Pura Belpre Award and Medal Books

Ancona, George. (2010). Ole! Flamenco! New York: Lee & Low, Inc.

            Ancona’s book “Ole! Flamenco!” is an informative book about the history and origins of flamenco dancing. It provides a very clear compare and contrast of how flamenco was before and how it is now. Ancona also includes many illustrations of flamenco in history and colorful photographs of flamenco dancing now. He includes a glossary of Spanish terms used in flamenco dancing at the end of the book as well as a section citing his sources used.

Deedy, Carmen Agra. (2007). Martina the Beautiful Cockroach. Georgia: Peachtree
            Publishers.

            This Cuban folktale is charmingly retold by author Carmen Agra Deedy. A beautiful cockroach, Martina, is ready to be wed and is in the pursuit of a husband. Her Cuban grandmother suggests she do “The Coffee Test” to all her suitors. Doing so would create a process of elimination when she would see how they would react towards her after she spilled the hot coffee at their feet. The story is a cute rendition of wisdom and tradition.

Perez, L. King. (2002). First Day in Grapes. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

            The main character, Chico Padilla, is a third grader that arrives at a new school after his migrant family moves to California to harvest grapes. He overcomes the school bullies on his first day there by using his superb math skills and self-confidence (brought on by his mother) to show them who is the greater opponent. His actions earn him the respect of his teacher and his peers and therefore makes it for a great first day of school.

Mora, Pat. (2009). Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s/Book Day. New York:
            HarperCollins Children’s Books.

            Pat Mora wrote this very colorful bilingual book to celebrate Children’s Day which is typically celebrated in Mexico on April 30 every year. He liked the idea so much that he decided it’d be even better to make it a Book Day as well to celebrate children and children’s literature. At the end of the book the author offers suggestions on how to make your own “Book Fiesta” for Children’s/Book Day which he hopes would, as he states, “grow a nation of readers”.

Mora, Pat. (2009). Gracias,Thanks. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

            In this bilingual book by Pat Mora we see a young boy who recounts his daily blessings throughout the day for which he is thankful for. This book is great as a lesson for children and adults alike that may sometimes need a small gentle reminder to be grateful for what we have. It would also be a great story to read during Thanksgiving to a class to remind students to be thankful for moments and memories, not just material things.  

Morales, Yuyi. (2013). Niño Wrestles the World. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

            Niño, a self-proclaimed Lucha Libre luchador, uses his wild imagination to wrestle his opponents such as an alien, mummy, ghost, and an ancient sculpture. He beats them in the funniest and most clever ways until he meets his toughest opponents, his baby sisters. The story is not fully bilingual but does contain some Spanish words and also includes a small history of “lucha libre” at the end of the story.  

Tafolla, Carmen. (2008). What Can You Do With a Rebozo? California: Tricycle
            Press.

            A young Mexican girl explains the many different things she and her family do with a rebozo, a long and wide shawl. The author includes a small history of “rebozos” and invites the reader to think of what they’d do with one. Author Carmen Tafolla has another similar book called “What Can You Do With a Paleta?” or a popsicle.        

Tonatiuh, Duncan. (2010). Dear Primo: A Letter to my Cousin. New York: Abrams
            Books for Young Readers.

            Letters are sent back and forth between cousins with one cousin living in Mexico and the other living in the United States. They compare and contrast their daily lives and traditions as children in their respective countries. You can definitely see the cultural differences within similar children’s activities. The author also uses Spanish words to emphasize what the cousin in Mexico is saying. Tonatiuh also includes a short glossary of Spanish words at the end of the book along with a note from himself briefly describing his childhood as a Mexican American.

Tonatiuh, Duncan. (2013). Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale. New
            York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

            This tale is about Pancho Rabbit and his family whose father left to the North to be a migrant worker along with some other family friends. When Pancho Rabbit’s father and friends do not arrive for their welcome back party, Pancho gets worried and takes off to find him. He reaches the North with the help of a sneaky and sly coyote but then trouble arises. This story demonstrates the hardships and dangers that some migrant workers face when crossing the border.

Tonatiuh, Duncan. (2014). Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and her Family’s Fight for Desegregation. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

 

            Based on true events, Tonatiuh wrote this book to describe the hardships that Sylvia Mendez suffered through as a child when faced with racism and segregation in the public education system. Due to her skin color and Mexican background Sylvia and her siblings were not allowed to enroll at the surrounding school and instead were sent to “the Mexican school”. Although she was not denied an education the school she was allowed to enroll at in the state of California was far inferior to the nearby school where White children could go. She describes the legal battles that her parents faced to fight for desegregation in public schools. The book also includes an author’s note with more details about the 1940s Mendez v. Westminster School District court case