AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO

I’m delighted to welcome my dear amiga and fellow Día de Muertos writer Judith Valdés to the blog, to talk about her beautiful and heartwarming award winning book AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO.

This is such a touching story and one that has resonated deeply with me as I’m someone who misses my own dogs, Chester and Peluzo, very much. For this reason, being able to highlight this special book means a lot to me.

A bit about AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO:

Losing a pet is hard, but this picture book, told through a Day of the Dead celebration, will show readers that the love they have for their beloved companion will always remain.

Benito loves Perro, but when Perro passes away, he is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro, he realizes that his love for his beloved companion and the happiness Perro gave him will always remain. Told with honesty and hope, this heartfelt book is the perfect story for any child coping with loss and for those who celebrate–or want to learn more about–Día de los Muertos.

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Now on to our interview:

M. Amiga, I’m so glad to have this chance to talk about your beautiful book! Can you share what inspired you to write this story? Why a book about Día de Muertos?

J. My experiences growing up in Mexico and celebrating Día de Muertos and my special connection with pets. I have always had pets. In this story, I wanted to explore the idea of honoring that bond, even after they’re gone. The tradition of Día de Muertos felt like a perfect way to tell a story about love, loss, and memories.

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M. I agree, Día de Muertos is such a beautiful tradition that focuses mainly on love and remembrance. The fact that in your book the main character misses his beloved pet makes it very relatable to children in a special way. What was the most challenging scene to write in this story? What was your favorite?

J. The most challenging scene was capturing the boy’s emotions as he struggles to make sense of his loss. Even while writing and revising that part, I often cried. I wanted to make sure his grief felt authentic. My favorite scene is when the boy finishes the ofrenda and feels a sense of comfort—it’s a powerful moment of healing.

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M. I love your answers, and I can tell you that the feeling of grief does come across authentically, as well as that moment of comfort and healing. You did a great job! Can you tell us how was it for you to see the illustrations of your characters for the first time? Do you have a favorite spread?

J. Seeing the illustrations for the first time was magical! It brought the story to life in a way that exceeded my expectations. I have several favorite spreads, but the one where the boy sets up the ofrenda is one of them. The colors and details are just beautiful.

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M. That’s a beautiful spread! It’s full of details and colors, and perfectly captures what Día de Muertos is about. Carlos Vélez is so talented! Amiga, what message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?

J. I hope readers will take away the importance of remembering and celebrating those we’ve lost, whether they are people or pets. Love transcends time and space, and our memories keep that love alive.

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M. Your book has encountered so much love since it was released. It won an award, got translated into Spanish, and now it will be translated into Portuguese. Congratulations! Can you talk about what these milestones mean to you? How was the translation process like for you?

J. Thank you! Each milestone feels like a huge honor, and it also humbles me. It means the story resonates with people across cultures, which is so rewarding. Translating it into Spanish was personal, as it is my mother tongue. The Portuguese translation for Brazil is exciting, too—it opens the story up to even more readers.

Amiga, thank you for your time! I loved getting to know more about your book and how it came to be. Congratulations on all the success you’ve achieved so far and may it touch many more people around the world, wherever it goes next. 💜

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JUDITH’S BIO

Judith Valdés B. is a Mexican American author-illustrator, born and raised in a pueblo full of vibrant colors and traditions. Currently living in Mexico City, Judith celebrates her cultural roots through storytelling. Her debut picture book, AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO, received a Kirkus Star review, is a Charlotte Huck Honor book, and was included in the Bank Street College of Education’s list of the best children’s books, 2024 Edition.

Social Media handles: @JudithValdesB

Thanks for reading!

M

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📸 Cover photo by Chris Luengas.