Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in many Latin American countries between October 31^st - November 2^nd. As fans of the movies Coco or The Book of Life already know, this holiday is a time when families get together to remember their loved ones who have passed away. Many of these Latin American families create ofrendas to display inside their homes. These ofrendas are a table or small shelf that hold family mementos that serve to remind them of relatives, pets or sometimes even famous people. Flowers, toys, pictures and pastries all take up space in an ofrenda as an "offering" to their loved ones who are no longer with them.

This year San Mateo County Libraries will be celebrating Day of the Dead through several craft activities for families, and teens as well. Several branches will also be hosting a community ofrenda where patrons are welcome to leave items in memory of a loved one. They will be on display through November 3^rd. Check our events page for details and locations on events at your local library.

Looking for titles to get you in the mood for Día de los Muertos? Check out the below books to learn more about this special holiday.