I love that there are so many great picture books that handle tough topics like death and grief, and Popo the Xolo absolutely falls within that class. This is such a fantastic story of Nana journeying through Mictlan and seeing her family’s love for her. The art for this book is so beautiful and I couldn’t help but to stay on each page just to absorb all the detail and texture. I really loved this book and the message it had.

Netgalley ARC - this is absolutely fantastic and I think it would be an important addition to any picture book collection! I think it is sensitive and vibrant and beautiful. The art and language is perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Paloma Angelina Lopez for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As a former Spanish teacher, this culture-filled children’s book warmed my heart! I loved seeing Nana go through the 9 levels of Mietlan and seeing her family celebrating her life on the other side. While I know some about particular Spanish cultures, this book taught me more about things that I had never seen! I loved the sprinkling of Spanish words throughout the text and truly hope to add this one to my personal library once I have kids! What a great way to help kids see different understandings of grief and passing.

Popo the Xolo was an absolutely beautiful story with beautifully well done illustrations. What a wonderful treat this book was and it's such a needed addition to the world of picture books. I loved it and I will definitely be picking up copies of this and recommending it to everyone.

This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. The pictures were stunning, and I found myself going back and forth to admire particular pages. The story itself is about family and death and grief, but it's also hopeful and full of love.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

This was such a heartfelt little read. As someone who is Latinx, I loved seeing myself represented in a story that talked about grief and death. From the frijoles on the stove to the smell of Fabuloso in the air. The illustrations were so well done, and you could spend a good amount of time just admiring the detail in each one.

Thank you Charlesbridge and Netgalley for the eARC, all thoughts are my own.

Oh my gosh, this book is beautiful. ♥

We follow the story of beloved Nana who, after she dies, must travel to Mictlán with her ever faithful dog Popo. Despite the long journey, Popo pushes her on through a variation on what Indigenous Mexicans believe to be the nine levels of the journey to the afterlife. With gorgeous, heartfelt illustrations, we follow Nana and Popo through rivers, mountains, snow, and wind. When she finally makes it back to her home, she knows that although her family is mourning her loss, they'll always remember her and treasure what she loved -- including her beloved Popo.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the beautiful story of a the day of the dead and a Nana who dreams of going on a journey with her dog, Popo. The illustrations are beautiful. Even better are the Spanish words (about 3 on each page) that are mixed in through the story. This is perfect for English speaking children who are learning Spanish.

This is a beautiful and sensitively written book about death and grief filled with exquisite illustrations. For readers who do not speak Spanish or are not familiar with the nine levels of Mietlan the end of the book also contains a helpful glossary and additional information that will enrich the reading experience.

Wow. This is how you write a children's book about death.
-Nana isn't sad - she's reassured by her friend and her family and memories.
-There is no questioning what happened.
-The illustrations are fantastic.
-I love that Nana is a badass and the story is about HER, not everyone else.
-I love the dual language.
-Religion is important to Nana but doesn't have to be for the reader to get something from it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I will purchase this one and share with my children as one way people think about death.

A beautiful introduction to present day Mexico’s Indigenous culture. This heartwarming story follows Nana’s journey through the 9 levels of Mictlān with the help of her beloved Popo, a Xolo dog. Abraham Matias’ beautiful illustrations are captivating, depicting important moments in Nana’s life and journey.

This story ends in what anyone who has experienced loss can relate to as bittersweetly. Nana is at peace and finally reunited with her husband as her family grieves and celebrates her memory. For those unfamiliar with Mictlān and the Spanish vocabulary sprinkled in, there is a glossary in the back that describes each of the 9 levels and a pronunciation guide.

Thank you Paloma Angelina Lopez and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful story early.

An emotionally powerful picture book exploring deep themes of life, death, and the celebration of those we love. Inspired by the nine levels of Mictlān and the symbolic role Xolo dogs play as spiritual guides in Indigenous Mexican traditions, this book gently approaches big questions, helping children process grief and loss.

For me, this story felt deeply moving and poignant. Any reminder of life's finiteness brings sadness, but I strongly resonate with the beautiful idea that our loved ones remain alive in our memories—and as long as we remember, they never truly leave us.

The cover has an amazing visual impact, and the artwork immediately drew me in—just like the narrative, which conveys a difficult topic in an incredibly beautiful way. As an adult, I engage with the theme differently, which is why I always find it fascinating to see how loss and death are presented for children. The story itself, with Popo as a companion and protector on the final journey, is both heartfelt and playful. I love the contrast between a heavy subject matter that is softened through the artwork and Popo. I can’t get enough of how visually and artistically stunning this book is! It’s truly breathtaking!

As a European, I’m not deeply familiar with Mexican rituals. My closest experience with them was probably through Pixar’s Coco. That’s why I really appreciated that the book includes an explanation of the “Nine Levels of Mictlán” at the end, along with their meanings. Of course, the illustrations tell a story as well, but without that context, I wouldn’t have fully grasped this layer of significance.

I find the combination of visuals, artwork, text, and the informative section absolutely outstanding. I deeply appreciate how this book portrays loss and grief while offering comfort—it’s a truly beautiful piece of work.

I really liked this book! It really liked how the artistry looked textured and the bright colors. The story was interesting and taught me several new words. I like that the sentences helped you gain context to what the words meant as well as the translation dictionary at the end. It made the story very approachable.

This is a gorgeous book. Not only is the writing style beautiful, but the art is also high-quality. I don’t think I can say anything negative about it, so please allow me to praise it for a few more words.

First, the theme is addressed in a sensible, humanitarian manner. There is nothing morbid, dark, or uncomfortable about the way the story evolves. Family unity and peace are perhaps the most relevant topics besides the central themes of grief and death, maybe even more on some pages. Lopez delivers a story that celebrates life and reminds us there is always a light at the end.

There are times when I forgot this is a story about a grandma dying because it looks more like a fantasy adventure, proving Lopez’s mastery of her craft. Something so dreadful is portrayed in a simple, celebratory manner: we are not happy that Grandma died, we’re happy that she is free from illness, pain, and discomfort.

Full review published in The Wild Hunt: https://wildhunt.org/2025/03/review-popo-the-xolo.html