Pura Belpre Award Winner and Honors Books

The Pura Belpre Award is given annually to a Latino or Latina writer or illustrator whose work celebrates the Latino culture in a work of literature for children or young adults.  The award was established in 1996. It was named for the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library.

The Pot That Juan Built

Andrews-Goebel, N.(2002).The Pot That Juan Built. Lee and Low Books.

This true story about Juan Quezada, a professional potter, tells of how he makes his famous clay pots in Mexico.  The story tells of how he digs the white clay, uses cow-manure fire, makes paints from the rocks surrounding his village, and uses human hair for his brushes. It is written in the style of " The House That Jack Built", with rhyming words and repetitive text that will have your child reading along with you. 

This book is a great way to introduce the pottery of the Mata Ortiz village in Mexico to your child.  Juan Quezada, the famous Mexican potter, discovered the shards of pottery from the Indians that lived in the hills surrounding his village as a young boy.  He taught himself how to make this traditional pottery of his ancestors.  He then taught his village.  His village has prospered into a community of artists, thanks to Juan.  A beautiful true story to read to your child.

Maria Had a Little Llama/Maria Tenia Una Llamita

Dominguez, A. ( 2013). Maria Had a Little Llama/Maria Tenia Una Llamita. New York,NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Here is a Peruvian twist to the classic nursery rhyme of Mary Had a Little Lamb.  The author includes illustrations set in the mountains of Peru, with clothing and culture woven throughout the picture book.  The author includes a map of famous places in Peru, such as the Inca Trail, Andes Mountains, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu. The author includes both English and Spanish on every page, so it is truly a bilingual book for children. 

The illustrations are bright and colorful.  The Peruvian village includes red tile roofs, a small open air market, a church, and a plaza typical of Spanish influences in South America. The traditional clothing and instruments of the folk band in the village would be a great way to start introducing your child to the Peruvian culture.   The map is also a great way to teach your child famous places in Peru and the Inca culture that shaped the land and people.

Little Roja Riding Hood

 

Elya, S. (2014). Little Roja Riding Hood. G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Here is a latin twist on the classic fairy tale. Little Roja is taking some sopa, or soup to her Abuela's in the woods.  She rides her four-wheeler through the woods with her cat when the Wolf appears. He suggests she pick flowers for Abuela, and while Little Roja is picking flowers, he steals her red capa and takes off for Abuela's.  When the Wolf arrives, Abuela notices the large eyes, ears, and  teeth of the Wolf, and just as the Wolf was about to attack Abuela, Little Roja bursts through the door and throws the hot soup at the Wolf. He runs away, but Abuela thinks she needs a plan to keep safe.  So Roja and Abuela shop for a security system to keep her safe from now on.  And now when Roja travels through the woods to Abuela's house, she always takes her sopa caliente.

Sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases throughout, here is a version of Little Red Riding Hood that is updated and has a Spanish flare.   Little Roja's mother watches telenovelas , Abuela has a laptop computer, and Abuela installs a security system.  Throughout the book, the illustrator includes the Three Blind Mice and some little elves on Little Roja's adventures.  Also, Little Roja rescues the grandmother herself, showing a strong feminine character.  The author also includes a glossary of the Spanish words used in the book, which is a great way to learn some Spanish vocabulary.  This is a version of Little Red that should not be missed!

Juana & Lucas

Medina, J.( 2016). Juana & Lucas. Candlewick Press.

Juana is a little girl who lives in Bogata, Columbia with her mother and her dog Lucas.  She is a spunky little girl who loves drawing, Astroman, Brussel sprouts, soccer, and much more.  The new school year is starting, and Juana soon learns she will have to learn " the English".  She is not a fan of " the English", and finds it hard and impossible to learn.  As she interacts with all of the people in her life, they all tells her how wonderful to learn English.  They explain how it will help her, her community, but most of all, her abuelos have a special surprise....a trip to Florida to visit Astroman in Spaceland, who only speaks "the English".   Juana works hard to learn English and can soon read and speak English very well. It is finally time for her trip to Spaceland.  When she finally meets Astroman,  she tells him everything on her mind in English.  But she soon discovers, Astroman doesn't speak at all, Spanish or English.  Juana discovers that learning English was not so bad after all though, and learns her love of traveling. Now she can't wait to learn all sorts of languages so she can travel all over the world. 

Children will enjoy reading Juana's story of school, family, friends, and her lovable dog Lucas.   They will relate to her point of view that learning something new is hard, and not always fun.  They can relate and connect to her adventures of bullies, grades, and best friends.  This book is one that teaches children that learning something new can be rewarding and have benefits. 

Gracias/Thanks

Mora, P. ( 2009). Gracias/Thanks. Lee & Low Books.

A little boy gives thanks to all the things he encounters in a day, from the sun in the morning that wakes him up to the crickets at night that sing him to sleep.  He thanks all of the simple things throughout the day that you would not usually think to thank.  He thanks the bees for not stinging him, the worm on his hook to help him catch a fish, and more.  Gracias/Thanks is written in both Spanish and English throughout the entire book, including the dedication page. 

This is a bilingual book that can be enjoyed by both Spanish and English readers.   The Spanish text is on the left and English on the right.  The brightly colored illustrations are detailed and bring the story to life.  A great book  to teach children to be thankful for the simple things in life.

Nino Wrestles the World

Morales, Yuyi. ( 2013). Nino Wrestles the World. Roaring Brook Press.

This picture book is about Nino, a boy who pretends he is a famous wrestler, or champion lucha libre competitor. Nino wrestles the mummy, the alien, El Chamuco, and other wrestlers.   He has moves and sayings which crush his opponents.   In each of his  matches he is the clear winner.  But when his little sisters, or Las Hermanitas, wake from their nap, he is no match for them.  They tickle him, pounce on him, and he is finally defeated by him.  He decides if he can't beat them, he will join them. 

This is a hilarious book about Nino, the Mexican wrestler.  With a blend of Spanish and English, this multicultural book is pleasing to the eye and the ear.  Morales introduces us to the popular Mexican wrestlers wit their Spanish names.   Boys will especially love the wrestling moves of Nino.  A great way to introduce some Mexican culture into your child's life in a fun-loving way.

Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert

Schmidt, M. ( 2012). Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert. Clarion Books.

This beautifully illustrated book tells about the life of Martin de Porres.  Born to a slave and a noble Spaniard in the barrio of Lima, he was a bi-racial boy who grew up in poverty.   His mother called him a rose in the desert, but when baptized, the priest named him Martin.  When he was eight years old, his father, Don Juan de Porres, took him back to Ecuador with him.  When he became older he was apprenticed to a cirujano, or surgeon back in Lima.  One day he healed a man, and as a gift, the man brought him lemon seeds.  Once they were planted by Martin, the tree grew overnight and was said to have lemons year round.  He soon became know to have healing powers.  At the age of 15, he gave his life to the Monastery.  The priests told him he could never become a priest because he was of mixed blood.  He became a servant and served the priests well. He was soon know to heal animals and people alike. He served the poor people in the barrio and cured their sicknesses.   After thirteen years, he was finally accepted into the priesthood.   He as no longer considered just a son of a slave, but a rose in the desert.  He was known for performing miracles throughout his life and serving the forgotten poor.

Martin de Porres became the first black saint in the Americas.  His life is remembered as one of service, compassion, and charity to the poorest in Lima.  He is the patron saint of mixed race, interracial relations, social justice, public education, and animal shelters.   This beautiful book shows his remarkable life from a poor boy in the barrio to a beloved priest in Lima.  This would be a great book that shows it doesn't matter the color of your skin, but the kindness of  ones heart.

Chato's Kitchen

Soto, G.(1995). Chato's Kitchen. Putnam.

Chato is a "low riding"  cat from the barrio. His new neighbors, a family of mice, are just what he is looking for as a tasty treat.  He decides to invite them over for a dinner party. They accept only if they can bring their friend, Chorizo. Chato thinks this will work out perfectly.  Not only will he have the mice family for dinner, but one more mouse is even better.  Chato and his friend, Novio Boy, make a meal of tortillas,  salsa, beans, rice, guacamole, and other traditional Mexican dishes.  They even make flan for dessert.  When the mice show up with their friend, they discover that Chorizo isn't a mouse, but a dog!  The mice reassure Chato and Novio Boy that Chorizo is a friendly dog.  So, instead of eating the mice, they eat the food with their guests.

This is a great book to introduce some Mexican culture to your reader. Soto introduces a variety of Spanish phrases, as well as a variety of Mexican dishes, such as guacamole, salsa, quesadillas, and flan.  This trickster tale from the barrio will sure to delight the young readers in your life.

Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors

Thong, R. (2014). Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors. Chronicle Books.

This concept book on colors introduces Spanish words associated with different colors.  The book also includes many Mexican traditions along the way, such as baile folklorico and pinatas.  It also includes holidays celebrated such as The Day of the Dead.  A variety of foods from Mexico are also represented in this color book.  The illustrator includes colored, detailed pictures to support the text and to illustrate the traditions and holidays.  At the end of the book, the author includes a glossary of the Spanish words for the reader.

This is an informative and fun way to introduce the colors in Spanish to your child.  The illustrations do a great job of visually describing the traditions and holidays celebrated in Mexico.  The glossary at the end is a great way to give more explanation on each Spanish word represented in the book.

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale

Tonatiuh, D. (2013). Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Pancho Rabbit's father has to go to El Norte for work when the spring rains do not come to their rancho. When it was time for Papa to come home, Papa did not return.  Worried about his father, Pancho packs up some food in his pack and set off to find Papa.  Along the way, he meets Senor Coyote.  For some of his food, the Coyote tells Pancho he can show him a shortcut to the North.  Pancho agrees and they begin on a journey towards El Norte.  When they reach a river, Pancho doesn't know how to swim, but for the more of his food, Coyote will help him across.  Pancho agrees and they walk on until they come to a fence that is guarded by snakes.  Coyote tells Pancho that if he gives the snakes all of his tortillas, they can use a tunnel that goes under the fence.  Once again, Pancho agrees and they crawl through the tunnel.  They finally arrive at a shack to rest.  Coyote asks Pancho for more food, which he doesn't have.  Coyote then leaps to eat Pancho.  Suddenly, Papa appears with his friends, who chase off Coyote.  Papa tells Pancho that all of the money he made was stolen by a gang of crows. Then they all return back home together to their home on the rancho. 

This is the story of the hundreds of unauthorized immigrants journey to the North, or the United States, to find work.  This book is filled with many symbols that represent the dangers during the journey the immigrants face.  Coyote represents the human smugglers that smuggle people across the border for exorbitant fees. The river represents the Rio Grande that the immigrants cross to reach the United States.  The snakes represents border patrol and the gang of crows represents the gang violence illegal immigrants face.  The issue of illegal immigrants  is currently a hot topic debated by both sides. The author's note at the end of the book says there are more than 5.5 million children of illegal immigrants in the united States.  This is a book that can introduce this sensitive issue to children.