Funny Bones: Posada and his Day of The Dead Calaveras

Bibliography
Tonatiuh, Duncan.
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras.
New York, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015. ISBN 978-1-4197-1647-8

Plot Summary
This book follows the life of Jose Guadalupe Posada, who was a Mexican political cartoon artist. Posada lived from 1852 –1913 and is best known for his illustrations of Calavera poems. “Calavera” is the Spanish word for skull. Posada wrote literary Calaveras which are short, humorous poems that imagined how a person encountered death. He popularized these poems in the late 1800s and they brought great recognition to his artwork and his opinions about the Mexican Revolution. The Calaveras he illustrated inspired the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which many Mexican-Americans celebrate today.

Critical Analysis

I wanted to read this book because as an artist I have always come across these specific illustrations, especially in the October month when I am preparing altars for the Day of the Dead. I never knew who the artist was until I read this book. The author, Tonatiuh organized the book's storyline using a chronological sequence that begins with Posada’s youth and ended with his fame. I enjoyed the fact that the reader was provided reference aids, a glossary with pronunciations, an index, and a bibliography of 13 sources.

I enjoyed the bold use of color because it accurately depicts the Mexican holiday of Dia De Los Muertos. As a Mexican-American, I found it accurate. Posada’s influence on the Dia de los Muertos calaveras is present and Tonatiuh uses a lively and interesting style. It seems this information is not widely known. The author did a superb job of including a deep history and the artwork captures a deep sense of my ancestry. I love how the author blended both art styles together. Tonatiuh revealed that his last name is the name of the Aztec God of the Sun, and is also an award-winning illustrator. Overall the book was a good read with useful historical information.

Awards & Review Excerpts 
2016 Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book
2016 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner
New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2015

Booklist: “Playful but informative, this picture book offers a fascinating introduction to the artist and his work.”

Kirkus Reviews: “Tonatiuh further marks himself as a major nonfiction talent with this artistically beautiful and factually accessible offering that effectively blends artistic and political content for young readers.”

Connections
Teach students about Mexican Culture and the Day of the Dead celebration and ask students to discuss how Posada contributed to the celebration. In art or other class, students can create their own "Calaveras" either a skull or in literary format. Have students create their own skeleton (Calavera).

Students might draw political cartoons through Posadas's eyes.