Award Winners/Best of...

Cousins Hildamar and Santiago struggle during their first winter in New York City. But when a remarkable librarian named Pura Belpré visits their school, the children learn that the public library is a welcome space for anybody who speaks Spanish! Soon, library storytimes become an important part in New York’s hispanic community. This book was a 2009 Pura Belpré Award Honor Book. Recommended for ages 4–8.

Vivid language and bright colors celebrate Pura Belpré’s life in this picture book biography. Belpré’s work as a librarian, puppeteer, and storyteller are all described to show how one librarian can bring meaningful representation to a community. A detailed bibliography is featured in the back to encourage further reading. Recommended for ages 4–8.

Belpré herself wrote this retelling of a classic folk tale from Puerto Rico. Otè is a poor man who must search the forest for food to feed his family. In the forest, he stumbles across the devil and tries to steal his food. When he’s caught, Otè must carry the devil on his back to his home, where the devil eats all the family’s food. Will Otè be able to rid his house of the devil before starving? Illustrated by Paul Galdone. Recommended for ages 4–8.

By the time Teresa Carreño was six years old, her family fled a revolution in Venezuela and emigrated to New York City. By the time she was eight years old, she was a piano prodigy, composing her own music and even playing for the president of the United States–Abraham Lincoln! In this picture book biography, Rafael López’s exquisite art contrasts the struggle of two countries at war and the grief of a mourning father with the colorful beauty Teresa’s music plays, bringing comfort to the heartbroken. 2020 award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.