1.
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
2.
PLOT SUMMARY
Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) is
portrayed in Tonatiuh’s picture book biography. Posada created thousands of
drawings but is best known for his calaveras (skeletons), associated with el
Dia de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Growing up in a small house with seven
siblings, it was his brother, Cirilo, that observed his artistic talent and
enrolled him in a local art academy. From working in a print shop, Posada
learned lithography, engraving, and developed etching. He drew political
cartoons and illustrated books and pamphlets in addition to his print work. Tonatiuh explores Posada’s life in a beautiful
picture book format incorporating his own artistic style in depicting Posada’s
calaveras and the meaning behind the calaveras.
3.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tonatiuh explains how calaveras came about and their
use in celebrating the deceased. In sequence, the clear, direct narrative
unfolds with José Guadalupe Posada’s early life growing up in a large family,
going to school, and learning print work. How-to guides are inserted within the
text to describe lithography, engraving, and etching. The biography continues
with Posada’s voice in politics through his political cartoons and
illustrations on broadsides exemplifying numerous themes. The deeper meaning of
Posada’s calaveras are explored by Tonatiuh when he asks the repeating
question, “Was Don Lupe saying that...”, for example, when comparing powerful
government figures, the question is asked, “…Even powerful leaders one day
become calaveras?” Even the illustration of the calaveras trampling each other makes us wonder about what Posada was saying,
“…We can try to go faster but one day we will all reach the same finish line
and become calaveras?” Tonatiuh also compares the festive calaveras to the violent
drawings of the Mexican Revolution, “Was Don Lupe saying that sometimes
calaveras are not a laughing matter?”
An extensive author’s note supports the biography's accuracy as it describes the holiday El
Dia de Muertos to include its origin, the difference in celebrations by region,
similar holidays, decorations, and literary calaveras. Posada’s illustrations of
calavera poems is discussed along with the backstory of how he became well
known after his death. Other nonfiction text features utilized to illuminate
the biography are a glossary of terms, bibliography, art credits, listings of
Posada’s work, and an index.
The illustrations are on heavy paper with borders of
bones in muted, earth tones. The pages are filled with black outlined drawings along
with digitally layered textures of Tonatiuh’s signature flat style incorporated
with Posada’s artwork. Children will find the appeal in the cartoon-like
depictions of Posada’s life from his birth to his creative use of the calaveras in reminding the reader events in his Mexican heritage.
The two artistic formats are blended as Tonatiuh’s paperboys are
selling Posada’s literary calaveras. On a double page spread, the powerful leaders
are compared. Tonatiuh draws them with their hats and guns but on the opposite page Posada draws them as
calaveras. Tonatiuh
creates his own calaveras in Posada’s style with an update to how the calaveras
would look today. It is an amusing connection for today’s readers as the
calaveras are playing in a band, reading, skating, street dancing, and even a
dog is included. Tonatiuh has created a clever picture book biography of a
remarkable individual in Mexican culture.
4.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Orbis Pictus Honorable Mention 2016
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner 2016
Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Honor Award 2016
American Library Association Notable Books for
Children Winner 2016
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of
2015
“This exceptional picture-book biography profiles
Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), who is remembered primarily
for his portrayal of calaveras, the droll skeletons prominent in Día de Muertos
(Day of the Dead) celebrations. Playful but informative, this picture book
offers a fascinating introduction to the artist and his work.” From Booklist,
July 01, 2015
“Tonatiuh offers a comprehensive look at the life of
Mexican artist and printmaker José Guadalupe "Lupe" Posada, while
providing a crash course in lithography, engraving, etching, and studying art.
With a wealth of biographical and contextual information (much of it in an
extensive author's note), it's a valuable introduction to Posada that will
leave readers thinking about the process of creating art and the social impact
it can have.” From Publishers Weekly, July 20, 2015
“Simple yet effective sentences accompany step-by-step
images detailing the artistic processes that Posada learned as a printer's
apprentice: lithography, engraving, and etching. Tonatiuh explains the poetry,
posing questions about the artist's intentions and adding historical context,
explaining the calaveras that Posada created in response to the Mexican
Revolution. Extensive back matter includes links where students can see
Posada's original work and an author's note that suggests using the calaveras
"to learn and celebrate el Dia de Muertos." From School Library
Journal, September 01, 2015
5.
CONNECTIONS
Students will meet Duncan Tonatiuh as he introduces
and shares some of the backstory for creating Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras at http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=12080&a=1
Students will explore Posada’s art at the online
museum collections at:
National Museum of Mexican Art educator resources can
be found at:
The educator resource includes the Day of the Dead
Teaching and Learning Guide for Grades K-12 by mail or download. http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/sites/default/files/Posada%20Educator%20Guide_1.docx
The guide is an overview of Posada’s background, Day
of the Dead traditions, and lesson plan ideas to include Calavera Poems-Part I
(Gr. 7-12), Calavera Poems-Part II (Gr. 7-12), Culminating Hands-on Activity:
Calavera Prints, and Catrin and Catrina Figurines (Gr. K-6).
Have students create their own calaveras highlighting
it with a humorous, satirical, or political comments.
Then have students create
their own political cartoon around a specific issue after studying political
cartoons and with their interpretation. Depending on the students age, build background
by sharing political cartoons with varying artistic styles. Online sources can
be found at:
Share other Day of the Dead story books such as, Festival of the Bones = El festival de las Calaveras:
The Little-Bitty Book for the Day of the Dead by San Vicente or Winter’s Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead
Alphabet. Also, try these activities from Day of the Dead crafts: more than 24 projects that celebrate Dia de los
Muertos by Jerry Vigil.
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