-- 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

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

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 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.

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.