Belpre Medal

Belpré Medal
Awarded for	excellent portrayal of Latin experience in children's literature
Presented by	Association for Library Service to Children
Country	United States
First awarded	1996
Official website

Established in 1996, the Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth.^[1] It has been given every other year since 1996. Beginning with the 2009 award, it will be given annually.^[2]

The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library.^[2] 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.^[2] The award is given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA).^[2]

Criteria

• Two medals shall be awarded at the annual conference of the American Library Association, one to a Latino author and one to a Latino illustrator, for creating outstanding original children's (age 0-14) books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.^[3]
• For purposed of this award, Latino is defined as people whose heritage emanates from any of the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Western Hemisphere.^[3]
• The award-winning books must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico.^[3]
• The the committee is not to consider the entire body of work by an author or whether the author has previously won the award.^[3]
• Recipients of the Pura Belpré Medal must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico.^[3]
• Fiction and nonfiction books for children published in Spanish, English, or bilingual format are eligible.^[3]
• Honor books may be named.^[3]
• If suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year.^[3]
• One person may be selected to receive the awards in both categories.^[3]

Recipients

Recipients of Multiple Medals and Honors

• Yuyi Morales has received 3 medals and 2 honors as an illustrator and an author.
• Margarita Engle has received 2 medals as an author.
• Susan Guevara has received 2 medals as an illustrator.
• Carmen Lomas Garza has received 1 medal and 2 honors as an illustrator.
• Raúl Colón has received 1 medal and 1 honor as an illustrator.
• Pam Muñoz Ryan has received 1 medal and 1 honor as an author.
• Lulu Delacre has received 3 honors as an illustrator.
• Carmen T. Bernier-Grand has received 2 honors as an author.
• David Diaz has received 2 honors as illustrator.
• Francisco Jiménez has received 2 honors as an author.
• Francisco X. Alarcón has received 2 honors as an author.
• George Ancona has received 2 honors as an illustrator.
• Lucía González has received 2 honors as an author.

• Just In Case was the subject of a medal for illustration and an honor for narration in 2009.
• Los Gatos Black on Halloween was the subject of a medal for illustration and an honor for narration in 2008
• Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart was the subject of a medal for illustration and an honor for narration in 2006.
• The Storyteller's Candle was the subject of 2 honors for narration and illustration in 2009.
• César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! was the subject of 2 honors for narration and illustration in 2006.
• El Gallo de Bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale was the subject of 2 honors for narration and illustration in 1996.

References