Common Sense Media Review
By Monica Encarnacion
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartfelt tale of pet loss, remembrance on Day of the Dead.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
REMEMBERING is a story that revolves around a family and how they commemorate the life of their cherished pet dog during the Día de Muertos celebration. Through the lens of the customs of Día de los Angelitos, one of the ritual celebrations of Día de Muertos, readers are introduced to the rich traditions and rituals of this Mexican holiday. The book intertwines cultural education with themes of love, loss, and the importance of keeping memories alive. Detailed steps for building your own "ofrenda" are also included at the end of the book.
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully crafted picture book masterfully blends the themes of remembrance, cultural tradition, and the power of family bonds. Garcia's engaging and colorful illustrations in Remembering will captivate young readers and its universal message of remembrance will resonate with both children and adults. The vibrant artwork paired with González's tender prose makes this a beautiful picture book that not only educates readers about the beauty of Día de Muertos but also imparts essential life lessons about love, loss, and the importance of cherishing memories. Intimate author's and illustrator's notes at the end of the book are not to be skipped; their stories of loss and how they brought Gonzalez and Garcia together to create this gorgeous picture book invite readers in and remind them to be part of the beautiful traditions "passed on from our indigenous ancestors."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the family traditions in Remembering. Does your family have traditions to remember loved ones who have passed? What are they? Why are they important?
What makes the main character strong and compassionate? How does she demonstrate strength, compassion, and empathy? How do these character strengths help her get through a difficult time and pay homage to her beloved pet?
How does the family find comfort as they hold their departed pet's memory alive? How does the family support one another during this time of grief? How do you help others when they're feeling sad?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Adriana M. Garcia
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Holidays
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 29, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Pura Belpré Awards and Honors
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate