"El dia de los muertos" is like Halloween in Mexico. It's the day when the beloved dead return to visit the living.

"El Dia De Los Muertos" or Day Of The Dead in Mexico is like Halloween in other places.

This is Chico Chihuahua's baby picture. !Que angelito mas precioso!

Chico was born in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, so McAveler checked with him to see what he knew about in Mexico.

Sure enough, Chico knew about a fascinating Mexican custom called The Day Of The Dead.

This is what Chico told McAveler about Halloween crafts in Mexico.

The belief behind The Day of the Dead is that spirits of our dearly departed return for one day of the year to be with their families.

It is said that the spirits of babies and children who have died (Chico calls them "angelitos" or "little angels") arrive on October 31st at midnight, spend an entire day with their families and then leave.

Adults are said to come the following day.

Day of the Dead Altars

The spirits are greeted with offerings of food and things that the person enjoyed in life. These are laid out on a altar in the family home.

It is believed that the spirits consume the essence and the aroma of the foods that are offered. When the spirits depart, the living consume the food with their family, friends and neighbors.

Other items that are placed on the altar include , often with the person's name inscribed on the top, pan de muertos, a special bread that is made especially for the season, and cempasuchil (marigolds) which bloom at this time of year and lend a special fragrance to the altar.

Festivities take place in cities and villages throughout Mexico, though each location may have different customs and ways of honoring their dead. You can witness Day of the Dead celebrations anywhere in Mexico, but the festivities are particularly colorful in Janitzio and Patzcuaro,

Janitzio is a small island in Patzcuaro Lake and is easily reached by boat from Patzcuaro. The island is home to the Purepecha people who have elaborate Day of the Dead rituals.

There are processions and music, folk dances are performed and families gather in the cemetery to spend the night chanting and singing.

Perhaps the most impressive sight is the fishermen in their rowboats with torches lighting up the lake.

Here is an assignment from Chico Chihuahua:

Translate the following secret coded message in Spanish from Chico:

"Los muchachos y las muchachas que estudian mucho son muy inteligentes."

or someone who speaks or reads Spanish to help you translate the secret message and then report it back to your parents or teacher.