-- CSUSB.joess - 8 June 2009

Pura Belpre Award

About the Pura Belpre:

Established in 1996 the award is named after Pura Belpre, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. It is awarded to 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.

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremeda/index.cfm

(Pura) Belpré Award

Terms and Criteria

1. Two medals shall be awarded biennially at the Annual Conference of the American Library Association, one to a Latino author and one to a Latino illustrator, for creating outstanding original children's books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
2. The award-winning books must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico. Recipients of the Pura Belpré Medal must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico.
3. The committee in its deliberations is to consider only the books eligible for the award, as specified in the terms.
4. Fiction and nonfiction books for children published in Spanish, English, or bilingual format are eligible.
5. Honor books may be named.
6. If suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year.

CRITERIA FOR TEXT

1. In identifying the author of an "outstanding" book for children, in addition to looking for an accurate and positive portrayal of the Latino culture, the committee members need to consider the following:
   • Interpretation of the theme or concept.
   • Development of a plot.
   • Delineation of Characters.
   • Delineation of setting.
   • Appropriateness of style.
   • Note: Because the literary qualities to be considered will vary depending on content, the committee need not expect to find excellence in each of the above named elements. The book should, however, have distinguished qualities in all of the pertinent elements.
   • Committee members must consider excellence of presentation for a child audience .
2. In considering a book, the committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other aspects of a book are to be considered only if they distract from the text. Such other aspects might include illustrations, overall design of the book, etc.
3. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.
4. In selecting a book, the committee should keep in mind that the award is for both literary quality and presentation for children, as well as for its portrayal of the Latino cultural experience.
5. Particular attention will be paid to the "insider's voice" and cultural authenticity.

CRITERIA FOR ILLUSTRATIONS

1. In identifying the illustrator of an outstanding picture book for children, committee members need to consider the following:
   • 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.
2. The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be used in a picture book. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.
3. Each book is to be considered as a picture book. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the illustration, but other components of a book are to be considered, especially when they make a book less effective as a children's picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc.
4. The committee should keep in mind that the award is for both distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children, and for the positive portrayal of the Latino cultural heritage.
5. Particular attention will be paid to the "insider's voice" and cultural authenticity.

Our Books

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

Author: Pat Mora Illustrator: Raul Colon

2005

In a tiny village long ago lived a girl named Flor, once considered an outcast she grows to become the heart and hero of her village.

The Pot that Juan Built

Author: Nancy Andrews-Goebel Illustrator: David Diaz

2002

Juan Quezada uses a six hundred year old pottery making technique to create beautiful works of art.

Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! Janitor Strike

Author: Diana Cohn Illustrator: Francisco Delgado

2002

Carlitos tells the story of how his mother and the other L.A janitors went on strike.

Laughing Tomatoes and other Spring Poems

Author: Francisco X. Alarcon Illustrator: Maya Christina Gonzalez

1997

A collection of poems about spring and all of the things that happen during that season.

Before We Were Free

Author: Julia Alvarez Illustrator: Julia Alverez

2002

When young Anita's family is faced with torment and oppression of the Dominican Republic's secret police, she has only one wish... to be free.

My Name is/ Me llamo Gabito

Author: Monica Brown Illustrator: Raul Colon

2007

Before the brilliant Author Gabriel Garciz Marquez, there was a young and imaginative boy by the name of Gabito.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Author: Henry Holt Illustrator: Yuyi Morales

2006

On Halloween the every thing comes to life; for better or for worse.

First Day in Grapes

Author: L. King Perez Illustrator: Robert Casilla

2002

Away from his family of pickers, Chico is about to take the bus to school. ..for the first time.

My Colors, My World

Author: Maya Christina Gonzalez Illustrator: Maya Christiana Gonzalez

2007

In the desert, a young Latina girl uses her imagination to find comfort and a sense of belonging in the colors of the environment around her.

The Secret Stars

Author: Joseph Slate Illustrator: Felipe Davalos

1998

On a rainy day in New Mexico, Sila and Pepe are taken on a magical journey by their grandmother to see the secret stars all around them.

Arrorro, Mi Nino

Author: Lulu Delacre Illustrator: Lulu Delache

2004

Latino cultural aspects are being expressed through a collection of nursery rhymes, finger play games, and lullabies.

Juan Bobo Goes to Work

Author: Marisa Montes Illustrator: Joe Cepeda

2000

In the Highlands of Puerto Rico, Juan Bobo works to provide for himself and his mother, but when he is paid for hard work he misunderstands his mothers' instructions.

My Name is Celia/ Me Llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz

Author: Monica Brown Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

2004

Celia Cruz , a girl from Cuba over comes the perils of war and racism to become the Queen of Salsa in America

Barrio: Jose's Neighborhood

Author: Gorge Ancona

1998

The San Francisco Mission District, known as the Barrio, retains the culture of it's Mexican immigrant population and is expressed through Jose's eight-year-old's eyes.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Author: Robert Casilla

2003

Senor Galavera has come to take Grandma Beetle to her after life. After he helps her count while she makes birthday part preparations he decides it is time to leave.

Magic Windows

Author: Carmen Lomas Garza

1999

Garza portrays the Mexican customs of her family through cut-out paper art work.

Martina the Beatiful Cockroach: A cuban folktale

Author: Carmen Agra Deedy Ilustrator: Michael Austin

2007

Martina must choose a husband and with the help of her cuban grandmother Martina carefully screens many suitors.

The Bossy Gallito

Author: Lucia M. Gonazlez Illustrator: Lulu Delacre

1994

On his way to his uncle's wedding, Rooster gets himself dirty. Eager to get to the wedding on time, Rooster's bossy nature comes out as he gives out orders to get himself cleaned up in time.

Chato's Ktichen

Author: Gary Soto Illustrator: Susan Guevara

1995

Chato has a sneaky plan to welcome the new mice that just moved in. As he spends the afternoon whipping up dishes to go along with his intended dinner he doesn't expect the real surprise that awaits him when the mice arrive.

The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico

Author: Nina Jaffe Illustrator: Enrique O. Sanchez

1996

The golden fruit that gave birth to the island of Purto Rico.

Gathering the Sun

Author: Alma Flor Ada Illustrator: Simon Silva

1997

Read along as Xochitl tells about the beauty surrounding farmworkers while learning the Spaish alphabet.

Chato and the Party Animals

Author: Gary Soto Illustratior: Susan Guevara

2000

Chato decides to throw a birthday party for his best friend, Novio Boy, who has never had one. Chato invites all his friends to the party except one, Novio Boy.

Snapshots from the Wedding

Author: Gary Soto Illustrator: Stephanie Garcia

1997

Maya is a flower girl at a wedding. Read along as she shows you what happens at a wedding.

Baseball in April and other stories

Author: Gary Soto

1990

A collection of eleven short stories following the lives of Latino teenager in Fresno,California each having their own problem to face.

The Surrender Tree

Author- Margarita Engle

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

2008

Rosa is a young cuban girl thats fights for freedom alongside with her fellow cubans.

The Storyteller's Candle

author-Lucia Gonzalez

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

2008

The story is able to convey the love and pride of immigrants as they come to a new life and setting and how they struggle with missing their home land and living in a new environment.

Just in Case

Author-Yuyi Morales

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

2008

Senior Calavera is on his way to his grandma's birthday party. a ghost tells him that he forgot something and so he returns home to retrieve what he has forgotten.

Papa and Me

Author-Arthur Dorros

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

2008

Papa and Me is a story of a young boy and his father who seem to complete each other in a way that incorporates america and latino language and culture.

Pablo Remembers the Fiesta of the Day of the Dead

Author: George Ancona

1993

Pablo and his family prepare for a three day rememberance of ancestors but most af all their abuelita (grandmother).

Cuardos de Familia

Author: Carmen Lomas Garza

1990

A little girl named Carmen writes a caption for each picture she drew. In reality these were true events that happend to her which inspired her to draw them out.

The Tequila Worm

Author: Viola Canales

2005

Sofia gets accepted to a boarding scool but her traditions are always with her. Sofia will learn how to incorporate tradition with life.

Iguanas in the Snow

Author: Francisco Alarcon

2001

Different seasons, different tunes. A boy named Francisco tells a poetic story about his adventure through the city of San francisco to the treetops of the Sierra Nevada.

En Mi Familia

Author: Carmen Lomas Garza

2000

In Kingsville Texas, The aurthor brings the readers to her hometown to talk about her wonderful memories she had in her community.

Esperanza Rising

Author : Pam Munoz Ryan

2002

On a ranch in Mexico, Esperanza, a young rich girl who had little respect for the help loses her wealth and learns to accept the less fortunate.

What Can You Do with a Rebozo?

Author : Carmen Tofolla Illustrator:Amy Cordova

2008

A young girl and her family describe all the things you can with a rebozo in their daily life.

Mama And Papa Have a Store

Author: Amelia Lau Carling

1988

In Guatemala City, a young girl describes a day in her mother's and father's Chinese store.

Spirits of the High Mesa

Author: Floyd Martinez

1997

Growing up in a small town in New Mexico in the 1930s, Flavio is caught between new technology and old traditions held by his strong grandfather.

Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day Celebramos El dia de los ninos/ El diade los libros

Author: Pat Mora Illustration: Raphael Lopez

2009

An author writes a book emphasizing all the fun ways and things you can read to celebrate children's day/book day.

Frida Viva la vida! Long Live Life

Author: Carmen T. Bernier Grand

2007

Biographical poems on Frida Kahlo, a native Mexican artist in the early 1900's, show how her art depicted a life of struggles from crippling accidents and a turbulent marriage.

Diego Bigger Than Life

Author: Carmen T. Bernier Grand

2009

In the early 1900s, Diego Rivera fights through a tumultuous life of relationships, Mexican communist involvement, and art.

From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems

Author: Francisco X. Alarcon Illustration: Maya Christina Gonzalez

1998

Memories of a beautiful summer in Mexico are celebrated through lively poems.

My Diary from Here to There

Author: Amada Irma Perez Illustration: Maya Christina Gonzalez

2002

A young girl journals her feelings when her family decides to leave Mexico in hopes of a better future in California.

Breaking Through

Author: Francisco Jimenez

2007

Francisco remains hopeful when he faces prejudice as a Mexican migrant worker and student in the late 1940s.

Gracias - Thanks

Author: Pat Mora Illustration: John Parra

2009

A young boy gives thanks to the simple things in life that make him happy.

Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba

Author: Alma Flor Ada

1998

A woman recalls her experiences growing up in post-war Cuba.

Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida

Author: Victor Martinez

1998

Manny Hernandez deals with family issues and peer pressure in a coming-of-age story.

My Abuelita

Author: Tony Jonston

2009

A young boy uses both English and Spanish to describe his daily adventures with his grandmother.

An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio

Author: Judith Ortiz Cofer

1995

A collection of twelve stories concerning everyday life in the Puerto Rican barrio.

Return To Sender

Author:Julia Alvarez

2009

Immigration laws threaten the friendship created between a family of dairy farmers and the families of their migrant workers.

The Poet Slave of Cuba

Author: Margarita Engle

2006

A Cuban slave's love for literature gives him the strength to perservere in an 18th century society that has granted him no human rights.

Becoming Naomi Leon

Author: Pam Munoz Ryan

2004

Raised by her great grandmother in a trailer park in America, Naomi must overcome her fears and shyness when she sets out to find her long lost father in Mexico.

Harvesting Hope

Author:Kathleen Krull

Illustrator: Yuyi Morales

2003

Upon arriving in California to be disappointed with working conditions, Cesar Chavez leads migrant workers in a peaceful revolution.

Actual Criteria Observed

What we found in our book selections were that the award winners and honor books followed the criteria it lists on the website: portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. There were a few subtle differences. Most of our selected readings had both English and Spanish translations. The layout varied, but somewhere on each spread, the text was written in both languages. Another commonality between our selections was the color pallet chosen buy the illustrators of these books. The Pot that Juan Built, Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! Janitor Strike, Juan Bobo Goes to Work, My Name is Celia/ Me Llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz , and Just a Minute : A Trickster Tale and Counting Book all use rich southwestern tones. The mixture of saturated oranges, cool blues, and earth tones dominate the pages leading us to believe that the selection committee favors this pallet. This is first seen with the covers above, the colors catch your eye and remind you of the Hispanic/ Latino culture. The last thing we noticed was that several of the books were about real people. Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! Janitor Strike, My Name is/ Me Llamo Gabito, My Name is Celia/ Me Llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz , and Magic Windows all follow the lives of people, past and present with a strong tie to family values. All of the extra criteria favored by the selection committee add to the awards richness in celebrating the Latino culture.

Priscilla Stigler and Terrence Holloway spring 09

We found that the award is given to literature that excels in portraying, affirming, and celebrating the Latino cultural experiences just as it was mention on the award home page. We noticed some extra things that the awarded books did. In most of the stories Spanish and English was used. Some of the stories like Snapshots from the Wedding and Baseball in April used spanish glossaries either at the start or end of the book. These were used as references so when the Spanish words were used in the story the reader simply had to turn to the glossary to find its meaning. Other stories would use Spanish words and have the english translation right next to it.

Just like the criteria said all of the books portrayed some type of Latino culture. Even in Chato and the Party Animals the characters of the story seem associate as if they were Latin people. This was clearly noted by the way they dressed, talked and partied. In the story Snapshots from the Wedding the way of a traditional Latino wedding was portrayed which also celebrated Latino culture. Also it seems that a majority of the stories took place in Central America with the exception of Baseball in April, which took place in Fresno, California.

The illustrations of these award winning books seem to follow the same criteria for the text. All of the illustrations also tended to affirm, portay, and celebrate the Laino culture. Most notably is Snapshots from the Wedding because it used a medium which is used a lot by Latino artist. It used traditional sculpy clay, acrlic paint, wood and fabric. The illustrations alone are able to tell the same story while still being able to celebrate the Latino culure and is most likely why it won the medal.

Stephanie Bonham, Rebekah Campa and Eileene Kim-Fall 2009

The books that we have added are very unique in that they all incorporate a very strong latino culture. There is a lot of spanish language that is added. The books explain the new vocabulary terms, which gives a great lesson as well as a good read. A very common theme between all of these books is the love and continuous grasp to their beliefs and culture; even though the characters go through changes. For example; in the Surrender tree, Rosa is continuously fleeing and trying to help others in their struggle for freedom.

These books also have some differences between cultures but are all tied into one. For Example in Tequila Worm Sofia talks about el dia de los muertos < the day of the dead> but as she explains its seems as though her culture or family didn't take the day as passionate as in the book Pablo Remembers. Pablo talks about how that is the time to spend with family and remember special relatives and ancestors who are dead. So although cultures may have the same traditions some cultures or families are more passionate about one tradition than another. Another way these books are unique is that some of these picture books are written in both english and spanish. Which gives us a taste of the spanish speaking culture.

The selected books that we chose showed similarities that qualify for the Belpre prize. In comparison of the twelve books, each focused on the history and the influence on American Culture. For example, In Espernaza Rising, when the family arrived in the united states, they began to realize the rules, the regulation and the challenges to keep a job. This story reflects on today's society. The Pura Belpre prize also brings to attention the mixed culture in a different environment. In Mama and Papa Have a Store, A Chinese family is influenced by Mexican Culture. In this picture book, although the theme is culturally integrated, this time two different ethnicity are involved: Chinese and Mexicans. On that note, these books became award winning because it develops an understanding of how different ethnicities have the same foundation in life.

In addition to meeting the criteria specified for the Belpre award, we found that the committee favors books that celebrate family. Spirits of the High Mesa is about a family that must learn to grow together and find a balance between the culture of their elders and the modern technology that is quickly developing. In Under the Royal Palms, Alma’s grandmother is the matriarchal center of the family and a powerful figure in her life. In Becoming Naomi Leon, two children travel with their great-grandmother to Mexico in search of a father that they don’t remember. Upon finding her father, Naomi is finally able to piece together her identity as a part of the Leon family.

The committee also chose several “rags to riches” stories. Many of our books were biographies about Latinos who came from humble beginnings and went on to do great things. For example, in Breaking Through, Francisco started off as a young migrant worker and became a successful college graduate. The books Diego Bigger Than Life and Frida are both about artists that rise from poverty to positions of affluence in the Latin community.

Another pattern that we found in more recent Belpre literature was the author’s ability to work outside of prose. Specifically, several of the books make use of poetry. The Poet Slave of Cuba is a biography about a slave that loves literature and has a fascinating ability to memorize speeches, plays, and poetry. The author made the brilliant decision to tell the slave’s story in poetry. Diego Bigger Than Life and Frida are also biographies written using poetry. In The Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems, the author made the decision to use poems to describe the nature and beauty of a summer in Mexico.