Planting Stories

Starred review from December 1, 2018

K-Gr 3-A picture book biography of one of the most significant and inspiring figures in library history. Pura Belpr�, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City, initially arrived in Manhattan to attend her sister's wedding. Intrigued perhaps by the "hustle and bustle" of this "new island," she decided to stay, finding temporary work as a seamstress. Belpr� truly found her calling when she took a position as a bilingual assistant (the text notes that was she was, in fact, trilingual) at a neighborhood library, and went on to transform library services through culturally diverse storytelling, published books, and targeted outreach. Denise sprinkles her lyrical verse with Spanish, and emphasizes Belpr�'s love of stories, plucking the title of the book from her desire "to be like Johnny Appleseed...plant my story seeds across the land." Escobar's warm illustrations enliven the subject and carry the motif by depicting Belpr� in impeccably stylish outfits and accessories detailed with floral patterns. Because of the composition style, readers are given only brief depictions of significant moments in Belpr�'s personal and professional life, but Denise provides a detailed author's note, summarizing Belpr�'s lasting impact, and includes a great amount of back matter. VERDICT An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian. This book pairs nicely with Lucia Gonzalez's The Storyteller's Candle, and is a must-have for all libraries.-Jessica Agudelo, New York Public Library

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2018
A warm introduction to Pura Belpr�, the first Puerto Rican librarian in the New York Public Library.In 1921, Belpr� left her island home of Puerto Rico for New York City. There, she started work as a bilingual assistant in the public library. But where were the stories of her native land? "How lucky for the library that Pura has story seeds ready to plant and grow." Eventually, not only did Belpr� hold a popular bilingual story program, but also, finding there were no books available for children in Spanish, she wrote them. Traveling "from branch to branch, classroom to classroom, to churches and community centers," Belpr� planted "her story seeds in the hearts and minds of children new to this island who wish to remember la lengua y los colores of home." Belpr�'s story is told in rhythmic language with a good dose of (unitalicized) Spanish sprinkled throughout. Escobar's vibrant illustrations are filled with details that help bring to life the story of this remarkable librarian. Belpr� is portrayed with light brown skin. A closing note explains that today, the American Library Association honors her by presenting an annual award that bears her name to a Latinx writer and illustrator whose works celebrate the Latino cultural experience. Read together with The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos, by Luc�a Gonz�lez and illustrated by Lulu Delacre (2008).In Belpr�, children will find an affirmation of the importance of seeing their own culture in books. (bibliography, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 4-9)

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November 15, 2018
Grades K-3 Denise and Escobar pay tribute to the legacy of librarian Pura Belpr� in this vibrant picture-book biography. Adults familiar with Belpr�'s story will immediately compare this book to The Storyteller's Candle (2008), by Luc�a Gonz�lez, but this version adds a contemporary feel through the brilliantly detailed, brightly colored, whimsical illustrations and smoothly integrated linguistic code-switching. Here readers watch as Pura arrives in New York in 1921, just for a visit, filled with the stories her abuela told her in Puerto Rico. She stays, however, and finds work as a seamstress but yearns to do something else. As luck would have it, her chance comes when the public library needs a bilingual assistant. Thus begins Pura Belpr�'s career as the storyteller with puppets and a candle, around whose feet children sat listening to stories of Puerto Rico, including ones Pura writes herself. Planting Stories is a glossy immigration tale of dreams coming true, and the lyrical language lends itself to being read aloud.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

October 15, 2018
Readers may know Pura Belpré as the name of an award given to books about the Latin American cultural experience. But who was Belpré herself? Denise (Starring Carmen!) celebrates the first Latina New York City librarian, born in 1899, who seeds the folktales of her native Puerto Rico in her new home. As
a library assistant, Belpré makes puppets to enhance her storytelling performances, which introduce the elegant cockroach Martina, the dashing mouse Pérez, and other beloved characters from Puerto Rican folklore, then goes on to publish the tales for wider distribution. Colombian illustrator Escobar represents the biography’s central image of “planting” story seeds in detailed, retro-style spreads with flowers that float around Belpre as she weaves her tales (“Her eyes dance! Her voice sings!”). Sepia tones contribute a feeling of age and a sense of warmth. Denise plants an idea of her own—that telling stories is a crucial activity for keeping culture alive. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management.

July 1, 2019
As a bilingual assistant at Nueva York's public library in 1921, Pura Belpri retells the folk stories of her native Puerto Rico at storytimes and eventually writes them down for publication. Descriptive language moves between English and Spanish seamlessly. Both text and expressive, warm illustrations carry the metaphor of planting seeds, so that readers see the seeds of Belpri's stories bloom as the biographical details unfold. Also available in Spanish. Reading list. Bib.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2019
In her native Puerto Rico, a young Pura Belpr� retells folk stories to children under a tamarind tree; when she visits Nueva York in 1921 and decides to stay, obtaining work at the public library as a bilingual assistant, she carries her homeland's tales with her. When she can't find on bookshelves the stories she knows and loves, she plants them like seeds by telling them at storytimes, making her own puppets to act them out, and eventually writing them down for publication. Denise's descriptive language moves between English and Spanish seamlessly, without italics used or translations needed, and portrays a lively Pura: Her eyes dance! / Her voice sings! The text contains questions to advance the story line: But the library needs libros for its shelves. How can more children read P�rez y Martina and other cuentos de Puerto Rico? The metaphor of planting and growing seeds is carried throughout in both text and illustrations, so that as the biographical details unfold, readers see the seeds of Belpr�'s stories take root, grow, and bloom. Expressive digital illustrations in earthy colors portray warm and radiant characters. An author's note provides more information about Pura Belpr� and her legacy, and a double-page spread of back matter includes additional sources. alicia k. long

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)