Carrying pumpkins, squash, lemons, flowers and candles, teens set up a small altar at the North Branch Library to discuss the significance of Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, on Tuesday night.

The group, part of the library’s Teen Advisory Board, decided to talk about the Latin American holiday at its “passport” meeting, when members share information about various countries.

DRC/Karina Ramírez

Ryan High School senior Emily Ray paints Christal Arriaga’s face during “Passport to Mexico: El Día de los Muertos,” an event at North Branch Library on Tuesday.

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“Passport to Mexico: El Día de los Muertos” covered the predominately Mexican holiday, which is coming up on Sunday and Monday.

“The rituals associated with these days are a mixture of Catholic and native beliefs,” read Emily Ray, 17, a senior at Ryan High School, from a book about the holiday celebration.

“Death is seen as part of life in Mexico,” she said. “The dead are never forgotten and people believe the dead return for a few days each year to be with the living.”

After reading about the Day of the Dead, some of the teens decorated masks, played loteria — a famous Mexican game similar to bingo — and painted their faces.

“People think it is about Halloween, and it is not,” said Jennifer Moor, 16, a student from Ryan High School and a member of the teen group that meets monthly to discuss books, movies and other topics of interest.

Juli Gonzalez, teen librarian and group coordinator, said she wanted to do something fun so that the kids could learn about the holiday.

“The teens help with program ideas; we have book reviews and summer readings,” Gonzalez said.

Through its passport meetings, the group has learned about the Polynesian Islands and Venice, Italy, and has celebrated Chinese New Year.

“There are different cultures here to learn about and learn from,” said Iruna Kharel, 14, who was creating a paper mask along with her brother Imoj, 12.

Jessika Salinas, 32, brought her two young boys to the meeting.

“I wanted them to learn what it is and what it means to our culture,” she said. “It is to celebrate the souls of our past ancestors.”

Salinas, who was born in Brownwood and has lived in Denton most of her life, said she remembered her grandmother setting up altars at their home.

“My grandmother used to do it and so does my mom. She set up candles and put pictures of the saints like the Virgin of Guadalupe on her altar,” Salinas said.

In addition to the altar, the Teen Advisory Board also had a display of Day of the Dead figurines and other art borrowed from a collector.

Next year, the teens will explore aspects of Japan and possibly the United Kingdom.

“So many kids will like that,” Gonzalez said.

KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com .

Day of the Dead: www.mexonline.com/daydead.htm

Día de los Muertos (in Spanish): www.diadelosmuertos.us

• W.S. Ryan Elementary School Days of the Dead Celebration

When: 1:45 and 6:30 p.m. today

Where: cafeteria/auditorium, 201 W. Ryan Road

Details: Students from the school’s bilingual classes will dress as Mexican artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and others, and lead a procession that includes a presentation about the Day of the Dead. Other entertainment includes songs and dance, as well as a mariachi band from the University of North Texas. Call 940-369-4621.

• Día de los Muertos Art Show & Celebration

When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday

Where: Rose Marine Theater/Galería de la Rosa, 1440 N. Main St., Fort Worth

Details: For more information, call 817-624-8333.

• Día de los Muertos Altar Celebration

When: noon, Monday

Where: Chilton Hall, Room 209, on the University of North Texas campus

Details: Dr. Alicia ReCruz, professor of anthropology at UNT, will explain how the day is celebrated in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. Participants can bring nonreturnable photos and mementos of deceased loved ones to be blessed and placed on the altar. Call 940-565-2663.

• El Día de los Muertos

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Monday

Where: Texas Woman’s University Student Union, Room 207

Details: Sponsored by TWU’s Office of Intercultural Services and co-sponsored by the following student organizations: Colony of Sigma Lambda Gamma national sorority, Sigma Lambda Alpha sorority and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Call 940-898-3679.