16 Picture Books by Latinx Authors About Halloween & Dia De Muertos

It’s the season to celebrate both Halloween and Dia De Muertos and books can be a great way to share the significance of both holidays. Many of us have grown up in dual cultures, constantly torn between our American and Latin American sides. This is especially true during October when Halloween and Day of the Dead are two major fall holidays when we take time to celebrate one or both. We believe that both days are allowed to have equal weight and we should feel excited for the chance to celebrate both cultures with our families and children. To prepare for this spooky holiday season, we wanted to put together a list of picture books about Halloween and/or Day of the Dead as a tool to show kids why we celebrate these important days of the year. From Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes to The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez, this is all about embracing the fall season, no matter what holidays we may celebrate. Read on to learn more about 16 picture books by Latinx authors about Halloween and Day of the Dead.

Gustavo the Shy Ghost / Gustavo El Fantasmita Tímido by Flavia Z. Drago

Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago is the author’s debut picture book following Gustavo, a ghost who is good at being a ghost—like floating through walls and throwing objects—but when no one can see him, he struggles to make friends. When he realizes that it’s almost the Day of the Dead, he makes it his mission to help people notice him, make new friends, and learn lessons about bravery, friendship, and loneliness.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes takes place on a full moon during October when a group of monsters throw a ball in the Haunted Hall. From witches to skeletons to ghosts, spooky creatures come out of the woodwork to party all night long. Told in Spanish and English, this is a great way to introduce children to Spanish words associated with Halloween and the spooky season. It won the 2008 Pura Belpre Medal for Illustration and was named a Pura Belpre Honor Book for Narrative.

The Day Of the Dead / El dia de los Muertos by Paula Cubo Rial 

Told in English and Spanish, The Day Of the Dead / El dia de los Muertos by Paula Cubo Rial tells the story of Don Pancho, a skeleton who travels through the Land of the Dead to reunite with his living family on Dia de los Muertos. The book features vibrant watercolor illustrations, showcases the beauty of Mexican culture, and uses important vocabulary words in both languages to build reading comprehension.

Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life by Polo Orozco 

Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life by Polo Orozco is a great book to introduce young readers to the Day of the Dead holidays and its traditions. From food offerings to decorating the ofrenda with marigolds to decorating sugar skulls, the story encourages us all to celebrate and reunite with our deceased ancestors through the objects and things they loved most from when they were alive.

¡Es la hora de los esqueletos! / It’s Skeleton Time! by Ana Galan and Rodrigo Lujan

¡Es la hora de los esqueletos! / It’s Skeleton Time! by Ana Galan and Rodrigo Lujan is a fun, spooky read that celebrates the Halloween and Day of the Dead season while also teaching kids how to read and tell time in English and Spanish. Using a traditional Costa Rica tune, the book follows a group of skeletons who escape from their tombs in a graveyard and do a different activity each time the clock strikes on the hour. It’s sure to make learning fun!

The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez

The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez takes place on the Day of the Dead and follows several generations of a family celebrating the holiday together using the ofrenda as a way talk about death, grief, and love. Using the classic rhyme “The House That Jack Built,” the book allows the reader to build an ofrenda with the characters and learn each part of the altar, along with its symbol and meaning.

Luna oscura by Heidi Moreno 

Luna oscura by Heidi Moreno takes place a community of cats. One of those cats is named Luna, a black cat who’s been ostracized by her fellow cats due to superstitious beliefs, leaving her with her only friend Toad. With Toad’s help, Luna embarks on a journey to find her true home and her magic power as a black cat. Written in English and Spanish and illustrated by Moreno, the book focuses on themes of acceptance, identity, and belonging.

Mi Familia: Celebrating the Day of the Dead by Camila Hernandez and Anahita Tamaddon

Mi Familia by Camila Hernandez and Anahita Tamaddon tells the story of seven-year-old Valentina and her family who are celebrating her favorite day of the year: the Day of the Dead. Readers will accompany Valentina as she visits the cemetery, decorates her home with marigolds, bakes pan de muerto, hears her grandfather performing and song, and goes to the festival with her sister Sofia. They will also get a chance to hear her family share stories about her great-grandparents over dinner, reminding us all that family truly is everything.

Celebrate the Day of the Dead! by Diane de Anda 

Celebrate the Day of the Dead! by Diane de Anda follows a young girl named Cristina, who is excited to celebrate the Day of the Dead with her brother Carlos and her family. Accompanied by colorful and vibrant illustrations, the story shows how Cristina decorates her family’s house, dresses up for the parade, builds the ofrenda, and cooks her ancestors’ favorite foods,  all in an effort to remember and honor loved ones who are no longer in the living world. Readers will also get to enjoy additional research and information about the Day of the Dead with explanations about each tradition portrayed in the book.

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda 

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda follows Mar, a young girl who, through the author’s captivating words and illustrations, teaches readers how her family celebrates the Day of the Dead, from foods to games to stories. Along the way, she’ll find connections and similarities with her deceased relatives through the things they liked to do, like writing and playing the accordion—this is truly a timeless capsule of joy, family, and culture.

¡Siempre and Always! by Valeria Mar 

¡Siempre and Always! by Valeria Mar follows Zac, who wants to honor his grandfather’s memory by celebrating the Day of the Dead. As the book explains the different traditions he and his family do together, Zac embarks on a journey full of solace, joy, love, family, cultural heritage, and rememberence.

¡Vamos! Let’s Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos by Raúl the Third 

¡Vamos! Let’s Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos by Raúl the Third is the ideal book for families who want to honor and celebrate both Halloween and the Day of the Dead with young children. We follow Little Lobo, who dresses up, goes trick-or-treating, and tells spooky stories with his friends on Halloween. That same night, he and his neighbors cook food and drinks before heading to the cemetery to decorate gravestones with flowers and gifts for the Day of the Dead. The book features Spanish vocabulary and is a rare story combining two important fall holidays and traditions.

If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja by Ana Siqueira

If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja by Ana Siqueira tells the story of one little girl who has become convinced that her new babysitter is a witch because she wears a black sombrero, laughs like a crow, and has cats. But the little girl won’t be a victim! She is too smart, knowing that her babysitter will use bath time to put her in a boiling cauldron. Instead, she’ll have to keep her at bay with a magic potion. Full of imagination and fun party tricks, this is a silly spooky story perfect for all ages.

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration by Terrilyn M. Trejo

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration by Terrilyn M. Trejo follows Nacho and Lola to help their friends celebrate the Day of the Dead. But Nacho is nervous because he has no idea what it all means. But with Lola’s help, he learns that instead of being spooky or scary, this holiday is all about honoring and remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. Told by two puppy protagonists, this is a fun book full of skeletons, foods, and decorations.

Trick-or-Treatasaurus / Dulce o dinosaurio by Gabrielle Reyes

Trick-or-Treatasaurus / Dulce o dinosaurio by Gabrielle Reyes is a fun Halloween story about Alma and her little brother Junior, who can’t wait to go trick-or-treating on October 31st. But when Junior accidentally ruins his dinosaur costume, it’ll be up to Alma to save the day and turn the mistake into a memory neither of them will ever forget. Featuring fun illustrations and laugh-out-loud prose, the book also includes themed Halloween stickers.

My First 100 Día de Muertos Words by Lil’ Libros

My First 100 Día de Muertos Words by Lil’ Libros is a perfect first board book for your little ones! Using the Day of the Dead holiday, the book teaches young readers important Spanish words associated with the holiday including pan de muerto, papel picado, musical instruments, and gravesites. It makes for a great introductory book to reading and the holiday.