Ghost Wings

A young girl in Mexico experiences the loss of her grandmother and learns about the annual migration of monarch butterflies. The story follows Mexican cultural traditions around death and remembrance, particularly centered on Día de los Muertos celebrations. The narrative tracks both the girl's emotional journey and the physical journey of the monarchs, connecting the two through Mexican folklore and family bonds. The relationship between the child and her grandmother forms the heart of the story, told through memories and traditions. This picture book explores themes of grief, cultural heritage, and the cycles of nature through accessible storytelling and vivid artwork. The parallel between human loss and butterfly metamorphosis offers children a framework for understanding death and remembrance within their own lives.

Readers appreciate how Ghost Wings handles grief and the Day of the Dead traditions through the relationship between a girl and her grandmother. Parents and teachers note it helps children process loss while teaching cultural awareness. Positives from reviews: - Beautiful illustrations that capture Mexican folk art - Clear explanations of Day of the Dead customs - Sensitive portrayal of death for young readers - Spanish words integrated naturally into text Criticism: - Some find the narrative pacing slow - A few mention it may be too emotionally intense for very young children Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 reviews) One teacher wrote: "This book opened up discussions about remembering loved ones and different cultural traditions." A parent noted: "The metaphor of monarch butterflies helped my child understand the concept of loved ones passing on."

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Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say A Japanese American man reflects on his grandfather's life between two countries and the bonds that transcend generations.

The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco A grandmother helps her granddaughter understand death through the life cycle of a butterfly in their garden.

🦋 The story was inspired by Barbara Joosse's visit to a monarch butterfly sanctuary in Michoacán, Mexico, where she witnessed the annual migration of millions of butterflies. 🦋 In Mexican culture, monarchs are sometimes believed to carry the souls of departed loved ones, which is why they arrive around Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). 🦋 Author Barbara Joosse traveled more than 2,000 miles to research this book, immersing herself in Mexican culture and traditions surrounding death and remembrance. 🦋 The monarch butterflies featured in the story make an incredible 3,000-mile journey between Canada and Mexico each year, spanning multiple generations of butterflies. 🦋 The book's illustrator, Giselle Potter, used warm earth tones and folk art-inspired imagery to authentically capture the feeling of Mexican cultural traditions.