The Storyteller's Candle / La Velita de Los Cuentos

Jane Addams Children's Book Award, Jane Addams Peace Association

Pura Belpr? Author Award Honor, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

Pura Belpr? Illustrator Award Honor, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

Book of the Year Award, Finalist, ForeWord Magazine

International Latino Book Awards, Honorable Mention, Latino Literacy Now

Skipping Stones Honor Award, Skipping Stones Magazine

Bilingual English/Spanish. A bilingual biography of Pura Belpr?, New York City's first Latina librarian.

The winter of 1929 feels especially cold to cousins Hildamar and Santiago--they arrived in New York City from sunny Puerto Rico only months before. Their island home feels very far away indeed, especially with Three Kings' Day rapidly approaching. But then a magical thing happened. A visitor appears in their class, a gifted storyteller and librarian by the name of Pura Belpr?. She opens the children's eyes to the public library and its potential to be the living, breathing heart of the community. The library, after all, belongs to everyone--whether you speak Spanish, English, or both.

The award-winning team of Luc?a Gonz?lez and Lulu Delacre have crafted an homage to Pura Belpr?, New York City's first Latina librarian. Through her vision and dedication, the warmth of Puerto Rico came to the island of Manhattan in a most unexpected way.