Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpre Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories

A lyrical, vibrant picture book tribute to the amazing life and legacy of Pura Belpre, a lauded storyteller, librarian, and pioneer of bilingual storytimes Pura’s abuela always has a cuento to share. She crows !Qui-qui-ri-qui! for Senor Gallo, booms Borom, Borom for Senor Zapo, and tells of a beautiful cockroach who loves a mouse. Pura clings to these stories like coquies 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 Senor Gallo? Where is Perez 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 Belpre: 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 Belpre’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)