Pura Belpre'

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach
Deedy, C.A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. (M. Austin, Illus.). Atlanta: Peachtree
Publishers.

In this Cuban Folktale, Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha, the beautiful cockroach, has turned 21 days old and it is time for her to get married. Everyone in her family offered her something including Abuela, her Cuban grandmother, who gave her advice on picking a husband. Her grandmother’s advice was to spill coffee on the suitor’s shoes to see how he would talk to her when he was angry. Her suitors include Don Gallo the rooster, Don Cerdo the pig, Don Lagarto the lizard, and Perez the mouse. All the suitors but the Perez fail her grandmother’s coffee test because he also has a Cuban grandmother.

Genre: Folktale
Type of Book: Picture Book
Interest level: K-3 Reading level: 3.1
Awards: Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2008
ALA Notable, 2008
Texas Bluebonnet Nominee, 2009

My Colors, My World, Mis Colores, Mi Mundo
Gonzalez, M.C. (2007). My colors, my world, mis colores, mi mundo. California: Children’s Book Press.

All the colors of the rainbow are introduced through things that Maya sees in her own environment. Despite the sand storm that covers everything brown, a bird helps Maya see the pink and blue in the sky, the orange of marigold flowers, and yellow in the pollen. The illustrations couldn’t be any brighter, and the Maya’s joy in the colors of the world can be seen on every page through both her and her bird’s facial expression. The story is written in both English and Spanish helping young readers bridge the gap between their native language and English. The book also includes a bilingual color glossary.

Genre: Fiction
Type of Book: Picture book
Interest level: K-3 Reading level: 2.0
Awards: Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book, 2008
ALA Notable, 2008

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About A Giant Woman With A Great Big Heart
Mora, P. (2005). Dona Flor: A tall tale about a giant woman with a great big heart. (R. Colon, Illus.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf

As a baby Flor’s mother sang to her and just like everything else Flor’s mother sang to she grew and grew. As a child other children made fun of Flor because she was so big. However, one day when the town was scared inside because of a large cat, Flor set out to save her town and her friends. Flor was surprised when she finally found the giant cat. The giant cat was actually a small puma who was roaring into a long, hollow log to make himself sound ferocious. Despite their fear, the townspeople come looking for Flor to find the puma purring under Flor’s gentle touch. Flor’s larger than life, unselfish nature is conveyed through her actions and large colored pencil illustrations.

Genre: Folktale
Type of Book: Picture Book
Interest level: K-3 Reading level: 1.4
Awards: Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2006
ALA Notable, 2006

Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book
Morales, Y. (2008). Just in case: A trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. New York: Roaring Book Press.

Just in Case combines both the English and Spanish language. The bright vivid illustrations and the use of both languages bring alive the story of Senor Calavera, who is hunting for a birthday present for his Grandma Beetle. All of Senor Calavera’s gift choices are questioned by Zelmiro the Ghost. Senor Calavera ends up gathering gifts to represent every letter of the alphabet but Z. As he races to the party, he crashes his bike and is unable to retrieve all of the gifts, except for one present. Senor Calavera arrives at the party just before Grandma Beetle blows out the candles with the best present, Grandpa Zelmiro. Despite Senor Calavera being a skeleton, the author and illustrator, is able to portray him as a fun and whimsical character through bright colors and unique arrangement of words and illustrations.

Genre: Folktale
Type of Book: Picture book
Interest level: K-3 Reading level: 2.3
Awards: Pura Belpre Illustrator Award, 2009