2023 Pura Belpré Celebración

Sunday, June 25, 2023

1:00-4:00 PM

 

Palmer House Hilton

Red Lacquer Room

 

17 East Monroe Street

Chicago, IL 60603

 

 

Pura Belpré Awards honoring Latinx writers and illustrators whose children's and young adult books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience: 

 

“Where Wonder Grows,” illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, is the 2023 Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award winner. The book was written by Xelena González and published by Cinco Puntos Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc.

 

Six Belpré Youth Illustration Honor Books were named: 

“The Coquíes Still Sing,” illustrated by Krystal Quiles, written by Karina Nicole González and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

 

“A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

 

“Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land,” illustrated and written by Mirelle Ortega and published by Cameron Kids, an imprint of Cameron + Company, a division of ABRAMS.

 

“Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,” illustrated by Loris Lora, written by Anika Aldamuy Denise and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

 

“Srta. Quinces,” illustrated and written by Kat Fajardo, translated by Scholastic Inc. and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

 

“Still Dreaming / Seguimos soñando,” illustrated by Magdalena Mora, written by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez, translated by Luis Humberto Crosthwaite and published by Children’s Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc.

 

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“Frizzy,” written by Claribel A. Ortega, is the 2023 Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award winner. The book is illustrated by Rose Bousamra and published by First Second, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

 

Three Belpré Children’s Author Honor Books were named:

“The Coquíes Still Sing,” written by Karina Nicole González, illustrated by Krystal Quiles and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. 

 

“The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border,” written by Stephen Briseño, illustrated by Magdalena Mora and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

 

“Tumble,” written by Celia C. Pérez and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

 

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“Burn Down, Rise Up,” written by Vincent Tirado, is the 2023 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award winner. The book is published by Sourcebooks Fire, an imprint of Sourcebooks. 

 

Three Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Book were named:

“Breathe and Count Back from Ten,” written by Natalia Sylvester and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

 

“High Spirits,” written by Camille Gomera-Tavarez and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.

 

“The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School,” written by Sonora Reyes and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

 

Calling All Latino Authors

From Arte Público Press:

HOUSTON, TX—Generations of Hispanic children in US schools had to do without books reflecting their culture and heritage. In 2019, according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 225 of the 4,029 children’s books published were written by Latinos; only 235 were about Latinos. 

To fill that gap, Arte Público Press is accepting children’s book manuscripts to be considered for two awards: the SALINAS DE ALBA AWARD FOR LATINO CHILDREN’S LITERATURE and THE REYES-OLIVAS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF LATINO CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE. Both seek to stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that realistically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Hispanic culture. In addition to the publication of the book and royalties from sales, the winning authors will receive a $5,000 prize. Submissions for both awards are accepted year-round. The winners will be announced shortly before the publication of the book. Entries—in English, Spanish or bilingual formats—should be submitted in a PDF file here. 

Specifically for children’s picture books, The SALINAS DE ALBA AWARD is named in honor of Hermila Lidia Salinas de Alba (1921-2017), a mother, grandmother and primary schoolteacher who loved children and reading. Born and raised in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Hermila was educated at the Escuela Normal in Saltillo, Coahuila, and taught at a primary school in Piedras Negras. She married Samuel Alba in 1943 and together they raised ten children. In addition to various business ventures in Piedras Negras, they pursued migrant farm work in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho before settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. She stressed the importance of education and left a legacy of love and lifelong learning for numerous descendants.

The REYES-OLIVAS AWARD, created to inspire first-time authors of books for children or teens, is funded by and named after retired University of Houston professors, Drs. Augustina Reyes and Michael A. Olivas. Dr. Reyes, Professor Emerita in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies in the College of Education, is an expert in urban educational leadership in environments with diverse populations and has worked to expose immigrant and migrant children to Arte Público’s books. Dr. Olivas, the William B. Bates Distinguished Chair of Law (Emeritus) at the University of Houston Law Center and chair of the press’ advisory board for a decade, published two scholarly books with Arte Público and is the author or co-author of sixteen books.

For more information, contact:

Verónica Romero

bromero2@uh.edu

New Voices And New Visions Awards

 

 

For more information visit, www.leeandlow.com/writing-contests

From Lee & Low Books:

Lee & Low Books offers two annual writing contests that encourage writers of color and Native/Indigenous writers to submit their manuscripts to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. Winners of each contest receive a cash prize of $2,000 and a standard publishing contract with Lee & Low Books. Honor Award winners receive a cash prize of $1,000.

 

 

New Voices Award - Picture Book Manuscripts

 

Established in 2000, the New Voices Award is given annually to an unpublished author of color or Native/Indigenous author for a picture book manuscript. Previous winners include award-winning titles such as As Fast As Words Could Fly, Juna's Jar, It Jes' Happened, and Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds.

 

Manuscripts may be FICTION, NON-FICTION, or POETRY for children ages 5-12. Manuscripts should address the needs of children of color or native children by providing stories they can identify with and which promote greater understanding of one another. Themes relating to non-traditional family structures, gender identity, or disabilities are also of interest.

 

Eligibility: Contestants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

 

• Self-identify as a person of color or a Native/indigenous person.

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of entry.

• Be a resident of the United States.

• Not have had a children's picture book published.

Submission Period: May 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021

 

 

New Visions Award - Middle Grade/Young Adult Manuscripts

 

Established in 2012, the New Visions Award is given annually to an unpublished author of color or Native/Indigenous author for a middle grade or young adult manuscript. Previous winners include the award-winning Ink and Ashes, Ahimsa and Rebel Seoul.

 

Manuscripts may be novels or graphic novels in any fictional genre for children ages 8 to 12 or young adults ages 12 to 18. Manuscripts should address the needs of children and teens of color by providing stories the can identify with and which promote greater understanding of one another. Themes relating to LGBTQ+ topics or disabilities may also be included.

 

Eligibility: Contestants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

 

• Self-identify as a person of color or a Native/indigenous person.

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of entry.

• Be a resident of the United States.

• Not have had a middle grade or young adult novel published.

Submission Period: May 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021

 

 

2021 Tomás Rivera Book Award Winners

Texas State University College of Education created The Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award in 1995 to honor authors and illustrators who create literature that depicts the Mexican American experience. It is named in honor of Texas State University distinguished alumnus Dr. Tomás Rivera. https://www.education.txstate.edu/ci/riverabookaward/about.html

 

Dreaming with Mariposas

 

Sonia Gutiérrez's Dreaming with Mariposas, written in a Tomás Rivera and Sandra Cisneros bildungsroman vignette style, recounts the story of the Martínez family as told through the eyes of transfronteriza/transboundary Sofía Martínez, "Chofi," Francisco and Helena's daughter, as well as multiple narrators, emulating oral tradition. The novel embraces food as a communal practice with the ability to heal a family through storytelling. Dreaming with Mariposas presents glimpses of poetic diction in times of anti-rhetoric, inspiring readers to reclaim their sacred spaces and voices and to pursue dreams even when the future looks dismal. Chofi witnesses institutional racism, sexual harassment, and colorism and learns to navigate her parents' dreams and her dreams as she discovers her superpower, the strength of her Mexican Indigenous heritage, and the spirit world.

 

 

Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth

 

Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind.
 
Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.

 

 

The Spirit of Chicano Park/ El espíritu del parque Chicano

 

Join Bettie and Bonky as they discover a magical park located in the most peculiar place, under a bridge! They learn to love their new home in Barrio Logan, a neighborhood with a rich history in San Diego, California. Through the eyes of a mystical señora they travel through a historical journey of a community's struggle to build a park.

 

The Spirit of Chicano Park/El espiritu del parque Chicano is a bilingual, children’s picture book that depicts the history of the creation of a historic park located in the community of Logan Heights in San Diego, California. The park was founded in 1970 as a result of a community Take Over of the land. The park was born out of a community’s struggle to create a place for family gatherings amidst the destruction of their community through the enforcement of eminent domain and the building of Interstate 5 freeway and the Coronado Bridge. The park is located underneath the Coronado Bridge. Massive cement pillars support the bridge and fill the park’s landscape.  Community artists painted murals on the pillars that depict the history of the park and the history of the Chicano community. Housed in the center of the park is a one-of-a-kind stage called a Kiosco. The park is a living legacy of the people of Logan Heights, now also known as Barrio Logan. It is a vibrant park with community activities, dance ceremonials, and political gatherings occurring on a regular basis. Chicano Park is known nationally and internationally because of its art, but also because it became a symbol of hope and self-determination for the Chicano/Mexican-American community throughout the United States. The park was designated as a Historical Landmark in 2016.

Cinco Puntos Press Art Auction and ALA Awards

https://cincopuntos.com/art-auction/

 

From Cinco Puntos Press:

 

Cinco Puntos Press Art Auction: Chicanx Artists, Fronterizx Roots

Cinco Puntos feels deeply privileged to be offering paintings and prints by renowned Chicanx artists, the late Gloria Osuna Perez and the celebrated bordeño painter and printmaker Francisco Delgado. These were unexpected gifts. This auction of these works of art will supplement our GoFundMe campaign as we navigate the Pandemic Economic Shutdown. Bidding will open at June 23, 10:00a.m.MDT (12p.m.EDT), and close at July 2, 5:00p.m.MDT (7:00p.m.EDT).

 

Click on the painting  to place your bid.

 

 

http://www.ala.org/news/book-award-celebration

From ALA/ American Library Association:

 

The American Library Association (ALA) is offering an exciting new free all-day virtual event celebrating the winners of several of its major book awards, including the esteemed Newbery and Caldecott medals, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, the Printz Award, and the Stonewall youth and adult Book Awards.

 

Beginning at 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, June 28, 2020, on ALA’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AmLibraryAssociation, The ALA Book Award Celebration will serve as an opportunity for the association to showcase its book award celebrations that traditionally take place during the ALA Annual Conference. This is a free event that highlights youth and adult selections administered by ALA units, division, and round tables does not require registration.

 

ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Booklist Magazine, Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services, and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), along with Belpré Award co-sponsor, The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA) have organized a brand new virtual celebration to honor award winning authors, illustrators, publishers, and producers.

 

Pre-recorded videos from book award winners will premiere for the first time throughout the day, according to the times designated by the schedule below. Viewers can watch live and share comments in chat, or view event videos on ALA’s YouTube channel soon after their premiere.

https://www.youtube.com/user/AmLibraryAssociation

 

9 a.m. CT - Coretta Scott King Book Awards

10:30 a.m. CT -  Batchelder, Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media, Geisel and Sibert Awards

Noon CT  - Stonewall Book Awards

2 p.m. CT - Belpré Celebración

3:30 p.m. CT - Odyssey Award Ceremony

5 p.m. CT -  Printz Award Ceremony

7 p.m. CT - Newbery and Caldecott Medals and Children’s Literature Legacy Award Virtual Banquet

 

Also, the event will highlight a variety of award-winning books throughout the day including winning selections from the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Sydney Taylor Book Award, and the American Indian Youth Literature Award .

 

Book lovers from around the world are expected to participate and are encouraged to hold watch parties and post photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #TheBookAwardCelebration. Viewer social media posts will be automatically entered into giveaways taking place during the celebration.

 

To learn more about the event and participating authors, illustrators, and producers, please follow the hashtag #TheBookAwardCelebration on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 Américas Book Award Winners

The Américas Award is given in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. By combining both and linking the Americas, the award reaches beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere. The award is sponsored by the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP).

Award Winners

Beast Rider by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads (Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, 2019)

Between Us and Abuela by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Sara Palacios (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2019)

Honorable Mentions

My Papi has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña, Kokila (Penguin Young Readers Group, 2019)

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2019)

The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel (Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 2019)

2020 Américas Award Commended Titles

Along the Tapajós written and illustrated by Fernando Vilela and translated by Daniel Hahn. Amazon Crossing Kids, New York, 2019.

A New Home written and illustrated by Tania de Regil. Candlewick Press, 2019.

Caravan to the North written by Jorge Argueta. Groundwood Books, 2019.

Freedom Soup written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. Candlewick Press, 2019.

Fuego Fuegito/ Fire, Little Fire/ Tit, Titchin written by Jorge Tetl Argueta and illustrated by Felipe Ugalde Alcántara. Piñata Books, 2019.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré written by Anika Aldamuy Denise and illustrated by Paola Escobar Harper. HarperCollins Publishers, 2019.

Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2019.

The Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refugees Who Dream of Crossing the Border written by Juan Pablo Villalobos. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2019.

Titanosaur written by Dr. José Luis Carballido and Dr. Diego Pol and illustrated by Florencia Gigena. Orchard Books, New York, an Imprint of Scholastic Inc. 2019.

American Library Association Award Winners 2020

Pura Belpré Awards honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:

“Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln,” illustrated by Rafael López, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Margarita Engle and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Three Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were named:

"Across the Bay,” illustrated by Carlos Aponte, written by the illustrator and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

"My Papi Has a Motorcycle," illustrated by Zeke Peña, written by Isabel Quintero and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

"¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market," illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez, written by the author and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

“Sal and Gabi Break the Universe,” written by Carlos Hernandez, is the Pura Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group. 

Four Belpré Author Honor Books was named: 

"Lety Out Loud," written by Angela Cervantes and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

"The Other Half of Happy," written by Rebecca Balcárcel and published by Chronicle Books.

"Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré," written by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

"Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War," written by Duncan Tonatiuh, illustrated by the author and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African-American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults: 

“New Kid” written by Jerry Craft, is the King Author Book winner. The book is illustrated by the author and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. 

Three King Author Honor Books were selected:

“The Stars and the Blackness Between Them,” written by Junauda Petrus and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

“Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,” written by Kwame Mbalia and published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

“Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks,” written by Jason Reynolds and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book. 

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

“The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Kwame Alexander and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected:

“The Bell Rang,” illustrated by James E. Ransome, written by the illustrator and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

“Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace,” illustrated by Ashley Bryan, written by the illustrator and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

“Sulwe,” illustrated by Vashti Harrison, written by Lupita Nyong’o and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award:

“Genesis Begins Again,” written by Alicia D. Williams, is the Steptoe author award winner. The book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award:

“What Is Given from the Heart,” illustrated by April Harrison, is the Steptoe illustrator award winner. The book is written by Patricia C. McKissack and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:

Mildred D. Taylor is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. 

Born in Mississippi in 1943 and raised in Ohio, Taylor resides in Colorado. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” won the 1977 Newbery Award and a Coretta Scott King Book Award honor. Taylor received the international 2003 inaugural NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature. Her books earned national recognition including four CSK author awards and two author honors. Her 2020 Logan family series conclusion “All the Days Past, All the Days to Come” continues addressing systemic injustice, entrenched inequality and the roots of racism.

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:

“New Kid,” written by Jerry Craft, is the 2020 Newbery Medal winner. The book is illustrated by the author and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

Four Newbery Honor Books also were named:

“The Undefeated,” written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

“Scary Stories for Young Foxes,” written by Christian McKay Heidicker, illustrated by Junyi Wu and published by Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.

“Other Words for Home,” written by Jasmine Warga and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

“Genesis Begins Again,” written by Alicia D. Williams and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book. 

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

“The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson is the 2020 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Kwame Alexander and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named:

“Bear Came Along,” illustrated by LeUyen Pham, written by Richard T. Morris and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group.

“Double Bass Blues,” illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Andrea J. Loney and published by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

“Going Down Home with Daddy,” illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons and published by Peachtree Publishers.  

For a complete list of ALA awards and winners visit,

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/01/american-library-association-announces-2020-youth-media-award-winners