A lyrical, vibrant picture book tribute to the amazing life and legacy of Pura Belpr, a lauded storyteller, librarian, and pioneer of bilingual storytimes Pura's abuela always has a cuento to share. She crows Qui-qui-ri-qu! for Seor Gallo, booms Borom, Borom for Seor Zapo, and tells of a beautiful cockroach who loves a mouse. Pura clings to these stories like coques cling to green leaves. When Pura grows up and moves from Puerto Rico to Harlem, she gets a job at the library, where she is surrounded by stories--but they're only in English. Where is Seor Gallo? Where is Prez the mouse? Where is Puerto Rico on these shelves? She decides to tell children the tales of her homeland in English and in Spanish. Lyrically written by Annette Bay Pimentel with lively illustrations from award-winning artist Magaly Morales, Pura's Cuentos captures the exuberant spirit and passion of Pura Belpr celebrated storyteller, author, folklorist, and the first Latina librarian in New York City. A pioneer of bilingual storytimes, she welcomed countless new families to the library, formed cultural bridges in her community, and broke the rules by telling stories that weren't printed in books--at least, not yet. "Morales' vivid artwork in warm, saturated colors wittily captures the movement, rhythm, and energy of Belpr's legacy, which is echoed in the lyrical text. Emphasizing the importance of books as mirrors, as well as inclusion, diversity, proactiveness, talent, and social impact, this is a treasure of a picture-book biography." --Booklist (starred review)
A lyrical, vibrant picture book tribute to the amazing life and legacy of Pura Belpr, a lauded storyteller, librarian, and pioneer of bilingual storytimes Pura's abuela always has a cuento to share. She crows Qui-qui-ri-qu! for Seor Gallo, booms Borom, Borom for Seor Zapo, and tells of a beautiful cockroach who loves a mouse. Pura clings to these stories like coques cling to green leaves. When Pura grows up and moves from Puerto Rico to Harlem, she gets a job at the library, where she is surrounded by stories--but they're only in English. Where is Seor Gallo? Where is Prez the mouse? Where is Puerto Rico on these shelves? She decides to tell children the tales of her homeland in English and in Spanish. Lyrically written by Annette Bay Pimentel with lively illustrations from award-winning artist Magaly Morales, Pura's Cuentos captures the exuberant spirit and passion of Pura Belpr celebrated storyteller, author, folklorist, and the first Latina librarian in New York City. A pioneer of bilingual storytimes, she welcomed countless new families to the library, formed cultural bridges in her community, and broke the rules by telling stories that weren't printed in books--at least, not yet. "Morales' vivid artwork in warm, saturated colors wittily captures the movement, rhythm, and energy of Belpr's legacy, which is echoed in the lyrical text. Emphasizing the importance of books as mirrors, as well as inclusion, diversity, proactiveness, talent, and social impact, this is a treasure of a picture-book biography." --Booklist (starred review)
