PURA BELPRÉ

Frida ¡Viva la Vida!

Bernier-Grand, C.T. (2007) Frida ¡Viva la Vida! Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation

Read through the poems that give a look into the life of Frida Kahlo from her childhood, through her crippling accident and the tumultuous relationship with her famous husband. Her portraits follow along with the poems and depict important life events of the tortures Mexican artists who

 

The Bossy Gallito

González, L. M. (1994) The Bossy Gallito. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

The Bossy Gallito is on his way to the wedding of Tío Perico, but after eating some corn he dirties his beak and is looking for a patch of grass to help clean it. The grass won’t help and so the Gallito goes on a quest to bully a goat, a stick, a fire and others to try to get his beak cleaned in time. Finally, it is his friend the Sun who helps Gallito with his dilemma.

Magic Windows

Lomas Garza, C. (1999) Magic Window. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

Author Carmen Lomas Garza takes us on a journey through Mexican folklore through her cut paper art, papel picado, that features depictions of her life growing up in South Texas. Read about traditions of Day of the Dead, traditional Mexican dancing and flora and fauna of Texas and Mexico as you look at her intricate designs cut out in paper. 

 

Mango, Abuela, and Me

Medina, M. (2015) Mango, Abuela, and Me.Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Mia’s grandmother has come to live with her and her parents, but her abuela does not speak English and Mia’s Spanish is rusty at best. Communication is difficult between the two but they bond over a pet parrot that Mia gets for her grandmother. Soon, Mia, abuela and Mango, the parrot, are bridging the language gap and becoming closer in this delightful story sprinkled with Spanish words.

Juan Bobo Goes To Work

Montes, M. (2000) Juan Bobo Goes To Work. New York, NY: Harper Collins Children’s Books.

Juan Bobo, the absent minded young boy lives in Puerto Rico with his mother. Juan always tries to do the right thing but he just can’t seem to get it right. Over the course of several days Juan works for the farmer and the grocer, but his day’s payment never makes it home due to Juan’s foolishness. But his antics don’t cost him a juicy ham; they made a sick girl better and her wealthy father makes sure that every Sunday Juan and his mother have a plump ham to feast on. 

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Montes, M. (2006) Los Gatos Black on Halloween. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.

This delightful dance of Spanish and English create a melodic narration of Halloween with a touch of hispanic culture. Spanish words are part of the narration without a translation but it’s fun to guess the meaning, which is easy even for non-Spanish speakers. A fun rhyme takes you through a spooky and magical Halloween night.

Cuba 15

Osa, N. (2003) Cuba 15. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

Violet Paz is on the eve of turning 15 years old and she is also becoming more curious about her Cuban heritage. Her Grandmother wants to have a quinceañero for her, celebrating her transition into womanhood. The upcoming celebration has stirred a greater interest in Violet’s Cuban heritage but speaking of it is not easy for her family. Read as Violet navigates her way through 10th grade as a Cuban-Polish girl living in Chicago, trying to understand a country that is near and far all at once.

Chato’s Kitchen

Soto, G. (1995) Chato’s Kitchen. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

New mice have moved into the neighborhood, and Chato the cat has some special plans to invite them over to become dinner. He slaves away in the kitchen, making the perfect meal to go with his new neighbors, but little does he know that the mice are bringing a special friend who will make Chato change his plans.

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras

Tonatiuh, D. (2015) Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. New York, NY: Abrams Books For Young Readers.

Discover the story of the man behind the Day of the Dead calaveras that are now a part of the celebration of death and life. José Guadalupe Posada was a young man born in México who became a printer and illustrator due to the guidance and partnership of his mentor. What began as a career making political cartoons later developed into creating images of calaveras that today decorate a variety of Día de los Muertos items that are now a part of Mexican culture and enjoyed worldwide. 

 

Grandma’s Gift

Velásquez, E. (2010) Grandma’s Gift. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company, Inc.

Eric Velásquez is a young boy growing up in New York and Christmas is approaching. His grandmother will be watching his during the holiday break and she takes Eric around the Puerto Rican side of town in search of ingredient for pasteles, taking in the language and the sights of the community. On a museum visit with his grandmother Eric comes face to face with a portrait that reaffirms his identity as an Afro American Hispanic and inspires his career as an artist.