The pura belpre book award

1. The purabelpre book award “The Pura Belpre award is un regalo, a gift….the best is that this regalo doesn’t end there. It grows as children and adults, encouraged by the prestige of the Pura Belpré seal, open your book, read, see, and connect with your work.” -Yuyi Morales (recipent of award) Presentation created by: Heather Karazin April 2010

2. History & Significance of award • Established in 1996 • Recognized books biannually until 2006; now is awarded annually • Recognizes a Latino/Latina author & an illustrator whose work represents and celebrates Latino culture • Named after Pura Belpre the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library • Children’s librarian who was a pioneer in preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore

3. About the organization • Award is co-sponsored by: • The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) • The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate • REFORMA • Actively seeks to have Spanish language and Latino materials in librarys

4. Criteria for selection • Must be published in the US or Puerto Rico • Recipients must be citizens & residents of US or Puerto Rico • Fiction or Nonfiction published in Spanish, English or Bilingual • Outstanding books (authors) are defined by: • Interpretation of the theme or concept • Development of a plot • Delineation of characters • Delineation of setting • Appropriateness of style

5. Criteria for selection of illustrator • Outstanding illustrations are defined by: • Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed • Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept • Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme, or concept • Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood, or information through the pictures • Positive and authentic portrayal of Latino culture • Excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience Reference: http://www.lita.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/belpresubmission/belprmedaltrms.cfm

6. Recent Selections 2010 Winners • Author: Julia Alvarez for Return to Sender • Illustrator: Rafael Lopez for Book Fiesta!: CelebrateChildren’sDay/BookDay; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros 2009 Winners • Author: Margarita Engle for The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom • Illustrator: Yuyi Morales for Just In Case

7. references • ALA (2009). Association for library service to children. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from, http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/belpreabout/index.cfm • ALA (2009). Association for library service to children. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from, http://www.lita.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/belpresubmission/belprmedaltrms.cfm • ALA (2009). Association for library service to children. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from, http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/moralesquote.cfm • REFORMA (2010). The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from, http://www.reforma.org/ • Underdown, H. (2010). A children’s book editor’s site: The purabelpre award. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from, http://www.underdown.org/pura-belpre-award.htm