Move over golden retrievers—there’s a new canine king in town, and he’s got ancient roots and serious style! Popo the Xolo is a heartwarming and culturally rich story that follows the adventures of Popo, a Xoloitzcuintli (that’s Mexico’s hairless dog with a name that sounds like a tongue-twister and a soul that’s pure gold).
From the very first page, Popo captures your heart—not just with his loyal tail-wagging, but with his deep connection to heritage, healing, and spirit. This isn’t just a story about a pet; it’s about family, love, and embracing your unique identity (even if you’re a little wrinkly and bald… and maybe see ghosts 👀).
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy

I really enjoyed Popo the Xolo. The illustrations are superb and distinctive, with rich jewel tones, collage art, and detailed faces. They add a great deal of warmth to the simple narrative text.

The subject (death of a loved one, their journey through scenes representative of cultural heritage, and their spirit returning to visit their family) is one that shouldn't be shrugged away. Yes, it's serious, and as a librarian I know that serious books can struggle some with appeal. But I have also assisted many patrons searching for books that can help children cope with death. Popo the Xolo is a vibrant reminder that death doesn't have to be sad. It shows Abuela being healed of her aches and pains and not needing her cane anymore. She no longer struggles with cold, and her sadness at having lost her husband is soothed. It shares a culturally rich, non-Christian perspective on death and the afterlife. I also did not see anything here in direct conflict with any religion. It's a book that I think could be enjoyable on a variety of different levels: as a cultural exploration, as a comfort to those who have lost loved ones, as a story that could make death less scary to everyone, and as a visually enjoyable picture book.

Back matter includes a full glossary and an explanation of the mythology surrounding death in indigenous Mexican culture. There's also more information about xoloitzcuintle (xolo dogs), and their cultural significance.

So sad, but also so hopeful and happy! This book was lovely, and followed a grandmother's afterlife journey. Great for fans of Coco.

The description: "Nana is surrounded by family and takes joy in her many grandchildren. She's also tired and feels pain. Soon she begins her transition from life into death, accompanied by her beloved Xolo dog, Popo.
Together they go on Nana’s journey, and by the end of the story, Nana's family celebrates the many years of love they shared with her. And a grandchild will now care for Popo."

This is a beautifully illustrated children's book which captured the family atmosphere and the nine levels of Mictlan. The story sensitively communicated grief and loss to the family as well as the familial love for the grandmother. This was an excellent way to weave culture, language, and tradition into one story. I appreciate how the Xolo was described accurately in indigenous culture and mythology.

I enjoyed the book so much that I reread it. My Kindle download ( which was vertical instead of horizontal) wasn't the best way to read such a beautiful book, so I'd recommend buying a print copy. I see a Pixar movie in the making for this book.

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for review.

Popo the Xolo is a book about death, dying, grief, and the journey to the afterlife. It’s a very age appropriate book for children and incorporates the teachings of Indigenous Mexican culture. The paper cut art style is so beautiful and the story itself is lovely. I also appreciated the extra information at the end of the book and the translated words. As someone who has spent a lot of time learning about grief and death and dying, I love this book! I would highly recommend.

I. Cried.

I never cry.

Would that we all had a xolo to lead us on this final journey.

Anyone who has lost a loved one would be comforted by this story, especially when la abuela's aches and pains go away and she is reunited with Tata. Her final visit to her family is heartwarming, as she sees how much her familia loves her and that Popo will be taken care of.

Six out of five.

So much about this book to love!

From an elementary librarian’s perspective, Popo the Xolo is the ideal read aloud to use for Dia De Los Muertos or anytime there is a need to review the emotion of grief. I have a soft spot for books that do a good job dropping in Spanish words (taught at a school with a lot of students speaking Spanish) but this is a GREAT use of Spanish. This book is total PERFECT read aloud material, seriously. The illustrations are captivating and whimsical, which adds to the emotions that we go through as we follow Nana and Xolo on her journey. Even without being read around Dia De Los Muertos, this book taught me something I didn’t know, I wasn’t familiar with the folklore of the journey after death as it is known in indigenous Mexican cultures. It tastefully tackles grief as well, as we do see the family mourning Nana and how grief doesn’t always need to be sad.

The dual language use is enough to embolden students that do know Spanish to speak up and share their knowledge. A great stepping stone for a child to develop a vernacular for Spanish or to help acquaint a Spanish speaking student with English. All of it would make a dynamic read aloud. I will definitely recommend this to teacher friends and any family that is looking for a way to explore the emotion of grief, or want to learn more about indigenous Mexican cultures.

“Popo the Xolo” is a profoundly moving, culturally rich, and visually striking story about life, death, and the love that binds us across both. Rooted in Indigenous Mexican beliefs about Mictlān, the underworld with nine levels, the book gently introduces children to the concept of grief and the afterlife through the eyes of Nana and her loyal Xolo dog, Popo.

As Nana begins her final journey, guided by Popo, we follow them across magical, symbolic landscapes—from icy winds to rivers of memories. The narrative gracefully balances emotional depth with comfort, repeating the phrase “Keep going. ¡VÁMONOS!” like a heartbeat of resilience. These moments are mirrored in breathtaking paper-cut illustrations by Abraham Matias, which mix warmth, sorrow, and hope in equal measure.

Spanish words and cultural elements are naturally woven into the text, with a glossary at the end and a gentle primer on Mexican Day of the Dead traditions. For families navigating loss or simply seeking a book that speaks about death in a respectful, hopeful way, this is a standout.

It’s a beautiful resource for educators, counselors, and families alike, one that honors not only grief but also heritage, memory, and love that never truly fades.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations are rich and really moving and oh so gorgeous, with a dreamlike quality that honors both the life, memory and death. I am not an expert on Indigenous Mexican traditions and culture, but this story offered a meaningful glimpse into the beliefs surrounding the afterlife. I'm so happy to have this window to see an introduction for me, and other readers of all ages who want to know more.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for this digital arc.
Surrounded by her family, Nana begins the passage from this world to the next. She will be accompanied by Popo, her Xolo dog. In the Mexican culture, the Xolo dog breed is an important guide that protects a dying person from evil spirits and helps the soul journey through the nine levels of Mictlan to reach the afterlife. The journey can be treacherous, but in the end there are happy memories. Each page explodes with vibrant and glorious artwork. Back matter includes an explanation of the “Nine Levels of Mictlán”, a glossary of Spanish words in the text, dealing with grief, and a short description of the Zolo breed. My understanding of death as celebrated in the Mexican culture was brought to a new level. Loved this book!
#PopotheXolo

This book is amazing! The illustrations are breath-taking! The story line is timeless and classic. I will recommend this book all year!

For fans of the movie Coco, as well as indigenous Mexican culture, this beautiful book about death and grief will enchant readers. The story follows Nana and her xolo dog, Popo as he guides her through the 9 levels of Mictlan, the Indigenous Mexican afterlife. The illustrations are textured and dreamlike. The narration focuses on her journey, but reflects on good memories, and the sadness she feels at times. It also highlights her happiness and at the end Nana accepts that she is at peace and her family will feel happy with their memories of her.

This is a beautiful book about life and death, love and loss. I highly recommend this to schools and libraries.

Grounded in the rich indigenous Mexican beliefs surrounding the nine levels of Mictlān, the underworld, and the loyal Xolo dogs who guide souls, this book offers a sensitive and visually stunning exploration of life, loss, and the enduring power of family. Vibrant, slightly whimsical but with a hint of magic, the illustrations in the book move the reader even before one reaches the words, setting the stage for a deeply emotional narrative. We all know how complicated processing grief is, more so for young children. Losing a grandparent is hard to understand and accept for them. My daughter has, on occasion, cried at the thought that her grandpa is now in heaven, and I have been at loss as to how to console her. This book is an addition to our list of books that we have been reading for past 2 years now. What makes this one different from others is how this book is grounded in the importance of the 9 levels of Mictlān and the role Xolo dogs play in Indigenous cultural understandings of present-day Mexico. Reading about Nana, accompanied by Popo their Xolo dog, making her journey from life to death and how Xolo now becomes the link that leads the family on after the loss was soothing and comforting. The book not only threw light on the indigenous cultural beliefs and practices in Mexico, but also emphasized how important family and familial bonds are.

Lovely picture style! It takes you on a journey with beautiful art work. I suppose it is a children's book, yet I feel like it's beautifully done so that adults will enjoy it too. I found some things hard to pronounce myself, but it has a very clear cheat sheet for the Spanish words in the end as well as an explanation about the journey they make. Really nice & educating as well

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.