for this month are below. Playing catch up by posting more than one post is the way to get this done now! My Inktober posts – well, they will follow soon enough. STILL Working on them and now hope the next post will feature my next Inktober adventures as well!

• Book Review: Grobblechops: A Tale by Rumi
• Sunday Scribblings #18: Where I Did Disappear, Again
• All About the Ds
• In Memory Of
• Book Review: Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things
• 5 National Book Award Winners for Young Readers
• Book Review: Tremendous Pagoda Tree of Martha’s Vineyard
• a fine day to start challenges