Book excerpt: "Folklore is an important affirmation of the cultural identity of the Latino people--one they are proud to pass on to each new generation and share with the rest of the world. Latino folklore encompasses a great variety of genres, such as folk narrative, song, dance, speech, food, clothing, children's games, theater, riddles, folk belief, folk medicine, and folk religion. Latino folklore is a fun and fascinating subject to many Americans, regardless of ethnicity. Interest in--and celebration of--traditions such as Dia de los Muertos in the United States is becoming more common outside of Latino populations. Celebrating Latino Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Cultural Traditions provides a broad and comprehensive collection of descriptive information regarding all the genres of Latino folklore in the United States, covering the traditions of Americans who trace their ancestry to Mexico, Spain, or Latin America. The encyclopedia surveys all manner of topics and subject matter related to Latino folklore, covering the oral traditions and cultural heritage of Latin Americans from riddles and dance to food and clothing. It covers the folklore of many different Latin American countries as these traditions have been transmitted to the United States, documenting how cultures interweave to enrich each other and create a unique tapestry within the melting pot of the United States."--Page [4] of covers.