Celebrating Trailblazing Latinx Librarians
Friday marks the first day of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 (September 15–October 15). This year’s theme is "Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America." For this newsletter, I have chosen books about librarians whose work has enriched the lives of young children by connecting them to stories and books that affirm their Latinx cultural heritage -- the very roots of “prosperity, power, and progress.”
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise; Illustrated by Paola Escobar
2020 Pura Belpré Honor for Narration
This beautifully illustrated book chronicles the life and times of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in the New York Public Library. Through Denise’s rhythmic text with peppered Spanish words, readers learn about Belpré’s work as a children’s librarian, bringing stories from Puerto Rico to the children of New York City, at a time when there were no Spanish language books in the library. A talented storyteller, and puppeteer, Belpré traveled throughout the city sharing stories with children and adults. Escobar’s rich, vibrant illustrations capture the spirit of the seeds Belpré planted within communities across New York City. A closing note explains how the American Library Association honors Belpré’s work presenting an annual award in her name to a Latinx writer and illustrator whose works celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
This bilingual Pura Belpré Mini Documentary details her lasting impact on the communities she served.
Waiting for the Biblioburro
Written by Monica Brown; Illustrated by John Parra
Inspired by the true story of Colombian librarian Luis Soriano Bohórquez, this book tells the story of Ana, a little girl living in a rural community, who only has one book. Ana is a passionate, imaginative reader who create fantastical bedtime stories for her younger brother but yearns for more books to read. Her wishes come true when a traveling librarian and his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto, arrive in her village with books and stories to share. Three-time Pura Belpré Honoree, John Parra’s folk-style illustrations capture the simplicity and beauty of rural life.
Here are two short videos highlighting the work of Luis Soriano Bohórquez: Biblioburro- The donkey library (en español with subtitles) Biblioburro: el sueno del professor Luis Soriano Bohórquez (en español without subtitles)
Beyond the Books
The stories of our childhood, narratives shared with us by our elders, shape our early experiences and are often some of our fondest memories. All too often, however, these stories get lost. Families can capture these stories in many ways. Record elders as they share the stories of their childhoods with our little ones. Better yet, write them down and have little ones illustrate them. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect the generations, to preserve family histories, and to encourage imagination and creativity.