(r30) BelpreAward < CAL/English/Sanders

-- CSUSB.joess - 8 June 2009
---+ <strong><img alt="belpre_medal.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/belpre_medal.jpg" />Pura Belpre Award</strong>
---+ _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/belpremedal/index.cfm][http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremeda/index.cfm]]
---+ <font face="Arial,Helvetica" color="#cc3300">(Pura) Belpré Award<br /></font>
 <font face="Arial,Helvetica" color="#cc3300">Terms and Criteria</font> 
   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.
   1 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.
   1 The committee in its deliberations is to consider only the books eligible for the award, as specified in the terms.
   1 Fiction and nonfiction books for children published in Spanish, English, or bilingual format are eligible.
   1 Honor books may be named.
   1 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 .
   1 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.
   1 The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.
   1 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.
   1 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.
   1 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.
   1 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.
   1 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.
   1 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

<img alt="DF.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/DF.jpg" />

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

<img alt="Juan.gif" src="%ATTACHURL%/Juan.gif" />

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

<img alt="sise.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/sise.jpg" style="width: 191px; height: 191px" />

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

<img alt="alclghn_00030013-0001-thumb5.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/alclghn_00030013-0001-thumb5.jpg" />

1998

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

<img alt="7-alvarez.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/7-alvarez.jpg" />

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

<img alt="my_name_is_gabito_08.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/my_name_is_gabito_08.jpg" />

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

<img alt="gatos_black_08.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/gatos_black_08.jpg" />

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

<img alt="842.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/842.jpg" />

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

<img alt="51RZvHbbDzL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/51RZvHbbDzL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" />

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

<img alt="517784258WL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/517784258WL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" />

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

<img alt="arrorrominino2b.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/arrorrominino2b.jpg" style="width: 285px; height: 258px" />

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

<img alt="0061136816.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/0061136816.jpg" style="width: 205px; height: 242px" />

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

<img alt="51e0Em6NDfL._SL500_.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/51e0Em6NDfL._SL500_.jpg" style="width: 204px; height: 255px" />

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

<img alt="barrio.bmp" src="%ATTACHURL%/barrio.bmp" style="width: 200px; height: 183px" />

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

<img alt="0811837580_large.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/0811837580_large.jpg" style="width: 205px; height: 251px" />

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

<img alt="61FB4HQ193L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/61FB4HQ193L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" />

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

<img width="300" alt="A cuban folktale" src="http://www.ilovelibraries.org/news/topstories/martinabeautifulcockroach.jpg" title="Carmen Agra Deedy" height="260" />

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

<img width="230" alt="bossy" src="http://www2.scholastic.com/content/media/products/7x/043906757x_xlg.jpg" title="gonzalez" height="252" />

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

<img width="250" alt="chato" src="http://estabrook.ci.lexington.ma.us/Library/Dec/Chato.jpg" title="soto" height="313" />

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<strong> Illustrator:</strong> Enrique O. Sanchez

<img width="240" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51C68Z66HBL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" title="flower" height="240" />

1996

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

Gathering the Sun

<strong>Author: </strong>Alma Flor Ada <strong>Illustrator: </strong>Simon Silva

<img alt="gathering-the-sun.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/gathering-the-sun.jpg" />

1997

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

Chato and the Party Animals

*Author:* Gary Soto <strong>Illustratior: </strong>Susan Guevara

<img width="200" alt="chato_and_the_party_animals.jpg" src="http://www.coe.uga.edu/gcba/images/chato.jpg" height="248" />

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

<strong>Author: </strong>Gary Soto <strong>Illustrator: </strong>Stephanie Garcia

<img width="316" alt="snapshots_from_the_wedding.jpg" src="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h1/h7927.jpg" style="width: 231px; height: 308px" height="396" />

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

<strong>Author: </strong>Gary Soto

<img width="250" alt="basebaLL_IN_APRIL.jpg" src="http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/468/30568468.jpg" height="250" />

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__

<strong>Author</strong>- Margarita Engle

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

<img width="89" alt="" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:uv_-s5QdzRQcRM:http://media.us.macmillan.com/jackets/500H/9780805086744.jpg" style="width: 156px; height: 174px" height="130" />

2008

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

__The Storyteller's Candle__

<strong>author</strong>-Lucia Gonzalez

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

<img width="115" alt="" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:_yHlB540SkDPUM:http://wmars.cwmars.org:90/screens/images/jkt_StorytellersCandle.jpg" style="width: 152px; height: 122px" height="127" />

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__

<strong>Author</strong>-Yuyi Morales

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

<img width="83" alt="" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ISbwQ_JkM_4R_M:http://img.flipkart.com/bk_imgs/298/9781596433298.jpg" style="width: 126px; height: 135px" height="102" />

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__

<strong>Author</strong>-Arthur Dorros

Added By: Stephanie Bonham

<img width="112" alt="" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:nsZ04-DAGeUSAM:http://www.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/5/9780060581565.jpg" style="width: 129px; height: 157px" height="137" />

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

<img width="168" alt="" src="http://z.about.com/d/childrensbooks/1/G/Z/9/pablo_remembers.jpg" height="137" />

1993

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

__Cuardos de Familia__

<strong>Author: </strong>Carmen Lomas Garza

<img width="185" alt="" src="http://www.americas-stirfry.net/productcart/pc/catalog/familypicturesha_1122_general.jpg" height="158" />

1996

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__

<strong>Author: </strong>Viola Canales

<img width="120" alt="" src="http://content-8.powells.com/cgi-bin/imageDB.cgi?isbn=9780385746748" height="181" />

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

<img width="143" alt="" src="http://images.efollett.com/books/089/239/0892392029.gif" height="187" />

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__

<strong><em>Author: </em></strong>Carmen Lomas Garza

<img alt="" src="http://www.education.txstate.edu/departments/Tomas-Rivera-Book-Award-Project-Link/Winners/1996-winner/contentParagraph/00/image/1996_book.jpg" />

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

<img width="181" alt="" src="http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/crc/webquest/Esperanza/IMAGES/COVER.JPG" style="width: 181px; height: 292px" height="344" />

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 <strong>Illustrator:</strong>Amy Cordova

<img width="198" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A9rT20RVL.jpg" style="width: 198px; height: 264px" height="340" />

2008

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

__Mama And Papa Have a Store__

<strong>Author: </strong>Amelia Lau Carling

<img alt="" src="http://content.hclib.org/perl/syndetics/syndetics.pl?isbn=0803720440/MC.GIF&client=hennp" />

1988

In Guatemala City, a young girl explains what a day is like in her mother's and father's Chinese store.

_Spirits of the High Mesa_

<strong>Author: </strong>Floyd Martinez

<img width="125" alt="spiritsofthehighmesa.jpg" src="https://wiki.csusb.edu/pub/CAL/English/Sanders/BelpreAward/spiritsofthehighmesa.jpg" style="width: 204px; height: 213px" title="Spirits" height="196" />

1997

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

_Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day Celebramos El dia de los ninos/ El diade los libros_

<strong>Author: </strong>Pat Mora<strong> Illustration: </strong>Raphael Lopez

<img width="319" alt="book_fiesta.jpg" src="https://wiki.csusb.edu/pub/CAL/English/Sanders/BelpreAward/book_fiesta.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 228px" title="book fiesta" height="320" />

2009

Author writes a book emphasizing on all the fun ways, things and places you can read to celebrate children's day/ book day.

_Frida !Viva la vida! Long Live Life_

*Author:* Carmen T. Bernier Grand

<img width="260" alt="frieda.jpg" src="https://wiki.csusb.edu/pub/CAL/English/Sanders/BelpreAward/frida.jpg" style="width: 228px; height: 233px" title="Frida" height="320" />

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_

<strong>Author: </strong>Carmen T. Bernier Grand

<img width="320" alt="diego.jpg" src="https://wiki.csusb.edu/pub/CAL/English/Sanders/BelpreAward/diego.jpg" style="width: 233px; height: 259px" title="Diego" height="491" />

2009

A biography written in poems and verses on Mexican Diego Rivera in early 1900's and his tumultuous life from relationships, to communist involvement and famous art works.

_From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems_

<strong>Author: </strong>Francisco X. Alarcon <strong>Illustration: </strong>Maya Christina Gonzalez

<img width="400" alt="bellybutton.jpg" src="https://wiki.csusb.edu/pub/CAL/English/Sanders/BelpreAward/bellybutton.jpg" style="width: 265px; height: 227px" title="bellybutton" height="544" />

1998<br /><br />Memories of a beautiful summer in Mexico are celebrated through lively poems.

_My Diary from Here to There_

<strong>Author: </strong>Amada Irma Perez<strong> Illustration:</strong> Maya Christina Gonzalez

<img width="270" alt="my_diary.jpg" src="%ATTACHURL%/my_diary.jpg" style="width: 245px; height: 217px" height="320" />

2002<br /><br />A young girl describes her feelings when her family decides to leave Mexico in hopes of a better future in California.

_Breaking Through_

<strong>Author: </strong>Francisco Jimenez

<img width="316" alt="breaking through" src="%ATTACHURL%/breakingthrough.jpg" style="width: 209px; height: 266px" height="441" /><br />2007<br /><br />In the late 1940's, Francisco immigrates from Mexico to California and remains hopeful as he faces prejudice while working, going to school, and trying to make friends.

_Gracias - Thanks_

<strong>Author: </strong>Pat Mora <strong>Illustration: </strong>John Parra

<br /><img width="350" alt="Gracias thanks" src="%ATTACHURL%/Gracias.jpg" style="width: 257px; height: 330px" height="441" />

2009<br /><br />A young boy gives thanks to the simplest things in life that make him happy.

_Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba_

<strong>Author: </strong>Alma Flor Ada

<img width="182" alt="Under Royal Palms" src="%ATTACHURL%/palms.jpg" height="250" />

1998

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

_Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida_

*Author:* Victor Martinez

<img width="311" alt="Parrot" src="%ATTACHURL%/parrot.jpg" style="width: 212px; height: 249px" height="500" />

1998

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

_My Abuelita_

*Author:* Tony Jonston

<img width="312" alt="My Abuelita" src="%ATTACHURL%/abuelita.jpg" style="width: 237px; height: 247px" height="400" />

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

<img width="420" alt="Island" src="%ATTACHURL%/island.jpg" style="width: 226px; height: 223px" height="600" />

1995

Twelve stories of everyday life in the Puerto Rican barrio
---+ Actual Criteria Observed
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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 <em>Magic Windows </em>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 &lt; the day of the dead&gt; but as she explains its seems as though her culture or family didn't take the day as passionate as in the book<em> Pablo Remembers. </em>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 <em>Mama and Papa Have a Store, </em>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.

<font face="Times New Roman" size="3">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&rsquo;s grandmother is the matriarchal center of the family and a powerful figure in her life. In <em>Becoming Naomi Leon, </em>two children travel with their great-grandmother to Mexico in search of a father that they don&rsquo;t remember. Upon finding her father, Naomi is finally able to piece together her identity as a part of the Leon family. </font>

<font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The committee also chose several &ldquo;rags to riches&rdquo; 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 <em>Frida </em>are both about artists that rise from poverty to positions of affluence in the Latin community. </font></font>

<font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Another pattern that we found in more recent Belpre literature was the author&rsquo;s ability to work outside of prose. Specifically, several of the books make use of poetry. <em>The Poet Slave of Cuba </em>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&rsquo;s story in poetry. </font><em>Diego Bigger Than Life </em>and <em>Frida </em>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.
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Topic revision: r30 - 2010-03-24 - filipf
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