Grandma's Gift

Grandma's Gift

Written and Illustrated by: Eric Velasquez

Elementary Grades

**2011 Pura Belpre Award Winner**

"This companion to Grandma's Records (Walker, 2001) is another memoir of Velasquez's boyhood visits with his grandmother in Spanish Harlem. This time it is Christmas. After helping to shop for ingredients and make her famous pasteles, Eric and his grandmother venture from El Barrio to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The boy has a school assignment to complete and together they discover the work of Diego Velázquez, including the famous portrait of Juan de Pareja. The woman nurtures the boy's fascination with painting by giving him art supplies for Christmas. This beautifully illustrated slice-of-life is sprinkled with Spanish phrases (all translated into English) and rich details about Puerto Rican traditions and culture. Velasquez's full-bleed paintings transport readers to another time and place and expertly capture the characters' personalities and emotions."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.bloomsburykids.com/books/catalog/grandmas_gift_hc_825

Grandma's Records

Grandma's Records

Written and Illustrated by: Eric Velasquez

Elementary Grades

"Every summer, Eric goes to live with his grandmother in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem) while his parents work. Through the long hot days, Grandma fills her apartment with the blaring horns and conga drums of Bomba y Plena, salsa, and merengue-the music she grew up with in Puerto Rico-sharing her memories and passions with Eric.

But Eric sees Grandma in a new light when she gets them tickets to hear their favorite band in concert. The music sounds so different than it does at home on their scratchy records. And then the lead singer serenades Grandma right in front of the whole audience!

Join Eric Velasquez on a magical journey through time and across cultures, as a young boy's passion for music and art is forged by a powerful bond between generations."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.ericvelasquez.com/books/grandmasrecords.html

Salsa Stories

Salsa Stories

Written by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades

"This compilation of stories provides excellent insight into a variety of Latin American cultures and traditions. Characters come from places as diverse as Argentina, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Peru, and Mexico in this entertaining reverie of family traditions and the good old days."

Críticas Starred Review

Online Resources:
http://www.luludelacre.com/

Shake It, Morena! and Other Folklore from Puerto Rico

Shake It, Morena! and Other Folklore from Puerto Rico

Compiled by: Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Illustrated by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades

"The Puerto Rican culture is celebrated in this exuberant collection of songs, riddles, stories and games. Beginning with a "Waking Up Song" and continuing through to the "Tooth Fairy Rhyme" (The Tooth Fairy is a mouse in Puerto Rico), the reader is treated to a day of vigorous activities. Most of the text is written in both English and Spanish. Definitions of many Spanish expressions and factual information about Puerto Rico are incorporated throughout."

Children's Literature Review

Online Resources:
http://www.carmenberniergrand.com/

When I Was Puerto Rican

When I Was Puerto Rican

Written by: Esmerelda Santiago

Junior High and High School Grades

Available in English and Spanish

"Esmerelda and her seven siblings live in a corrugated metal shack in Puerto Rico. She is uprooted as a result of poverty and her parents' quarreling and suffers blows to her ego from their expectations of her. The girl goes to New York, where her grandmother lives, and must rely on her intelligence and talents to help her survive in an alien world in which being Puerto Rican is not advantageous. Her story rings true and will be an inspiration to YAs forced to make their own way in a sometimes hostile environment."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/puerto/

The Storyteller's Candle

The Storyteller's Candle

Written by: Lucia Gonzalez
Illustrated by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades

"The winter of 1929 feels especially cold to cousins Hildamar and Santiago—they arrived in New York City from sunny Puerto Rico only months before. Their island home feels very far away indeed, especially with Three Kings’ Day rapidly approaching.

But then a magical thing happened. A visitor appears in their class, a gifted storyteller and librarian by the name of Pura Belpré. She opens the children’s eyes to the public library and its potential to be the living, breathing heart of the community. The library, after all, belongs to everyone—whether you speak Spanish, English, or both.

Award-winners Lucía González and Lulu Delacre have crafted an affecting homage to Pura Belpré, New York City’s first Latina librarian. Through her vision and dedication, the warmth of Puerto Rico came to the island of Manhattan in a most unexpected way."

Children's Book Press