Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Dead

When the monarch butterflies return to the Mexican countryside where Lupita lives, she knows that it means that Día de Muertos, “the Day of the Dead," is near. She and her favorite uncle watch the butterflies as they flutter in the trees. When a butterfly lands on Lupita’s hand, her uncle reminds her that she should never capture or hurt a monarch because they are believed to be the souls of the departed. The butterflies are a blessing. As the day draws near, Lupita and her family get ready for the celebration. Mamá prepares special dishes. Papá decorates the house with flowers and sets up an altar with photographs of family members who have died. When the first of November arrives, they will go to the cemetery with their neighbors to sings songs, tell stories, and celebrate the memory of their loved ones who have passed on. But this year is different. Lupita’s uncle cannot join them. Judy Goldman’s moving story, beautifully illustrated by Rene King Moreno, tells of a child who comes to learn the true meaning of Mexico’s Día de Muertos.

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