It is the first Day of the Dead celebration since the passing of his Tío Fernando, for whom he was named, and Nando prepares to honor this beloved relative. As he wanders through the market, seeing all of the traditional treats and decorations associated with the holiday, he wonders what it will be like to meet Tío Fernando's spirit. Later, as he and his mother keep vigil at the cemetery, Nando does feel a connection, and is happy that his uncle knows that he is loved and not forgotten...

Pairing an engaging, heartfelt narrative from American author Janice Levy with appealing, expressive watercolor artwork from Venezuelan illustrator Morella Fuenmayor, The Spirit of Tío Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story / El espíritu de tío Fernando : Una historia del Día de los Muertos offers a lovely exploration of the customs and meaning of the Day of the Dead. Far from being a morbid or frightening occasion, it is a joyous remembrance of loved ones who have passed away, but who are still important to the family they left behind. This is a bilingual book - Spanish translation is provided by Teresa Mlawer, who also worked on Bob Barner's The Day of the Dead / El día de los muertos - so it can also be used in Spanish language and/or ESL classes. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about the Day of the Dead. ( )

The Spirit of Tio Fernando is an authentic depiction of The Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Latino countries, from the perspective of a little boy. The book actually has both English and Spanish text; the same story is written in each language side-by-side on the page. This would be an interesting book for a bilingual student or one who is trying to learn English or Spanish. It could also open up discussions about customs in different cultures. Americans do not celebrate the dead as a part of their culture. This story reminds children that families from around the world are different. The writing does not stand out in any particular way, but there is a nice question-and-answer/problem-and-solution element to the story as Nando tries to figure out how he will feel the spirit of his uncle when they go to visit his grave.

The Spirit of Tio Fernando is about The Day of the Dead, and how a young boy and his mother pay tribute to the boy's dead uncle. The story takes you through the custom of setting up an altar, purchasing symbolic offerings in the market, listening to songs and performances about death, and then going to the cemetery to pay tribute to your lost loved ones. It is also about showing the dead that they are not forgotten. A wonderful little book that has been written in a bilingual format!

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