This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story (Day of the Dead)

K-Gr 3–A heartfelt journey through the eyes of a young child preparing for a Day of the Dead celebration who finds beauty and meaning in everyday moments. Whether tending a garden, studying, reading, or playing, each activity becomes a quiet tribute to cherished loved ones. Parra’s storytelling is both gentle and profound, with each spread offering a few sentences in English, culminating in a poignant phrase repeated in Spanish. This thoughtful repetition reinforces the book’s central theme: the importance of slowing down, appreciating the present, and holding close the people we love. The illustrations, rendered in Parra’s signature worn-texture technique and a soothing palette of cool tones, radiate warmth and nostalgia. There’s a quiet joy woven into the pages, mirroring the deep familial bonds at the heart of this book.