Pura Belpre Award

Fiesta Babies! by Carmen Tafolla and illustrated by Amy Cordova

2011 Honor Book for Illustration

TaFolla, C. (2010). Fiesta Babies. New York, NY: Tricycle Press.

This is a great book for an elementary Spanish class. More school districts are using a bilingual program to instill at an early age the importance speaking more than your native language. What better way to introduce a new culture than through a colorful party and beautiful babies. The illustrator, Amy Cordova, used primary colors in a festive and enticing manner to allure the reader into the Mexican culture. Introduced to the food, music, language and dances of the Latino culture, the reader can’t help but to enjoy the reading experience. The text seamlessly weaves Spanish words into the text, denoting immediate meaning and visualization. This book would also serve well in a social studies class, perhaps around Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday celebrating Mexico’s independence from France.

Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary Schmidt and illustrated by David Diaz

2013 Medal Winner for Illustration

Schmidt, G. (2012). Martin de Porrés: The Rose in the Desert. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

This fascinating picture (biography) book tells of the first Black Saint, Martin de Porrés, who astonished the Peruvian city of Lima with his healing, Christ-like persona, and wondrous ability to communicate with and enhance the lives of all, whether creature or human. Born of a slave and a Spaniard, Martin was given to the church by his mother and apprenticed as dentist and doctor. Martin, earning the label his mother gave him—the rose in the desert—Martin shuns no one, even when he was shunned against. Shocking his community by appearing in multiple places and having a citrus tree that bore fruit year around, it wasn’t until upon his death that the community rallied in true love by joining hands and singing him off into heaven. The mosaic drawings subliminally recall the stained glass windows of most churches during the 16th century. David Diaz, the illustrator, transports the readers back in time to visualize the impact of Martin in Lima, as followers reaffirmed their religious beliefs due to his healing and humble nature. I picture using this lesson in a social studies class, perhaps around Christmas, to symbolize the power of love and the true meaning of giving.

Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folklore by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Michael Austin

Deedy, C. (2007). Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folklore. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.

This wonderful picture book is about a coming-of-age young cockroach girl, who must “give her leg” in marriage. After receiving gifts from her mother and aunts, Martina’s Cuban grandmother imparts the best wisdom she can give her granddaughter: know what your gentleman’s like when he’s angry before you marry him and be yourself. In order to test the suitors of her “marrying leg,” Martina’s grandmother instructs her to spill coffee on the shoes of her suitors to judge their temperament. It is through these tests that the joy and humor captures the reader’s attention. The illustrations scream the culture of Cuban, with vibrant colors and pompous depictions of the various animal suitors. Austin took a step away from the pungent primary colors and made movement in the illustration by using curvier lines and subdue colors that reflected a Cuban sunset--magenta, fuchsia, indigo, jaded greens. Because the folklore is the life of a "cucaracha" (a roach) Austin did a remarkable job injecting imagination. For instance, he used stacked Cuban cigar boxes (steps), a discarded comb (handrail) and a salt shaker (banister) to create a stairway. His attention to detail made the story believable and quaint, for roaches are never lovable and embraced by the human race.