Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras

Funny Bones chronicles the life and artistic development of Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada in the late 1800s. The book tracks his journey from apprentice to accomplished artist known for his calavera prints - satirical artwork featuring skeletons. The narrative follows Posada's career milestones while examining his techniques for creating prints, particularly his engravings on metal plates. Through detailed illustrations and explanations, readers learn about the technical process of printmaking and how Posada developed his signature style. The book showcases Posada's most famous works - his calaveras - and places them in the context of Mexican culture and the Day of the Dead celebration. These skeleton images served as both art and social commentary during a pivotal time in Mexico's history. This glimpse into Posada's life reveals the power of art to preserve cultural traditions and speak truth through symbolism. The marriage of technical skill and cultural expression demonstrates how artists can impact society while pushing creative boundaries.

Readers appreciate the book's detailed look into José Guadalupe Posada's artistic process and his influence on Day of the Dead imagery. Parents and educators note the book works well for teaching both art history and Mexican cultural traditions to children ages 6-12. Likes: - Clear explanations of printmaking techniques - Bilingual text incorporates Spanish terms - Illustrations blend Tonatiuh's style with Posada's artwork - Historical photographs add context - End notes provide depth for older readers Dislikes: - Some found the text too advanced for younger children - A few readers wanted more examples of Posada's non-skeleton art Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (240+ ratings) The book won multiple awards including: - Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal - Américas Award - Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award "Perfect for art teachers introducing printmaking," noted one educator on Goodreads. "My students were fascinated by the technical details," wrote another.

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Day of the Dead by Tony Johnston and Jeanette Winter A Mexican family prepares an ofrenda while sharing memories of their grandmother through traditional Day of the Dead customs.

Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration by Richard Keep Skeletons emerge at midnight to hold their own Day of the Dead fiesta with music, food, and dancing in the graveyard.

🦴 José Guadalupe Posada created over 20,000 illustrations during his lifetime, many of which were printed on broadsheets and newspapers that cost just one penny. 💀 The word "calavera" means skull in Spanish, but in Mexican art it also refers to satirical poems and illustrations featuring skeletons, often used to mock the living. 🎨 Author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh's unique illustration style is inspired by pre-Columbian art, particularly the ancient Mexican (Mixtec) codices that tell stories through pictures. 🖨️ Posada mastered a zinc etching technique called "zincography," which allowed him to create more detailed illustrations than traditional lithography and work more quickly to meet newspaper deadlines. 🎭 Posada's most famous calavera, La Catrina, was originally created as a satire of wealthy Mexicans who were trying to adopt European fashions and customs while rejecting their Mexican heritage.