The Storyteller's Candle / La Velita de Los Cuentos

Pura Belpré Author Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA)
Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA)

Bilingual English/Spanish. A bilingual biography of Pura Belpré, New York City's first Latina librarian.

The winter of 1929 feels especially cold to cousins Hildamar and Santiago--they arrived in New York City from sunny Puerto Rico only months before. Their island home feels very far away indeed, especially with Three Kings' Day rapidly approaching. But then a magical thing happened. A visitor appears in their class, a gifted storyteller and librarian by the name of Pura Belpré. She opens the children's eyes to the public library and its potential to be the living, breathing heart of the community. The library, after all, belongs to everyone--whether you speak Spanish, English, or both.

The award-winning team of Lucía González and Lulu Delacre have crafted an homage to Pura Belpré, New York City's first Latina librarian. Through her vision and dedication, the warmth of Puerto Rico came to the island of Manhattan in a most unexpected way.

Author: Lucia Gonzalez
Publisher: Children's Book Press (CA)
Published: 04/01/2013
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.35lbs
Size: 9.40h x 10.80w x 0.20d
ISBN13: 9780892392377
ISBN10: 0892392371
Language: Spanish
BISAC Categories:
- Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States | 20th Century
- Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration, Immigration & Refugees
- Juvenile Fiction | Hispanic & Latino

About the Author

Lulu Delacre, three-time Pura Belpré Award honoree and winner of an Orbis Pictus Honor, is the illustrator of numerous award-winning books, several of which she also wrote or compiled. Her books include fiction and nonfiction and range from picture books to young adult titles. Delacre was born and grew up in Puerto Rico, where she loved to draw pictures, enjoy nature, and partake of the culture and traditions of her native island. Her experiences there are the inspiration for many of her works. Delacre and her husband live in Washington, DC. Learn more at luludelacre.com.