storyTELLING; bilingual storytime ( )

Synergy: Pura Belpré Award

The Pura Belpré Award is named after the first Latina librarian in the New York Public Library system. Established by divisions and affiliates within the American Library Association, the annual award is given to a Latinx author or illustrator who “best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience” in a work of children’s literature.

Read the recently published picture book biography for children then learn more at the website.

PURA’S CUENTOS by Annette Bay Pimentel is a tribute to librarian and bilingual storyteller Pura Belpré. After arriving in New York from Puerto Rico, Pura Belpré finds that the library lacks children’s books about her homeland. She decides to share the stories of her youth and ultimately writes her own children’s book. Children will be attracted to the bright colored illustrations and educators will enjoy the book as a read-aloud. The title concludes with an author’s note and biography.

The Pura Belpré Award website is maintained by ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children. The website contains information about the award and a complete list of medal and honor books.

To learn more, go to https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpre.

ARC courtesy of ABRAMS. ( )