When Merced artist Lilibeth Jimenez was trying to get her first book published, it started as a Halloween children’s book with illustrations.
Her cultural heritage was nestled in the pages of that book as a small section on El Día de los Muertos.
“Everybody who saw it was captivated by that the most,” she said.
An editor at Scholastic told her the piece was the heart of the story and urged her to reframe it for Día de los Muertos.
The result is It’s Time for Día de los Muertos, published July 1 by Scholastic’s Cartwheel imprint.
Jimenez both wrote and illustrated it, designing every digital brushstroke. The book is aimed at children ages 5 and under.
In the story, the character Meli gathers items to build her family’s altar.
“She’s baking bread with her dad, and they’re making ponche — Mexican hot fruit punch – things that her family members who are no longer with her really liked,” Jimenez said.
By the end, Meli learns that “the most important part is that the people that she has lost remain,” Jimenez said. “They live on in her heart, and they’re with her.”
Beyond the traditional celebrations, Jimenez hopes the book gives parents a way to start talking with small children about remembrance.
“It honors it by making an introduction for little children to start to talk about the concept of Día de los Muertos,” she said. “We believe that even though our loved ones pass away, they’re still around in one way or another, and we keep their memory alive and we honor them.”
Merced roots and Valley stories
Jimenez, 29, grew up in Merced. Her parents worked in the fields.
“They would work long hours in the fields in the heat and in the cold,” she said.
Those stories now weave their way into her art and future projects. She wants to write not only holiday stories but tales rooted in immigrant life in the Central Valley.
Her style leans toward color and texture.
She draws digitally but uses brushes that mimic crayons, watercolor, and markers to hold some of the feel of traditional art inside a digital workflow.
Getting published by Scholastic still feels surreal to her.
“Sometimes it still randomly hits me, like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is published by Scholastic,’” she said. “When I first got the first version of it that they sent me to look at, I just stared at it for a while in disbelief.”
She’s already contracted for two more illustrated books — one publishing in 2026, another in 2027.
Jimenez said she is excited to see more local celebrations in Merced, something she did not often get to enjoy when she was growing up.
“Now that I’m older, I’m able to see that come alive here, and it’s been exciting to see.”
Día de los Muertos events across Merced and the Valley
A number of Día de los Muertos-themed events are planned across Merced County and nearby communities this year, offering residents opportunities to honor loved ones and celebrate tradition.
Here is a roundup of what has been announced so far. Be sure to check event pages for the latest updates.
- Friday, Oct. 31, Livingston: Día de los Muertos – 5-9 p.m. Courtyard Plaza 633 Main St.
- Saturday, Nov. 1, Merced: Book signing & read-aloud with Lilibeth Jimenez, 4–6 p.m. at Second Time Around Bookstore, 958 W. 18th St
- Saturday, Nov. 1, Merced – Nov. 1: Cultiva Merced and Humble Rice Farmer Photo drop-off for ofrenda Dia de los Muertos event, 4:30–9:30 p.m.534 W. Main St.
- Saturday, Nov. 1, Merced: Annual Dia de los Muertos Reception & candlelight procession, 3–6 p.m. at the MAC Black Box Theater, 645 W. Main St.
- Sunday, Nov. 2, Hornitos: Hornitos Candlelight Vigil to honor Día de los Muertos begins at sunset at the Hornitos Plaza.
- Thursday, Nov. 6, Merced: Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Night Mercado and Community Ofrenda Celebration, Bob Hart Square, 6-9 p.m., 531 W. Main Street.
- Friday, Nov. 7, Merced: UC Merced EJIE Día de los Muertos – Collective Ofrenda & Reception, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Glacier Point 169