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There’s something rather special about books that bring a little bit of magic into family life, and Día de Muertos: The Pop-Up Book for the Day of the Dead by Dominique Ehrhard and Anne-Florence Lemasson is one of those books that makes you want to gather everyone around and explore it together.
As a mum to a 12-year-old daughter, I’m always on the lookout for books that capture the imagination, and this one was an instant hit with her. It’s colourful, full of surprises and has that wonderful hands-on quality that makes you want to turn every page to see what happens next.
A little bit of magic on every page
This isn’t your ordinary picture book. It’s a beautiful pop-up adventure celebrating Día de Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead, a tradition in which families honour and remember loved ones through flowers, candles, music, food and joyful celebrations.
The book features six large pop-up spreads, bringing the festival to life with decorated altars, dancing skeletons and colourful scenes that leap from the pages. There’s so much to look at, and the clever paper engineering makes every turn feel like a little discovery.
I particularly love how playful it feels. Although the dancing skeletons and nighttime scenes have a wonderfully spooky feel, there’s also so much colour, joy and warmth throughout. It’s the sort of book that encourages children to ask questions, explore something new and discover traditions beyond their own everyday experiences.
The rhyming text also makes it lovely to read aloud together, and I can imagine little ones wanting to revisit their favourite pages again and again.
Perfect for a little Halloween magic
With Halloween just around the corner, this feels like a lovely addition to our seasonal book collection. We enjoy anything a little bit different at this time of year, and I love finding ways to combine that spooky excitement with opportunities to learn something new.
I’m also looking forward to visiting my grandchildren before Halloween, and I can’t wait to take this book along to share with them. I know they’ll love the pop-up surprises, the colourful illustrations and all those little details to discover. There’s something lovely about being able to sit together, turn the pages and watch their faces light up as each scene unfolds.
And that’s what I love most about books like this. They’re not just something to read and put back on the shelf; they’re an opportunity to spend time together, spark conversations and make memories.
Our verdict
Día de Muertos is a delightful choice for families who love interactive books, colourful illustrations and discovering different celebrations around the world. It has the fun, slightly spooky appeal that makes it perfect for this time of year, while introducing children to the beautiful meaning behind Día de Muertos.
If you’re looking for something a little different to enjoy together this Halloween, this lovely pop-up book is well worth adding to your reading list.
Sometimes the best family moments come from the simplest things — a good book, a little curiosity and time spent together.
Book details
You can find out more about the book on the Prestel Publishing website.
Disclosure: this book was gifted for review.
