Belpré Medal;

The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a 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. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA), an ALA affiliate.

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. As a children's librarian, storyteller, and author, she enriched the lives of Puerto Rican children in the U.S.A. through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.

It has been given every other year since 1996. Beginning with the 2009 award, it will be given annually.

The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos
by Lucía González, illustrated by Lulu Delacre
Children's Book Press, 2008

Thanks to the generosity of author Lucía González, proceeds from the sale of The Storyteller's Candle benefit ALSC's Pura Belpré Award Endowment! The first 100 people to order the book from Children's Book Press also receive a free poster. Click here for more information about the book.

This inspiring DVD, created by Scholastic and Weston Woods in association with ALSC and REFORMA: The Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking in honor of the award's 10th anniversary, highlights the significance of the award to readers, authors, illustrators, librarians, and educators through interviews with the founders and winners of the award. The entire DVD can be played in either English or Spanish and also has the option of playing with English or Spanish subtitles.

The DVD is available for purchase from ALSC while supplies last for $15 per copy, including shipping and handling. Sales benefit the Belpré Award Endowment Fund. There are four ways to order: call 312-280-2163 or 800-545-2433, ext. 2163; fax an order form to 312-280-5271; e-mail your order to alsc@ala.org; or mail an order form and payment to ALSC, 50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.

Librarians seeking great books for children and young people, while serving the growing needs of a young Hispanic population, will find the best among these award-winners.

Belpré Medal;

About the Pura Belpré Award