The Ofrenda That We Built
THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT is a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 2025 Crystal Kite Award Winner!
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It is Día de Muertos—the Day of the Dead—and the family ofrenda is at the center of the celebration! Inspired by the popular nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built,” The Ofrenda That We Built invites readers to join in the building of a colorful ofrenda, a home altar full of symbols and meaning, one special element at a time.
This gorgeous book is written by my daughter Shaian Gutiérrez and me and illustrated by the fabulous Gabby Zapata! I can't wait for you to connect with this story of our hearts!
You can support a local independent bookstore and order your copy here:
Other places where you can find The Ofrenda That We Built: https://smarturl.it/TheOfrendaThatWeBuilt
Awards:
It's also a recipient of the Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Kids’ Book Awards under Nonfiction Books, was featured on Kidlit TV, and was named a De Los Reads pick for November 2024 by the Los Angeles Times!
Awards:
THE OFRENDA THAT WE BUILT by Jolene Gutiérrez, Shaian Gutiérrez, and Gabby Zapata is a SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, a Colorado Author's League 2025 Best Illustration Award winner, a Golden Poppy Finalist in the Mirrors & windows: excellence in children's literature category, a The Children's Book Review and Imagination Soup 2024 Best Picture Book, Bookstagang’s Best Read Aloud, a 2024 Denver Public Library Staff Pick, won the Undies/Case Cover "Let Me Introduce You to the Characters" award, and received a Children's Book Council 2025 Favorites Award.
The book was included in Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books 2024/Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2024. It's also a recipient of the Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Kids’ Book Awards under Nonfiction Books, was featured on Kidlit TV, and was named a De Los Reads pick for November 2024 by the Los Angeles Times!
Reviews:
⭐"Gutiérrez’s rhythmic, cumulative story is a natural read-aloud, gathering momentum as the family snips colored paper into graceful papel picado, collects treasured mementos, and prepares their abuelo's favorite food. A few Spanish words are seamlessly woven into the narrative, intuitively deciphered by context. Zapata’s digitally rendered illustrations are warm and vibrant, mirroring the sensorial experience a traditional ofrenda offers. Comprehensive back matter contains the history of Día de Muertos, notes from the authors and illustrator on their connection to the holiday, visual instructions for readers to make their own ofrenda, and a glossary of the common ofrenda elements. A rich, rhythmic ode celebrating Día de Muertos, this read-aloud is recommended for all school and public library holiday collections." --School Library Journal
"The bouncy verse scans well, accompanied by richly hued visuals depicting a loving, brown-skinned family taking part in the festivities. In the authors’ and illustrator's notes, the creators discuss the personal significance of this holiday; readers will also find more background on Día de los Muertos. A lively and illuminating look at a holiday tradition." --Kirkus
"Adhering to the structure of “This Is the House That Jack Built,” mother-daughter authors Gutiérrez compose a warmly rendered rhyming poem, in English and Spanish, about a family preparing for Día de los Muertos. By the time tamales, sweet bread, and photographs grace the ofrenda, the book makes it clear how the family’s combined efforts—fittingly reminiscent of the book’s cumulative format—honor a beloved ancestor. Bright digital illustrations by Zapata impart joy through the actions of the Latinx-cued family in this inviting work. Creators’ notes, contextualizing information, and how-to instructions conclude." --Publishers Weekly
Shaian and I celebrated our book birthday via video with Cat Galeano from the Highlights Foundation because Shaian's still working at a school in China. You can see us chat and read more here: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/2024/08/12/celebrating-a-book-birthday-with-jolene-and-shaian-gutierrez/
