Gustavo, the Shy Ghost and Tamayo's Ghost

Featured Book: Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, written and illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago
Featured Artwork: Ghost (1964) by Rufino Tamayo

In Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, written and illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago, Gustavo wants nothing more than to make friends with other monsters, but he is shy and feels invisible when he’s near them. He decides to invite the monsters to his violin concert on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The monsters love his concert and discover that, even though Gustavo is quiet, he is a good friend and full of surprises.

Artist Rufino Tamayo (Mexican, 1899–1991) created several artworks featuring ghosts. Here, we see a textured print of a ghostly figure with arms stretched out. Tamayo was inspired by the figures depicted in ancient Mexican art, which were not exactly lifelike. He included simplified figures in his own work as a form of human connection.

In celebration of Día de los Muertos, share a memory of a loved one who has passed by writing or making a drawing about how they were special to you.

If you don’t have access to the featured book, select something similar from your child’s book shelf or your local library. Many of the books are also available as read-aloud videos online.