Lucia Gonzalez and Lulu Delacre, author and illustrator of The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos, celebrate the remarkable efforts of New York City's first Latina librarian, Pura Belpre, in her native Puerto Rico.
On December 13 and 14, the award-winning author and artist will perform lively readings of The Storyteller's Candle -- the first children's book about the renowned librarian and storyteller. The bilingual picture book offers a heartwarming tale of how Pura Belpre inspired Puerto Rican immigrants living in New York City during the Great Depression to discover the public library and its potential to be the living, breathing heart of their community.
As the first Puerto Rican librarian to be hired by the New York Public Library System in 1921, Pura Belpre actively advocated for the Spanish-speaking community by instituting bilingual story hours, buying Spanish language books, and implementing programs based on traditional holidays. Over the course of her long career, she inspired generations of young people through her imaginative storytelling and puppetry.
Join Lucia Gonzalez and Lulu Delacre as they read The Storyteller's Candle at the following venues:
Saturday, December 13, 2008
11:00 am: Castlebooks, San Patricio Shopping 2 level, Suite 12, Guaynabo, PR 00968, tel. 787-774-1790
2:00 pm: Borders, Plaza las Americas, 525 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918, tel. 787-777-0916
Sunday, December 14, 2008
3:00 pm: Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, Avenida De Diego 299, Santurce, Puerto Rico 00910, tel.: 787-977-6277
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
LUCIA GONZALEZ was born in Cuba. She is a children's librarian, bilingual storyteller, puppeteer and author. A recipient of the Pura Belpre Honor Medal, Lucia lives in Miami, Florida, with her family, friends, and cats.
LULU DELACRE was born in Puerto Rico. She has written and illustrated many award-winning books for children. A common thread in her work is the celebration of her Latino heritage. Lulu lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.
ABOUT CHILDREN'S BOOK PRESS
CHILDREN'S BOOK PRESS is a nonprofit publishing house founded in 1975 that promotes cooperation and understanding through multicultural and bilingual literature, offering children a sense of their culture, history, and importance. Visit us online at http://www.childrensbookpress.org.
Contact: Christina Troup
Publicity Coordinator
ctroup@childrensbookpress.org
(866) 935-2665 ext. 13
SOURCE Children's Book Press
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