This is the kind of picture book that does heavy lifting without breaking a sweat. Duncan Tonatiuh takes José Guadalupe Posada—a Mexican artist whose calaveras became synonymous with Día de Muertos—and makes his life story sing for kids. The skeletons are whimsical and joyful, the cultural context is rich without being preachy, and the book doubles as an art history lesson that actually feels relevant.

What sets this apart is Tonatiuh's visual approach: his own artwork (inspired by ancient Mixtec codices) sits alongside reproductions of Posada's work, creating a dialogue between past and present. Kids see how art evolves and how one creator can honor another. The Sibert Medal and Pura Belpré Honor aren't just shiny stickers—they signal this is informational writing done right.

It's not a quick, fluffy read. There's substance here about freedom of speech, artistic technique, and cultural identity. But it never feels heavy. If you want a book that introduces Mexican culture with respect and depth, or if you have a kid who loves art and wants to know how things are made, this is a solid pick.