Pura Belpre’ Award

Brown, M. (2007). My name is Gabito: the life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (R. Colon, Illus.). New York. Rising Moon.

This story is based on an autobiography of Garcia Murquez’s life. It tells of his childhood with his grandfather and the life they led as fruit pickers. The text is written in both Spanish and English with words incorporated into the pictures.
Genre: Picture Book; Biography
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 4.6
Awards: Tejas Star Book Award Nominee 2009-2010

Deedy, C. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach: A Cuban folktale. (M. Austin, Illus.). New York.Peachtree Publishers.

This Cuban folktale describes how a grandmother cockroach helps her granddaughter find a suitable mate. She says that when you spill coffee on a potential mate’s foot, their reaction will tell the tale as to how they will be as a spouse. Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha spills coffee onto several prospects including a rooster, and a pig before finding her mate in a mouse who uses the coffee test on her. This story has a good sense of voice and will be enjoyed by young and old alike.
Genre: Picture Book; Folklore
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 3.1
Awards: Children’s Book of the Year 2008; ALA Notable Book 2008; Bluebonnet Nominated Book 2009

Gonzalez, M. (2007). My colors, my world mis colores, mi mundo. San Francisco. Children’s Book Press.

This is a wonderful bilingual story about a little girl who enjoys all of the colors that nature gives us. She sees the pink in the desert sunset, to the greens of a cactus, to the shiny black hair of her papi. This book has simple, vibrant colored pictures. The back of the book shares a little insight as to who the little girl in the story is, and a bilingual color glossary.
Genre: Picture Book
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2.0
Awards: Pura Belpre’ Honor Book

Montes, M. (2006). Los gatos black on Halloween. (Y. Morales, Illus.). New York. Henry Holt and Company.

This story is about los monstrous who come out on Halloween for a monstrous ball. They start to dance and get into the music when there are tres loud raps on the door. They become scared of what comes in and the go and hide. The text is mainly in English with main words in Spanish. It is a story written in rhyme. There is also a glossary in the back of the book with a pronunciation guide. The color pictures in the book have somewhat of a blurry, dark view to portray the “ghostly” look.
Genre: Picture Book
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 3.5
Awards: ALA Notable Book 2007; Pura Belpre Award 2008