The Ofrenda That We Built
The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez is a bilingual picture book published by Chronicle Books in 2024, featuring 48 pages. This book celebrates Día de Muertos, focusing on family traditions and the remembrance of loved ones who have passed. Through a rhythmic narrative inspired by the nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built,” readers are invited to participate in the creation of a colorful ofrenda, a home altar rich with symbols and meaning.
Readers will find a joyful exploration of intergenerational love and community as they engage in the hands-on activity of building an ofrenda together. The book emphasizes the importance of connection and remembrance, making it accessible for those learning about different cultures and celebrations. With its warm rhyme and immersive illustrations, this edition serves as a delightful resource for readers of all backgrounds, perfect for sharing during the holiday season or any time that calls for reflection and connection.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A rich, rhythmic ode celebrating Día de Muertos.” —School Library Journal,Starred Review
Learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead! With warmth and energy, this spirited picture book is a joyful ode to family traditions and the memory of loved ones who have passed but whom we continue to remember.
It is Día de Muertos–the Day of the Dead–and the family ofrenda is at the center of the celebration! Inspired by the popular nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built,” The Ofrenda That We Built invites readers to join in the building of a colorful ofrenda, a home altar full of symbols and meaning, one special element at a time.
This is truly an intergenerational holiday with deep familial love at its heart. Readers will recognize these moving and universal themes in the hands-on activity of building an ofrenda together, an accessible way of learning more about other cultures and celebrations. Told in warm and welcoming rhyme, with beautiful, immersive illustrations, this is a delight for readers of all backgrounds to enjoy when the holiday arrives each autumn or any time of year that calls for remembrance and connection with loved ones.
LA FAMILIA IS LOVE: Every element of the ofrenda speaks to a tradition of togetherness and the enduring importance of community. Combining the poignancy of the past with love in the present, those celebrating Día de Muertos also make a promise to be a part of one another’s futures.
CELEBRATES THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: LikePixar’s Coco, this is a joyful celebration of Día de Muertos, which encourages us to see death as a natural and necessary part of the circle of life to embrace rather than to fear. With an emphasis on remembering the lives of our loved ones with joy, this holiday makes room for both collective grief and collective celebration–a powerful (and always timely) perspective on the nature of being alive that will resonate with children and adults alike.
SPIRITED READ ALOUD: Pairing poetic text full of repetition, rhyme, and evocative description with bright, engaging illustrations, this story is just right for group and lap-reads, sure to appeal to booksellers, teachers, and librarians as well as parents and caregivers.
Perfect for:
- Anyone who celebrates or wants to know more about Día de Muertos
- Parents, grandparents, and caregivers looking for unique fall books for kids
- Fans of multicultural picture books
- Gift-givers seeking heartfelt picture books about family and celebration
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