Jose Guadalupe Posada, or just Posada, grew up in Mexico where he learned the art of printing, using lithography and engravings to create political cartoons poking fun at local leaders. Though these were popular, it was Posada’s calaveras (skeletons) that he began producing to accompany poems for el Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) that were the most popular. Sadly, Posada was not known as the artist of the popular calaveras, but in our modern times, his work can be found in museums across the world. Later in his life, he also learned how to create his art by etching.
Examples of Posada’s work fill the pages of the pictures, helping to accent the biographical details provided by Duncan Tonatiuh. There are examples of Posada’s political cartoons and his calaveras interspersed with careful illustrations and simple descriptions that teach how lithography, engraving, and etching worked to highlight how Posada created his popular images. Tonatiuh also makes a point to show how Posada had to create his images backwards so they would face the proper direction when printed on paper.
Cheryl Preisendorfer for School Library Journal say, “Many of Lupe’s freestyle calavera drawings, the skulls associated with the celebration of Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival, depict the cultural and historical time period in which the artist worked. Tonatiuh poses possible symbolic interpretations of Lupe’s portrayal of this “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” (2016). Cheryl is referring to examples of Posada’s calaveras where Tonatiuh asks the reader to question the images. “Don Lupe drew some skeletons dancing and partying was he saying that . . . el Dia de Muertos is not only a celebration of death but also a celebration of life? A day when the dead become alive?” (Tonatiuh). These questions help make this book perfect to add to discussions about the Day of the Dead. The author also supplies images of what he feels modern calaveros would look like; skeletons reading books; dressed in jeans, hoodies, and hats; skeletons dancing and playing modern instruments.
Two pages of author’s notes help further discuss el Dia de Muertos, Posado, and the calaveros, making note of how Posado died poor and virtually unknown. Now, he is known for his work and many artists and historians are looking deeper into his art and his life. A glossary helps define many of the words and terms used in the book, terms like ofrenda (offering), engraving, and la Catrina (a female calaveros in a fancy hat with bright flowers).
Awards: A Sibert Award Winner, Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Honor Book, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2015 and International Latino Book Award Finalist!
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. Abrams Books: 2015.
Preisendorfer, Cheryl. “Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras – Book Review”. School Library Journal (2016).
Abrams Books. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. Website. (2017) http://www.abramsbooks.com/product/funny-bones_9781419716478/ Accessed 31 October, 2017
Ramblings of Jhenry 