Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras

by Duncan Tonatiuh

Hardcover, 2015

Status

Available

Call number

769.92

Genres

Nonfiction

Publication

Harry N. Abrams (2015), 40 pages

Description

Art. Biography & Autobiography. Juvenile Nonfiction. Multi-Cultural. HTML: Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras�skeletons performing various everyday or festive activities�came to be. They are the creation of Mexican artist Jos� Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852�1913). In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he first drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons throughout much of his life, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico's D�a de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe's, author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity. The book includes an author's note, bibliography, glossary, and index..… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Salsabrarian

This little-known artist of very popular works gets his due in Tonatiuh's book for children. Readers not only learn about Posada's life but also about different printing techniques, how to interpret art, and a little Mexican history. Posada's work is incorporated into the illustrations and layouts,

recalling the broadsides he printed. A terrific work to enhance resources about art, artists and Day of the Dead. Extensive back matter provides more material to jump off from.

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LibraryThing member tbeard76

A look into the life of Posada an printer and artist who used his art as a way to make people think about things in life from politics to the day to day. That ultimately no matter who we are, all of us are calaveras.

LibraryThing member TammyBB

Step-by-step instructions, deep questions, and colorful artistry accompany the story of how Posada's calaveras came to symbolize the dead.

LibraryThing member katiegotur

I loved how this book had pages that looked like posters that Lupe made. The skulls all had their own personality. This is a great book to get kids into art work and teach them about the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead.

LibraryThing member MaowangVater

Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada was a political cartoonist who used lithography, engraving, and etching, to publish his work in newspapers and as broadsides. It is his broadsides of calaveras—humorous graphics of skeletons acting as if they were living and playing, singing, wearing clothes,

riding bicycles, and sweeping the streets—that have been widely reproduced for Día de los Muertos celebrations. His calaveras also influenced artists Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco.

Tonatiuh’s pictorial biography mixes Posada’s distinctive calaveras with Tonatiuh’s own distinctive flat drawings of people whose faces are always shown in profile. There are also two calaveras of Posada’s predecessor Manuel Manilla included in an illustration. Tonatiuh has colored these collages of his own and the earlier artists’ work to produce a vibrant humorously bright picture book that’s appended with an informative author’s note, bibliography, glossary and index. Throughout the book the author challenges his young readers to reflect on the meaning of the art. Is it social commentary, memento mori, or perhaps a bit of both?

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LibraryThing member Dipodomy

The story of the life of Don Lupe, known by his artists name Posada for his calavera (skeleton) style of art. An all around great book. The art is vibrant, a mix of indigenous mexican inspired illustrations mixed with pictures of work by the subject. The text is simple but engaging, it gives a good

amount of detail without becoming slow or overly complicated. The book delves into deep topics such as life and death, class and equality, art and fame, but all at a level that is appropriate for younger readers.

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LibraryThing member ewyatt

The book is beautifully designed and a quick, easy read. It explores the life of Don Lupe Posada and his work as a printer and artist. It explores lithography, engraving, and etching. Cartoons and Posada's drawings pepper the work, particularly his calaveras. There is an exploration of the meaning

of various pieces of his artwork. Thorough end notes and research notes wrap up the short text. Spanish language is peppered throughout the work as is cultural information on Dia de Muertos and the calaveras.

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LibraryThing member Lilly.Reid

Learn about the tradition of Day of the Dead calaveras through the beautiful artwork and life of Jose Guadalupe Posada.

LibraryThing member canderson15

This is a book about Jose Guadalupe Posado

LibraryThing member catiebarber

I very much enjoyed learning about Posada and his life, I had actually never heard of him. I had thought that the calaveras (skeletons) were just a part of Day of the Dead, but I never realized that they were highly stylized by Posada and his art. This book is beautifully illustrated and contains

many of Posada's prints. My favorite part of the book is nearing the end when every other page is a question about who we are and what did Posada mean by his art. Quite a few awards on this book!

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LibraryThing member jennybeast

Fascinating short biography, exploration of the origins of Day of the Dead imagery and printmaking. It's a pretty heady combination, and the extremely cool illustrations add a lot to the experience. I do think it's an over simplification to attribute all printed calavera-like imagery to Posada,

given both Holbein and Duhrer's dance of death woodcuts, but it's very interesting that the popularity of them can be dated to him.

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