Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh
UPDATE: 10/28/15 Funny Bones is a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2015! 11/19/15: A Washington Post Best Children's Nonfiction Picture Book 2015
Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras—skeletons performing various everyday or festive activities—came to be. They are the creation of Mexican artist José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852–1913). In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he first drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons throughout much of his life, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe’s, author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity.
The book includes an author’s note, bibliography, glossary, and index.
My review: There is so much to glean from this biography of a lesser known figure in the art world. Beside learning more about the evolution of the celebration of The Day of Dead, the Mexican revolution and Mexico’s culture, my sense of how the arts are a means of reflection and expression for politics, culture, and individuality, was underscored Posada’s life story. Not only are processes of lithography, engraving and etching introduced and explained, means of publishing available to the people are discussed: printing newspapers, books, pamphlets, broadsides and literary calaveras, a form of illustrated, rhyming, funny poetry. Posada made a living as a print shop owner and derived a new way of political expression during a time of many changes to the culture of Mexico. The book offers readers ways of thinking about these calaveras and skeleton figures by asking questions and encouraging interpretation. In the author’s note, Tonatiuh provides background on the origins of the Day of the Dead celebration from ancient central American cultures, followed by more recent historical details about Posada’s life and the emergent recognition of his enduring talent and influence in Mexican art.
Tonatiuh’s Mixtec-influenced illustrations make an apt complement to this picture-book biography of one of Mexico’s most beloved artists, José Guadalupe Posada.
Don Lupe, as he was called, used the printing techniques of lithography, engraving, and etching. Each technique is summarized in four-panel layouts, and sample images of his calaveras and calacas (skulls and skeletons) are liberally incorporated into the illustrations. Many of the iconic images associated with Día de los Muertos were created by Posada as integral elements of his world-renowned political satire, particularly during the Mexican Revolution. Tonatiuh skillfully blends his own distinctive style of digital collage and hand drawings not only to highlight events in Posada’s life, but also to add whimsical elements by introducing contemporary calaveras. He incorporates amusing, thoughtful exercises for young readers into the narrative, prompting them to interpret the messages behind Posada’s artwork. Also included is an in-depth author’s note on the history of the Day of the Dead and an extensive glossary. In addition, a bibliography, list of art credits, and venues where Posada’s art is displayed are provided for further exploration of Posada’s life and work. Phonetic pronunciation is, unfortunately, only sporadically and unevenly sprinkled throughout the story.
Following on his Sibert Honor–winning Separate Is Never Equal (2014), Tonatiuh further marks himself as a major nonfiction talent with this artistically beautiful and factually accessible offering that effectively blends artistic and political content for young readers. (Picture book/biography. 7-13) – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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. Posada is best known for his calavera images (featuring the skeletons associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead), which Tonatiuh intermixes with his own brand of hieroglyphic digital collages. Reproductions of Posada’s calavera images accompany questions that encourage readers to consider their meaning (“Was Don Lupe saying that… no matter how fancy your clothes are on the outside, on the inside we are all the same?”). 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. Ages 6–10. – Publishers Weekly, starred review
Playful but informative, this picture book offers a fascinating introduction to the artist and his work. – Booklist, starred review
Author/illustrator Duncan Toniatuh’s books have a combined four Pura Belpre Honor Awards, one Sibert Award, and more than eight starred reviews. Duncan was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende. His work is inspired by Ancient Mexican art, particularly that of the Mixtec codex. His aim is to create images that honor the past, but that address contemporary issues that affect people of Mexican origin on both sides of the border.
A New York Times
Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2015
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
By Duncan Tonatiuh
This biography of the Mexican artist, who popularized calaveras both as a form of political protest and a popular entertainment, integrates Posada’s own prints with Tonatiuh’s winsome, cleverly layered compositions. “Befitting its subject, the book communicates through its visual aesthetic,” Maria Russo wrote. “Tonatiuh’s eye-catching earth-toned digital collages, with occasional blasts of dusky purple or blue, feature people who look like the swoopy, postmodern descendants of Mexican folk figures.” -- The New York Times
A Washington Post Best Children's
Nonfiction Picture Book 2015
This out-of-the-ordinary picture-book biography of a Mexican artist shows not only the sort of work he produced (including skeletons inspired by the Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico), but how he made it. -- Washington Post
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
Duncan Tonatiuh
Abrams Books for Young Readers
9781419716478
Cloth
$18.95
Pub Date: 8/25/2015
