Max Benavidez

When Pina's Uncle Ancho comes to visit her in California, his stories of his sister, Maria de Flor, a young girl with a birthmark like a flower on her cheek, who died when she was only sixteen years old, strike a deep chord. One night, Pina dreams that she is visiting her extended family in Oaxaca, celebrating the Day of the Dead with them, and honoring Maria de Flor's memory...

A slim picture-book, Maria de Flor: A Day of the Dead Story / María de Flor : una historia del día de los muertos features an engaging bilingual text from author Max Benavidez, and striking artwork from illustrator María Elena Castro. The story itself is somewhat surreal, and emphasizes the power of stories to inspire us, whether awake or asleep. The illustrations look to be done in a variety of media, with collage and photographic elements, and the use of what looks like paper mache puppets and brightly-colored wooden animals. This is an unusual book, and doesn't look to be in that many libraries, nationwide. It can however, be accessed HERE, on the Internet Archive. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for unique Day of the Dead stories.… (mer)