Dia De Los Muertos

When Martin goes to his Spanish teacher’s house for his weekly lesson, he is impressed by all the decorations. Are they for Halloween? It turns out that Martin’s teacher is celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, a festival that honors loved ones who are no longer living. Although Martin is initially a little wary of all the skeletons, he soon appreciates the way Dia de Los Muertos combines good food and memories in a really fun way — enough so that Martin teaches his own family to celebrate the festival as well.

This story gives context to the Dia De Los Muertos or "Day of the Dead" festival celebrated in the Americas. The festival uses skeleton imagery and altars in which there are photographs of family and friends who had died. The tone is celebratory rather than grieving, but families who are sensitive about the subject of death should be advised.