The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos (English and Spanish Edition) - Softcover

Lucia Gonzalez

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0892392371 ISBN 13: 9780892392377

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2013

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author:

LULU DELACRE is the illustrator of numerous award-winning books, several of which she also wrote or compiled. Her books range from picture books to chapter books to YA novels. Delacre has been creating books since 1980 and has produced more than thirty-five titles. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Delacre's Latino heritage informs many of her works. A three-time Pura Belpré Award honoree, she was also honored in 1998 as Maryland Woman in the Arts and was a jurorfor the 2003 National Book Awards. Delacre and her husband live in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Review:

"[T]his warmhearted Spanish/English bilingual story adopts the perspective of two children who are inspired by Belpre to enter a library for the very first time. . . . With this simple and affectionate story, Gonzalez and Delacre. . . broadcast Belpre's welcome message to new generations of immigrants: 'Remember, the library belongs to you all.'" -- Reviewer "Publishers Weekly"

"This is a warm, winning introduction to the work of the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York, whose name was given to the American Librarian Association's annual award that honors Latino authors and illustrators." -- Reviewer "Booklist"

"Sepia tones evoke the time period and the setting. A lovely offering about the role of librarians in the lives of children." -- Reviewer "School Library Journal"

About this edition

• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0892392371
• ISBN 13: 9780892392377
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Lulu Delacre