Planting Stories [hc]
The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise & illustrated by Paola Escobar
When she came to America in 1921, Pura Belpré carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy as the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.
Brought to colorful life with fresh, exuberant, and elegant illustrations and lyrical text, this portrait of the influential librarian, author, and puppeteer reminds us of the power of storytelling and the extraordinary woman who opened doors and championed bilingual literature.
Includes an author’s note that gives context to Pura’s achievements, which forever influenced educators’ roles as teachers, storytellers, and active members of the community. There’s also a selected bibliography, further reading, and more. 40 pages
"An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian. This book... is a must-have for all libraries." -School Library Journal, Starred Review (Kindergarten-Grade 3)
January 15, 2019
AR Level=4.0; Lexile Level=860
