The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina author and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth. It was established in 1996. It was given every other year since 1996 until 2009 when it was changed to be given annually. The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library. As a children's librarian, storyteller, and author, she enriched the lives of Latino children through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore. The award is given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.
Criteria
Two medals shall be awarded at the annual conference of the AmericanLibrary Association, one to a Latino author and one to a Latino illustrator, for creating outstanding original children's books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
For purposed of this award, Latino is defined as people whose heritage emanates from any of the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Western Hemisphere.
The committee is not to consider the entire body of work by an author or whether the author has previously won the award.
Recipients of the Pura Belpré Medal must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico.
Fiction and nonfiction books for children published in Spanish, English, or bilingual format are eligible.
Honor books may be named.
If suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year.
One person may be selected to receive the awards in both categories.
Recipients
Recipients of Multiple Medals and Honors
, Yuyi Morales, and Duncan Tonatiuh have received medals or honors for their roles as both author and illustrator. Duncan Tonatiuh is the only person to receive multiple awards in one year for two different works.
Belpré Medals
One person has won six Belpré Medals.
Yuyi Morales, as illustrator 2004, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2019.
Several authors have received both a Belpré Medal and a Belpré Honor: Raúl Colón, David Diaz, Margarita Engle, Carmen Lomas Garza, Susan Guevara, Rafael López, Meg Medina, Yuyi Morales, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Duncan Tonatiuh.
Works with Multiple Awards
Diego: Bigger than Life was the subject of two honors for author and illustrator in 2010.
The Storyteller's Candle was the subject of two honors for author and illustrator in 2009.
Just In Case was the subject of a medal for illustrator and an honor for author in 2009.
Los Gatos Black on Halloween was the subject of a medal for illustrator and an honor for author in 2008
Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart was the subject of a medal for illustrator and an honor for author in 2006.
César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! was the subject of two honors for author and illustrator in 2006.
'El Gallo de Bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale was the subject of two honors for author and illustrator in 1996.
