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Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
Follow la vida y legado of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.
When she came to America in 1921, Pura carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular stories into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and cuentistas continue to share her stories and celebrate Pura’s legacy.
This portrait of the influential librarian, author, and puppeteer reminds us of the power of storytelling and the extraordinary woman who opened doors and championed bilingual literature.
When she came to America in 1921, Pura carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular stories into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and cuentistas continue to share her stories and celebrate Pura’s legacy.
This portrait of the influential librarian, author, and puppeteer reminds us of the power of storytelling and the extraordinary woman who opened doors and championed bilingual literature.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2019
35 people are currently reading
2286 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 691 reviews
June 9, 2019
Pura loved stories from her grandmother. She grew up in Puerto Rico and came to NYC where she became a librarian and storyteller. She even published her stories so the children would have them in the library. She toured the country telling children her story.
The artwork is very beautiful in this and full of color and life. You can tell that Pura had a vivacious energy about her. This is historically based and it’s a good story for a nonfiction book. I enjoyed getting to know this woman.
The kids thought this book looked fun. They have lots of people reading stories to them and they appreciate that. It wasn’t the most exciting story to them. They both gave it 3 stars.
The artwork is very beautiful in this and full of color and life. You can tell that Pura had a vivacious energy about her. This is historically based and it’s a good story for a nonfiction book. I enjoyed getting to know this woman.
The kids thought this book looked fun. They have lots of people reading stories to them and they appreciate that. It wasn’t the most exciting story to them. They both gave it 3 stars.
September 21, 2019
5 stars for the book’s subject about a remarkable and inspiring woman and her story. 5 stars for the illustrations. 4-1/2 stars for the story = 5 stars from me.
I adore the illustrations. They’re wonderful. Gorgeous with a wonderful use of color and so many fun details to pore over. I loved all of them, including the end papers.
The story is good, very good. I particularly like how many Spanish words and phrases are included and in such a way that their English translations are clear or clear enough even if the reader/listener doesn’t know any Spanish.
The four pages at the end of the book, an author’s note of two pages and two pages of additional resources (selected bibliography, archival collections, articles and films, further reading, stories by Pura Belpré mentioned in this book) are welcome additions though not a comprehensive list.
I adore the illustrations. They’re wonderful. Gorgeous with a wonderful use of color and so many fun details to pore over. I loved all of them, including the end papers.
The story is good, very good. I particularly like how many Spanish words and phrases are included and in such a way that their English translations are clear or clear enough even if the reader/listener doesn’t know any Spanish.
The four pages at the end of the book, an author’s note of two pages and two pages of additional resources (selected bibliography, archival collections, articles and films, further reading, stories by Pura Belpré mentioned in this book) are welcome additions though not a comprehensive list.
September 20, 2019
To call Anika Aladamuy Denise's Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré a wonderful junior level picture book biography, while this is of course and indeed the truth, it is still in my opinion a bit of an understatement, as the combination of the author's words and Paola Escobar's accompanying illustrations are in fact (and of course also in my humble opinion) pure and utter perfection (presenting both the high and low points of Pura Belprė's life, her many achievements, how she made popular Latino literature and folklore in the United States and yes, that even sad events such as the death of her husband are approached by Anika Aldamuy Denise gently but all the same realistically, and above all presenting in Pura Belpré a totally shining star, who planted stories like seeds and made them grow and everlastingly flourish). Combined with Paola Escobar's delightful accompanying pictures, artwork that is lush, imaginative but also delightfully realistic (and always totally mirroring the author's engaging and evocative narrative), I will gladly and with no hesitation whatsoever grant a full five stars to Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré (and with the informative author's note as well as the supplemental resource pages for me being the absolute icing on an already delicious cake, featuring a select bibliography, archival collections, articles and films on Pura Belpré, suggestions for further reading and indeed and appreciatively also that the Pura Belpré stories Anika Aldamuty Denise uses and cites in the main narrative of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré are equally cited by their titles and given a basic plot summary and analysis in the supplemental resources section of this in every way amazing and spectacular picture book biography).
April 18, 2019
This is a truly delightful book celebrating the first Puerto Rican librarian who sowed "story seeds" in New York Public Library. Indeed, Pura Belpré authored and created a collection of Latinx storybooks for the Library, the first of their kind in America. I loved the language and the incorporation of some Spanish phrases and the pictures truly absorbed my interest.
August 4, 2019
The last few years have produced the most remarkable and exquisite children's literature biographies. Planting Stories is probably tied with The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown as my favorite. We are talking out of hundreds and hundreds of titles I have purchased and reviewed through the years. I haven't been this excited about a picture book since Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. Not only is the subject, Pura Belpre (heck-there is an esteemed children's literature award named after her), incredibly important, the illustrations are some of the most detailed and beautiful that I have ever seen in children's literature. I consider Planting Seeds to be one of the best books of 2019.
Clearly, I adore this book. I would be over the moon if it won a Caldecott. Hopefully the 2020 committee will recognize its excellence. The 2019 committee dropped the ball on Dreamers but don't get me started there.
Clearly, I adore this book. I would be over the moon if it won a Caldecott. Hopefully the 2020 committee will recognize its excellence. The 2019 committee dropped the ball on Dreamers but don't get me started there.
January 31, 2019
This is the kind of picture book biography that belongs on any librarian’s shelves, not only because the illustrations (and endpapers!) are absolutely gorgeous, but because the story of Pura Belpre’s lasting impact on children’s librarianship and the Latinx community is both a wonder and an inspiration. My favorite picture book bio featuring a librarian to date!
October 1, 2021
Fine picture book biography of librarian, storyteller and author Pura Belpré who came to NYC from Puerto Rico in 1921 and found no books on her home country in the libraries, so she began telling those stories in the library, then writing books based on those stories, so when she was in the library in 1961 she could see the transformations she had ignited.
Moral: If you don't see a book on an important topic that you care about, write that book.
Moral: If you don't see a book on an important topic that you care about, write that book.
January 20, 2019
Author Anika Aldamuy Denise and illustrator Paola Escobar explore the life of celebrated storyteller, librarian and author Pura Belpré in this lovely new picture-book biography. The first Puerto Rican to work at the New York Public Library, Belpré hosted storytelling sessions in which she shared the folklore of her native island with young children, eventually going on to publish many of those tales. The Pura Belpré Award, which is given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and which recognizes outstanding children's books depicting the Latino cultural experience in the United States, is named in her honor...
As a long time admirer of Pura Belpré, one who has read almost all of her work, I was delighted when Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré came in to work. I recognized the author as the creator of Starring Carmen and its sequels, which I have enjoyed, and I found the cover-art appealing. The narrative here was engaging and informative - I particularly liked the mention of Perez and Martina ! - and the illustrations simply gorgeous. Paola Escobar utilizes a lovely color palette, and has a charming style. There is an author's note, and a list of sources and reading ideas at the rear. All in all, an educational and entertaining work of picture-book biography, one I would recommend to fellow Pura Belpré fans, and to young book and story lovers.
As a long time admirer of Pura Belpré, one who has read almost all of her work, I was delighted when Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré came in to work. I recognized the author as the creator of Starring Carmen and its sequels, which I have enjoyed, and I found the cover-art appealing. The narrative here was engaging and informative - I particularly liked the mention of Perez and Martina ! - and the illustrations simply gorgeous. Paola Escobar utilizes a lovely color palette, and has a charming style. There is an author's note, and a list of sources and reading ideas at the rear. All in all, an educational and entertaining work of picture-book biography, one I would recommend to fellow Pura Belpré fans, and to young book and story lovers.
February 20, 2019
LOVED IT! I am such a sucker for stories about people who have paved the way for literacy, learning, and librarianship. This was a great account of a woman who helped diversify children's literature by publishing stories, curating puppetshows, and planting seeds of change during the 1920s and beyond. Best of all, the illustrations were absolutely dreamy, detailed, and downright gorgeous.
May 27, 2019
Gorgeous illustrations with a compelling story. Loved it.
February 5, 2019
This book was recommended to me by a fellow librarian, and given that it was just published, our academic library didn't yet have it. And, considering our academic library serves a large community of library science students, I figured that we could get away with purchasing more resources about librarians. So we did!
Planting Stories is a beautiful, biographical tale about Pura Belpre who made space for herself and her culture in her library. The focus is more on her work as a librarian rather than her as a wife or parent, which was just...incredible. Finally, a biography about a specific aspect of a person's life that doesn't completely shift focus into her home life!
Not only that, but the illustrations are absolutely beautiful--they're colorful, evocative, bright, joyful. I'm going to definitely keep an eye on this book as the year continues. I think this book will make its way into award committee meetings, either for its nonfiction genre or for its illustrations. I mean, maybe it's my own bias of absolute love for this book, but I also think that this book, if more widely recognized, will take the literary world by storm. I'm excited to see where it goes!
Review cross-listed here!
Planting Stories is a beautiful, biographical tale about Pura Belpre who made space for herself and her culture in her library. The focus is more on her work as a librarian rather than her as a wife or parent, which was just...incredible. Finally, a biography about a specific aspect of a person's life that doesn't completely shift focus into her home life!
Not only that, but the illustrations are absolutely beautiful--they're colorful, evocative, bright, joyful. I'm going to definitely keep an eye on this book as the year continues. I think this book will make its way into award committee meetings, either for its nonfiction genre or for its illustrations. I mean, maybe it's my own bias of absolute love for this book, but I also think that this book, if more widely recognized, will take the literary world by storm. I'm excited to see where it goes!
Review cross-listed here!
January 29, 2019
Rating: 5 Stars: ★★★★★
Planting Stories is a beautiful & heartwarming picture book that follows Pura Belpré when she moves from Puerto Rico to New York & continues to spread her love of stories! 📚✨
Not only is the art detailed and magnificent, but it also brings Belpré's story to life!
Belpré is an avid storyteller who grew up sharing the tales her abuela told her! So, now in New York, she finds her love of stories taking her on a journey to become a librarian (the 1st bilingual assistant), bring more latinx folktales & stories to the NYC Public Library, spark a love for stories/storytelling, even become an author herself to bring her tales from Puerto Rico to many more readers!
This is a delightful picture book and easily one of my favorites of the year! Highly recommend this wonderful book that shares the story of Pura Belpré!!
Planting Stories is a beautiful & heartwarming picture book that follows Pura Belpré when she moves from Puerto Rico to New York & continues to spread her love of stories! 📚✨
Not only is the art detailed and magnificent, but it also brings Belpré's story to life!
Belpré is an avid storyteller who grew up sharing the tales her abuela told her! So, now in New York, she finds her love of stories taking her on a journey to become a librarian (the 1st bilingual assistant), bring more latinx folktales & stories to the NYC Public Library, spark a love for stories/storytelling, even become an author herself to bring her tales from Puerto Rico to many more readers!
This is a delightful picture book and easily one of my favorites of the year! Highly recommend this wonderful book that shares the story of Pura Belpré!!
April 26, 2019
This picture book biography of Pura Belpré gave me a lot of feelings. I'd never heard of Belpré —the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City — until discovering this book, and I was living for her story.
In 1921, Belpré leaves San Juan to attend her sister's wedding in New York. She decided to stay and eventually gets a job at the New York Public Library (a dreeeeeeam) because they are searching for a bilingual assistant and she speaks Spanish, French and English. Noticing the lack of Puerto Rican books, she begins to write her own books for children. She sends them off to a publisher and they are successfully made into books. She also begins to create her own puppets to go along with the stories. This woman was amazing! I'm mad at myself that I didn't know about her! What other badass librarians are out in the world? What other great tales of literary awesomeness are unknown to me?
A final note. The art. The art in this book is gorgeous. I want to post every image on my wall (but won't, because this is a library book). Read this book over and over, and really savor it.
In 1921, Belpré leaves San Juan to attend her sister's wedding in New York. She decided to stay and eventually gets a job at the New York Public Library (a dreeeeeeam) because they are searching for a bilingual assistant and she speaks Spanish, French and English. Noticing the lack of Puerto Rican books, she begins to write her own books for children. She sends them off to a publisher and they are successfully made into books. She also begins to create her own puppets to go along with the stories. This woman was amazing! I'm mad at myself that I didn't know about her! What other badass librarians are out in the world? What other great tales of literary awesomeness are unknown to me?
A final note. The art. The art in this book is gorgeous. I want to post every image on my wall (but won't, because this is a library book). Read this book over and over, and really savor it.
January 17, 2019
More times than readers can count, they find answers in books to questions they haven't yet asked. Several years ago, in attendance at a storytelling class, it was suggested to begin and close a storytelling event with a candle or lamp. When the lamp is lit, the magic of storytelling starts. After the final tale is told, the flame is extinguished.
Listeners are asked to make three wishes; one for someone anywhere in the world who needs it, one for someone they love (including pets) and the final wish for themselves. They are, after all, very important people. As the flame is blown out, the wishes travel out in the world. Decades ago a wonderful parent gave me my storytelling lamp with a wick to light as it coils in oil in the body.
It wasn't until reading a new release yesterday, the possible origin of lighting a storytelling flame was presented to me. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, January 15, 2018) written by Anika Aldamuy Denise with illustrations by Paola Escobar depicts a marvelous portrait of a woman whose star will remain shining. Story was her gift. It still grows.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
August 6, 2021
This was a really impactful story about the life of Pura Belpré, author, puppeteer, and librarian from Puerto Rico. Not only was this a story about the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York, this is a heartwarming story about the impact librarians have on their community.
I really enjoyed learning about the life of Pura Belpré, and appreciated the bilingual aspect of this book as well.
Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
I really enjoyed learning about the life of Pura Belpré, and appreciated the bilingual aspect of this book as well.
Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
October 26, 2021
I finally got to read this after waiting with much anticipation and it did not disappoint. I don't have much to add to the already glowing reviews, but I loved it! The story was well told, with just enough detail to make Pura come alive, but without bogging down too much for young audiences. The "planting stories" theme is lovely, and ties in with one of Pura's own quotes (which you'll read in the excellent back matter) and the art work is an utter delight, full of period detail yet vibrant and fresh. Highly recommend!
February 8, 2019
This book is gorgeous and amazing. I loved everything about it. The detail in the illustrations is wonderful, right down to the titles of the books in the story and the inside cover. It's such an important story of a pioneer in librarianship. A must read for librarians and library enthusiasts especially.
October 18, 2018
A wonderful story about a woman important to libraries, children's literature, and the art of storytelling. And my god the illustrations are electrifyingly good.
May 3, 2019
This does a really good job of highlighting the thread of stories through Belpré's life.
The illustrations are so full of color, and all the settings (Puerto Rico, New York, the garment factory vs the library) feel different in terms of color/shades. When Belpré returns to the library at the end, it's so warm!
Spanish is used throughout the text here in a really natural way, and it's not italicized (yay!). It's perfect for a book about Pura Belpré.
Unsurprisingly, this would pair well with The Storyteller's Candle.
The illustrations are so full of color, and all the settings (Puerto Rico, New York, the garment factory vs the library) feel different in terms of color/shades. When Belpré returns to the library at the end, it's so warm!
Spanish is used throughout the text here in a really natural way, and it's not italicized (yay!). It's perfect for a book about Pura Belpré.
Unsurprisingly, this would pair well with The Storyteller's Candle.
March 3, 2020
Illustrations by Paola Escobar
5***** and a ❤
Subtitle: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
This picture book biography is marvelously illustrated by Paola Escobar. I can practically hear the noise of the ferries, traffic, sewing machines, and the laughter of children entertained by Belpré’s puppet shows.
I loved the story, which is simple enough for children to absorb, but detailed enough to engage an adult. I practically appreciated the author’s note which delves a bit deeper into Belpré’s extraordinary influence.
5***** and a ❤
Subtitle: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
This picture book biography is marvelously illustrated by Paola Escobar. I can practically hear the noise of the ferries, traffic, sewing machines, and the laughter of children entertained by Belpré’s puppet shows.
I loved the story, which is simple enough for children to absorb, but detailed enough to engage an adult. I practically appreciated the author’s note which delves a bit deeper into Belpré’s extraordinary influence.
January 15, 2019
By keeping alive the stories of her homeland, Pura Belpre touched the lives of so many. Well researched and from the heart, Denise plants seeds of her own with this inspiring story of an immigrant's gift to America's canon of multicultural storytelling. Escobar’s illustrations are elegant and as lush and vibrant as the language they bring to life. An important addition to ALL libraries—in town, in school, and at home.
February 5, 2019
This was just wonderful! A perfect book to read at the beginning of a Belpré unit but also a wonderful biography about using your strengths, storytelling, culture and language to make a difference in your community. I loved the illustrations and learning about Pura Belpré. Made me proud to be a part of the profession!
June 7, 2019
It's a children's book about a children's librarian... uummmm, You had me at hello. What I didn't expect was that it would be lyrical and so beautifully written that I would want to read it again and again just to appreciate the craft of the writing. The poetic texts sings in harmony with the luminescent art of the book.💘💘💘
March 22, 2019
Warm, evocative photos and a well-told text of Belpre's life make this a picture book to delight youngsters, caregivers, and library staff alike!
Great for a longer read-to story (older preschool through first or second grade) or a read-alone for second graders.
Great for a longer read-to story (older preschool through first or second grade) or a read-alone for second graders.
September 8, 2019
A beautiful book with a beautiful story from about the life of Pura Belpre.
February 14, 2019
The fantastic story behind the wonderful and talented Puerto Rican native storyteller and librarian, Pura Belpré
April 8, 2019
I didn't know there were biographies about librarians, much less (or specifically) the first Puerto Rican librarian! This book meant a lot to me.
March 16, 2021
This is a fine story, but it lacked many details that would have made it a better story.
April 23, 2021
As flowers bloom across the pages, Pura Belpré spread her bilingual stories across New York City. In 1921, Ms. Belpré became the first Puerto Rican librarian for the New York City Library introducing young readers to her island’s folktales, the puppeteer performances, and her book, Pérez and Martina, a love story between a mouse and a cockroach. Her legacy is remembered in the annual Pura Belpré Award recognizing Latino writer and illustrator of outstanding children’s books portraying the Latino culture. ¡Bravo!
March 18, 2019
After hearing Anika Aldamuy Denise speak about one of her heroes, Pura Belpré, at the Bank Street Latinx Mini-Conference last week, I knew I had to read her book. And what better place to do that than the place where Pura Belpré had such an immense impact - the NYPL.
Pura Belpré first arrived in New York in 1921, leaving her native Puerto Rico for what she thought would be a to visit to celebrate her sister's wedding, but she decided to stay. Her first job was in the garment factory, but she left that to work in the library.
When Pura came to NY, she brought all the stories her abuela taught her, stories that she loved so much from her homeland. At the library, she discovered there were no stories from Puerto Rico, and decided it was time to change that.
Pretty soon, Pura was telling her stories to the kids visiting the library, stories about Martina, the beautiful cockroach and Pérez, a gallant mouse.
Later, she made puppets for help bring her stories to life, and soon, more and more people came to hear the wonderful tales Pura had brought with her from Puerto Rico. She began writing down her stories and Pérez y Martina became a book.
This is a beautifully written book about a woman who made such a difference to the children of New York as she told her stories, visiting not only different library branches, but also churches, classrooms, and community centers "planting her story seed in the hearts and minds of children new to this island who wish to remember la lengua y los colores of home."
The idea of planting stories is consistently carried throughout Anika Aldamuy Denise's lyrical text and Paola Escobar's brightly colored folk art style illustrations, with flowers floating over the each of the pages. Scattered throughout the book are Spanish words and phrases, all of which are easy to understand even if you don't speak Spanish. And although this is a biography of Pura Belpré, there is an important subtext at work at well. That subtext reminds us that we don't have to leave our culture behind when we settle in another country, but that we can plant what we bring with us and it will once again thrive.
Back matter consists of an Author's Note (be sure to read that), a Selected Bibliography, the location of the Archival Collections for both Pura and her husband, musician Clarence Cameron White, Articles and Films, suggestions for Further Reading, and the Stories by Pura Belpré Mentioned in This Book.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
Pura Belpré first arrived in New York in 1921, leaving her native Puerto Rico for what she thought would be a to visit to celebrate her sister's wedding, but she decided to stay. Her first job was in the garment factory, but she left that to work in the library.
When Pura came to NY, she brought all the stories her abuela taught her, stories that she loved so much from her homeland. At the library, she discovered there were no stories from Puerto Rico, and decided it was time to change that.
Pretty soon, Pura was telling her stories to the kids visiting the library, stories about Martina, the beautiful cockroach and Pérez, a gallant mouse.
Later, she made puppets for help bring her stories to life, and soon, more and more people came to hear the wonderful tales Pura had brought with her from Puerto Rico. She began writing down her stories and Pérez y Martina became a book.
This is a beautifully written book about a woman who made such a difference to the children of New York as she told her stories, visiting not only different library branches, but also churches, classrooms, and community centers "planting her story seed in the hearts and minds of children new to this island who wish to remember la lengua y los colores of home."
The idea of planting stories is consistently carried throughout Anika Aldamuy Denise's lyrical text and Paola Escobar's brightly colored folk art style illustrations, with flowers floating over the each of the pages. Scattered throughout the book are Spanish words and phrases, all of which are easy to understand even if you don't speak Spanish. And although this is a biography of Pura Belpré, there is an important subtext at work at well. That subtext reminds us that we don't have to leave our culture behind when we settle in another country, but that we can plant what we bring with us and it will once again thrive.
Back matter consists of an Author's Note (be sure to read that), a Selected Bibliography, the location of the Archival Collections for both Pura and her husband, musician Clarence Cameron White, Articles and Films, suggestions for Further Reading, and the Stories by Pura Belpré Mentioned in This Book.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
Displaying 1 - 30 of 691 reviews