Children's Literature: Pura Belpré Award
Pura Belpré Award
The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. - American Library Association
Award-Winning & Honorary Books
Mexikid by
Publication Date: 2023An unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy's family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from MexicoAlebrijes by
Publication Date: 2023For 400 years, Earth has been a barren wasteland. The few humans that survive scrape together an existence in the cruel city of Pocatel - or go it alone in the wilderness beyond, filled with wandering spirits and wyrms. They don't last long.Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by
Publication Date: 2023A powerful and expertly told novel in verse about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis by an award-winning poet.Benita y Las Criaturas Nocturnas by
Publication Date: 2023This humorous celebration of bedtime reading puts a global twist on taking the "scary" out of monsters, now in Spanish!Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by
Publication Date: 2023Mexican American comedian Jesos Trejo's debut picture book, a little boy makes a big, funny mistake and learns the value of resources like time and water-both of which have a magic all their own.Something Like Home by
Publication Date: 2023The Pura Belpré Honor winning novel in verse, in which a lost dog helps a lonely girl find a way home to her family . . . only for them to find family in each other along the way.Frizzy by
Publication Date: 2022Rose Bousamra's Frizzy is about Marlene, a young Dominican girl whose greatest enemy is the hair salon! Through her struggles and triumphs, this heartwarming and gorgeous middle-grade graphic novel shows the radical power of accepting yourself as you are, frizzy curls and all.Where Wonder Grows by
Publication Date: 2022From the creators of the award-winning picture book All Around Us comes another lyrical intergenerational story exploring our connections to nature, family, and traditions.Still Dreaming / Seguimos Soñando by
Publication Date: 2022Telling this story from a child's perspective, award-winning author Claudia Guadalupe Martínez lyrically recounts this often-overlooked period of United States history--Mexican Repatriation. Emotive illustrations by Magdalena Mora convey this poignant tale of longing for home and permanence, which reflects many of the dreams and hopes of people today.Srta. Quinces (Miss Quinces) by
Publication Date: 2022Rising star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera!Phenomenal AOC by
Publication Date: 2022AOC's remarkable story begins in her childhood Bronx home and comes full circle the moment AOC became America's youngest congresswoman. Ocasio-Cortez's empowering journey reminds us that everyone, regardless of their age, race, creed, wealth, or zip code, is capable of being a voice for change.Magic by
Publication Date: 2022In her acclaimed debut as author and illustrator, Mirelle Ortega shares her own story of growing up near her family's pineapple farm in Mexico, where she learned the true meaning of magicA Land of Books by
Publication Date: 2022From an award-winning author-illustrator, A Land of Books pays tribute to Mesoamerican ingenuity and celebrates the universal power of the written word.Tumble by
Publication Date: 2022From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk and Strange Birds, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she's never met.The Coquíes Still Sing by
Publication Date: 2022As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans.Child of the Flower-Song People by
Publication Date: 2021Award-winning illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life debut author Gloria Amescua's lyrical biography of an indigenous Nahua woman from Mexico who taught and preserved her people's culture through modeling for famous artists.Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by
Publication Date: 2021Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution.De Aquí Como el Coquí by
Publication Date: 2021En esta emocionante historia, basada en las propias experiencias del autor e ilustrador, un niño se muda de Puerto Rico a los Estados Unidos en donde descubre que la ciudad de Nueva York tiene mucho más en común con la ciudad de San Juan que lo que el podia imaginar.¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat by
Publication Date: 2020 (eBook)Jam-packed with fun details and things to see, the Vamos! books are perfect for fans of Richard Scarry and Where's Waldo?Efrén Divided by
Publication Date: 2020"We need books to break open our hearts, so that we might feel more deeply, so that we might be more human in these unkind times. This is a book doing work of the spirit in a time of darkness."--Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango StreetSharuko by
Publication Date: 2020A fascinating bilingual picture book biography of Peruvian archaeologist and national icon Julio C. Tello, who unearthed Peru's ancient cultures and fostered pride in the country's Indigenous history.Dancing Hands by
Publication Date: 2019In soaring words and stunning illustrations, Margarita Engle and Rafael López tell the story of Teresa Carreño, a child prodigy who played piano for Abraham Lincoln.Planting Stories: the Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by
Publication Date: 2019"An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian...a must-have for all libraries." --School Library Journal (starred review)Soldier for Equality by
Publication Date: 2019Award-winning author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of a Mexican-American war hero Jos. de la Luz S.enz (1888-1953)--or Luz--believed in fighting for what was right. Although he was born in the United States, he and his family experienced prejudice because of their Mexican heritage.Across the Bay by
Publication Date: 2019Carlitos lives in a happy home with his mother, his abuela, and Coco the cat. Life in his hometown is cozy as can be, but the call of the capital city pulls Carlitos across the bay in search of his father. Jolly piragüeros, mischievous cats, and costumed musicians color this tale of love, family, and the true meaning of home.My Papi Has a Motorcycle by
Publication Date: 2019A celebration of the love between a father and daughter, and of a vibrant immigrant neighborhood, by an award-winning author and illustrator duo.¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market by
Publication Date: 2019Bilingual in a new way, this paper over board book teaches readers simple words in Spanish as they experience the bustling life of a border town.Dreamers by
Publication Date: 2018In spare, lyrical verse and the vibrant images for which she has become legendary, Yuyi has created a lasting testament to the journeys, both physical and metaphorical, that she and Kelly have taken together in the intervening years.Islandborn by
Publication Date: 2018From New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz comes a debut picture book about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination.When Angels Sing by
Publication Date: 2018Celebrate music icon Carlos Santana in this vibrant, rhythmic picture book from the author of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters.La Princesa and the Pea by
Publication Date: 2017Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, and captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.All Around Us by
Publication Date: 2017Grandpa and his granddaughter meditate on gardens and seeds, on circles seen and unseen, inside and outside us, on where our bodies come from and where they return to. They share and create family traditions in this stunning exploration of the cycles of life and nature.Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by
Publication Date: 2017Brown's story recounts Frida's beloved pets--two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn--and playfully considers how Frida embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal.Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist by
Publication Date: 2016Juan Garcia Esquivel was born in Mexico and grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands. He loved music and became a musical explorer. Defying convention, he created music that made people laugh and planted images in their minds.Drum Dream Girl by
Publication Date: 2015Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere.My Tata's Remedies - Los Remedios de Mi Tata by
Publication Date: 2015Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford grew up in Nogales on the Arizona-Mexico border. Born into a pioneering Jewish family with roots in Eastern Europe, Roni embraced the languages, cultures, and people on both sides of the border. Now a retired bilingual educator, her first book,My Nana's Remedies / Los Remedios de mi Nana, is a classic, a parent's and teacher's friend for teaching children traditional values.Mango, Abuela, and Me by
Publication Date: 2015When a little girl's far-away grandmother comes to stay, love and patience transcend language in a tender story written by acclaimed author Meg Medina.Funny Bones by
Publication Date: 2015Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras--skeletons performing various everyday or festive activities--came to be.Mango, Abuela, and Me by
Publication Date: 2015When a little girl's far-away grandmother comes to stay, love and patience transcend language in a tender story written by acclaimed author Meg Medina.Viva Frida by
Publication Date: 2014Frida Kahlo, one of the world's most famous and unusual artists is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases.Ole Flamenco by
Publication Date: 2010With colorful, action-packed photographs and accessible text, readers are sure to feel Janira's excitement and catch flamenco fever.Martina the Beautiful Cockroach by
Publication Date: 2007The beautiful Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha doesn't know coffee beans about love and marriage, so when suitors come calling, what is she to do?Los Gatos Black on Halloween by
Publication Date: 2006This lively bilingual Halloween poem introduces young readers to a spooky array of Spanish words that will open their ojos to the chilling delights of the season.Dona Flor by
Publication Date: 2005Doña Flor is a giant woman who lives in a puebla with lots of families. She loves her neighbors-she lets the children use her flowers for trumpets, and the families use her leftover tortillas for rafts. So when a huge puma is terrifying the village, of course Flor is the one to investigate.Gracias Thanks by
Publication Date: 2005Straight from the heart of a child flows this lighthearted bilingual celebration of family, friendship, and fun. Come share the joy, and think about all the things for which you can say, "¡Gracias! Thanks!"
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