Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré - Hardcover

FOLLOW LA VIDA Y EL LEGADO OF PURA BELPRÉ, THE FIRST PUERTO RICAN LIBRARIAN IN NEW YORK CITY

When she came to America in 1921, Pura carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy.

This portrait of the influential librarian, author, and puppeteer reminds us of the power of storytelling and the extraordinary woman who opened doors and championed bilingual literature.

Anika Aldamuy Denise, is the celebrated author of many picture books, including Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré; Starring Carmen!; Lights, Camera, Carmen!; and Monster Trucks. A tradition she began with her oldest daughter—of leaving short poems and love notes for each other to find—inspired her book The Love Letter. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband, three children, and a very lovey kitty named Charlie. Visit Anika online at www.anikadenise.com.

Paola Escobar, the illustrator of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, grew up traveling from town to town in Colombia. From a very young age she liked to draw the stories her grandmother Clara told about her ancestors, the countryside, and animals. Today, Paola is an illustrator who is passionate about telling stories of her own, having published with SM Spain, Planeta, Norma, and more. She lives very happily in Bogotá, Colombia, with her husband and their dog, Flora.