January is probably the most exciting month for us in the children’s department of the library. Not only do we celebrate the beginning of a new year, but it’s also the month where the majority of the book awards for children’s literature are announced. Most people know about the Newbery and Caldecott awards for children’s literature and illustration respectively, but fewer people know about the Pura Belpré award. This award celebrates outstanding children’s books from Latino and Latina writers and illustrators. At the library, I am so excited about the announcement of 2014 Pura Belpré award at the end of month, that I might charge you as you walk into the children’s section, waving a copy of Chato’s Kitchen – the book that won the first illustration medal in 1996.
Last year, there were two great books that won the honor. For 2013,
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe a novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz won the medal for narrative. In addition to the Pura Belpré, it won so many other awards, including a Lammy and a Printz honor. This book was phenomenal and I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 16 who is trying to discover themselves, figure out friendships and love or wanting to know how to tell the truth.
The book that won the award for illustrator David Diaz is Martín de Porres: the Rose in the Desert by Gary D. Schmidt. This biography tells the story of Martín de Porres, the first black saint in the Americas. If you look closely at the alcove near the circulation desk you can see a scene from the book. Check it out just to look at the pictures. It’s also a great biography to share as a bedtime story, because it’s a cool story than can be read in about ten minutes, though you will probably linger over the pictures.
Past years have also had great Pura Belpré medal and honor winning books, and many of these books are on display this month at the library. One of my favorites is Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match (Marisol McDonald no combina) by Monica Brown. This bilingual book is about a girl who doesn’t want to be the same as everybody else. Girls who like the Fancy Nancy books will love this book (and in my opinion, it’s ten times better, because Marisol just wants to be herself, and is not interested in being pretty). This would be a great bedtime story, and could be read in English or Spanish.
Another honor book that I think would appeal to boys is Maximilian: the Mystery of the Guardian Angel, a Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller by Xavier Garza. Max falls over the railing while his favorite wrestler, the Guardian Angel is wrestling. It turns out that Max is linked to his hero and his summer vacation gets turned into a wild ride! This book is great because the Spanish and English are side by side, meaning that you could read it entirely in English or entirely in Spanish or half and half.In addition to the Pura Belpré winners, Caldecott and Newbery winners will also be announced in January. Past winners are on display in the children’s section of the library. If you remember a medal winner from your youth, check it out and share it with your kids. When the 2014 winners are announced, I’ll have a lot more books on my reading list and you’ll have another reason to come to the library.
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