Review - Skeletitos

Skeletitos
by Susie Jaramillo
Date: 2019
Publisher: Encantos
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 22
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Tomba-la-ca, tomba-la-ca, tomba-la!


Come enter into the creepy-crawly, mischievous and mysterious world of Skeletitos, where being on the other side of life is never an excuse for not having a good time! Inspired by the beautiful Mexican calavera art by Jose Guadalupe Posada,

Skeletitos is a celebration of the ordinary and the completely extraordinary. Tap your fingers or stomp your feet, no need to sit still. After all, before you know it, our time will be up! Our Day of the Dead themed tales carry a comedic twist for kids, encouraging them to be wary, conscious, funny and self-aware.

The first book in the Skeletitos collection features a moveable clock. Little fingers will be tempted to change the hour along with the story, while learning to count and tell time!

(synopsis from NetGalley; see it on Goodreads)

I think something's missing reading this in e-book format. It looks like there are flaps to lift, and a clock with movable hands (which, of course, you don't get to play with as an e-book). That said, however, this is a decent book that might help kids learn how to tell time. It also functions as a counting book.

I think whether readers like this one is going to be a matter of taste (and perhaps culture). I find the skeleton drawings--as cute as they are--a bit macabre and creepy. They're almost all in black and white, with just touches of colour, so it's a very dark-looking book. (If you're expecting a Day of the Dead-themed explosion of colour like you'd see in Coco, you're liable to be disappointed.)

Overall, this is just an okay book for me. If kids are really into skeletons and/or Day of the Dead stuff, they might enjoy this more. Its real value probably lies in the counting and time-telling aspects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Encantos for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.14 out of 5