Remembering

“Today I prepare your favorite meal and serve it in your special place.” Following the death of family dog Simon, a Latinx-cued child readies for Día de Muertos to celebrate the loved pet’s life. Gathering Simon’s favorite items with a serious air, the child next pours water “for you, my constant companion,” gathers objects from the animal’s favorite trail, and, with family, lights candles and creates a path of petals “to guide your way home.” González employs a slightly melancholic tone, offering a stirring invocation of the power of healing alongside loved ones. Saturated mural-style illustrations by Garcia portray swirls moving around the family’s home, where the four figures gaze at photographs of the dog that extend, like living memories, beyond their frames, building to an image of the child interacting with the pet in front of an altar: “This is the way we remember you.” Creators’ notes and information on building an ofrenda conclude. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)