Celebrating November: Dia de los Muertos, Diwali & Veterans Day

November is here (I know, right) and with it brings celebrations and remembrance. With Dia de los Muertos, Diwali, and Veterans Day, we have an opportunity to talk about holidays in other cultures and celebrate and acknowledge those who have served (and their families) through the magic of picture books.

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda is a vibrant reminder that remembering the people we love can be a celebration in itself. It’s a beautiful way to talk about Dia de los Muertos without making it a history lesson.

Mar and her family prepare for Dia de los Muertos with favorite foods, marigolds, sugar skulls, music and plenty of family stories. As they welcome loved ones who have passed, Mar discovers the special ways family traditions and little pieces of the people before us live on.

Filled with gorgeous illustrations, warmth, and a whole lot of heart, this is a lovely introduction to a meaningful tradition and a reminder that the people we love are never truly forgotten.

My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani; illustrated by Supriya Kelkar

The cover of the children's book 'My Diwali Light' features an illustrated family celebrating Diwali, with colorful traditional attire, a girl holding a diya (lamp), and a festive background.

My Diwali Light by Raahkee Mirchandani follows Devi as she celebrates one of her absolutely favorite times of the year: Diwali, the Festival of Lights! From eating samosas and dressing up in her favorite clothes to making sweets, creating rangoli, and painting diyas with her Nani, Devi shares all the little traditions that make this holiday so special to her family.

Filled with colorful, collage style illustrations, delicious food, and plenty of family love, My Diwali Light gets young readers to a celebration centered around family, joy, and light. And who wouldn’t love a holiday filled with sweets, sparkles and beautiful lights?

It Take a Family to Serve by Lisa Wheeler; illustrated by David Soman

Cover of the book 'It Takes a Family to Serve' featuring a military family walking together, with a flag in the background.

This book shines a spotlight on the families behind the brave men and women serving in the military while also commending those in uniforms. Whether it’s caring for pets, keeping up with household responsibilities, raising children or celebrating milestones while a loved one is deployed, these families have their own important role to play.

With beautiful illustrations, and lyrical rhyming text (per usual Lisa Wheeler), this is a heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices of military families while they support and love their heroes from afar, while also showing gratefulness and pride for all those who have served.

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