Funny Bones Book Review

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras

Tonatiuh, Duncan. FUNNY BONES: POSADA AND HIS DAY OF THE DEAD CALAVERAS. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

ISBN: 978-1419716478

Duncan Tonatiuh explains how the skeleton illustrations known as "calaveras" were popularized by Jose Guadalupe Posada to celebrate Dia de Muertos. He shows the evolution of the calavreras: from Posada's early days as a printer and political cartoonist satirizing local politicians to the short poems and illustrations that celebrate the ancestors of the Dia de Muertos. Even as his style evolved, he kept some elements of his satirization: criticizing the highborn and politicians.

 Funny Bones Book Trailer

 This narrative nonfiction is a creative blend of information and illustration told with a straightforward prose that emphasizes Posada's life and work by not detracting from it. This straightforward prose also allows the illustrations to portray the aesthetic (the style, color, and symbols) and fun of the Dia de Muertos celebration. There are several little touches that enrich the reading experience. In addition to the main illustrations, Tonatiuh includes headers and footers of bones on each page. Sometimes these bones change to reflect the focus of the page. For example, on the page where Posada begins drawing cartoons, the bones include little pencils (p. 8). This happens again when Posada starts using the etching technique to make his calaveras (p. 19). Tonatiuh also plays with the font and layout to highlight the techniques that Posada utilizes. He uses a serif font for the squares explaining the lithography, engraving, and etching processes. This technique sets this information apart and alerts the reader that they need to pay attention.

Like his prose, Tonatiuh organizes this book in a straightfoward manner, starting with a definition of calaveras (skulls), and tells the reader that "they are the creation of Jose Guadalupe Posada, and this is his story" (p. 3). He then tells Posada's story in a chronological manner: from his birth in 1852 to his death on January 20, 1913, including many salient points. His brother noticed Posada's love of drawing and set him enroll in an art academy. He partnered with different people on his creative journey, and the reader can see how they influenced the development of his calaveras. In an inspired bit of informative illustration, Tonatiuh creates his own calaveras that invite readers to reflect on what they've learned of Posada, "Was Don Lupe saying that... no matter how fancy your clothes are on the outside, on the inside we are all the same? That we are all calaveras?" (p. 23). There are extensive endnotes, including a bibliography, art credit, and a list of museums to see more art by Posada. This narrative nonfiction informs the reader without overwhelming, while entertaining with clever illustrations that also enrich the Posada experience.

Tonatiuh deliberately draws in a style that reflects the ancient Mexican Mixtec art. In an interview with NBC News, he says, "Hopefully my books help Latino children realize that their stories and their voices are important." The extensive back matter with the history of Posada and the calaveras art will further teach students about the importance of this art in Mexican (and wider) society.

 Interview with Duncan Tonatiuh

Programming Connection

Students will brainstorm things that reflect their personality, the things they like, and the things that are important to them. Then they will draw a calaveras that includes the most important images about themselves.