Anika Denise

"Planting Stories" is the biography of Pura Belpré, a Puerto Rican woman who moved to New York City in 1921 seeking opportunity. She was hired as a bilingual assistant at a branch of the New York Public Library and began telling Puerto Rican folktales to children. She made puppets to accompany her stories and began traveling to libraries throughout the city, putting on shows. Eventually, Belpré published her stories so that they could appear on the shelves in the library.
I really loved show more this book. Anika Aldamuy Denise does an excellent job of telling Belpré's story. I appreciate that fragments of the story are written in Spanish. Paola Escobar's illustrations are beautiful and enthralling. I had never heard of Pura Belpré before reading this book and I am very glad to have learned her story. I would highly recommend this book to first through fourth grade teachers. show less

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 show more (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. show less

"Pura's words paint a picture
of a little house with a round balcony,
where Martina, a beautiful Spanish cockroach,
meets Perez..."

This is the story of a storyteller and an educator, Pura Belpre and the many gifts that she brought from Puerto Rico to grow interested minds in a new place. In the pages Paola Escobar's confident style makes her joy at teaching and learning apparent. Children and animals delight in her descriptions and fun. Storytelling at the library becomes a ritual. Pura lights show more a candle when she begins and when she finishes each child makes a wish on the candle and then the story is finished.

I love the idea of the practice. The story is over, the energy shifts, but there is a familiar visual cue to help listeners transition. The words and the illustrations have a light touch and move you through the ups and downs such as the death of her spouse. A very enjoyable read! For older classes it could also illustrate the ways in which Belpre made an incredible difference in her field with a unique set of experiences only she could bring. show less

Feisty Carmen is a bit of a drama queen, and always wants to be the star of the show. A creative young girl who enjoys putting on productions for her family in which she writes, directs, designs the costumes, and stars in the show, it takes her a while to realize that collaborating with her adoring younger brother Eduardo might be fun. But once she does... the results are fabulous!

An entertaining and ultimately heartwarming family story by author Anika Denise is paired with colorful, show more appealing artwork by illustrator Lorena Alvarez Gómez in Starring Carmen!. This was a solid three stars for me, but I added an extra half star because I enjoyed the artwork so much. Alvarez Gómez' palette is vivid, her figures humorous and endearing, and I appreciated the fact that the family depicted are biracial, but that this is not the focus of either story or illustration. The visuals here reminded me a bit of the work of Brigitte Barrager, who has illustrated such books as Uni the Unicorn. Recommended to anyone looking for fun new picture-books about feisty girls, and how they fit into their families. show less