Mock Pura Belpré

Oregon Mock Pura Belpré Book Nominations Needed

REFORMA’s beloved annual Mock Pura Belpré Award program is making a comeback in Oregon this year after a 3-year break! Please join in the fun by sending book nominations by Sunday, August 27. Stay tuned for more information and an invitation to join the program this fall.

Book nominations should have a publication date anytime between summer of 2022 and now. Here is the form to submit nominations. Please share widely!

What is the Pura Belpré Award?
Established in 1996, it is presented each year to a Latine writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), divisions of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking ( REFORMA), an ALA affiliate. The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. As a children's librarian, storyteller, and author, she enriched the lives of Puerto Rican children in the U.S. through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.

Mock award book nomination criteria
Terms:

• Two medals should be awarded: one to a Latinx author of an outstanding children’s book, and one to a Latinx illustrator for creating an outstanding children’s picture book.
• These must be an original work that portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latinx cultural experience.
• The books must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico.
• Recipients of the award must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico.
• The books which are eligible should be published in Spanish, English or in bilingual formats.

Definitions:

• Author: creator of the text of a book (fiction, non-fiction, and poetry)
• Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including 14.
• A picture book has a collective unity of story line, theme or concept, developed through a series
• of pictures of which the book is comprised.
• Outstanding is defined as:
  • Marked by eminence and distinction; noted for significant achievement.
  • Marked by excellent in quality.
  • Marked by conspicuous excellence or eminence
  • Individually distinct

​Criteria for text:

• Interpretation of the theme or concept
• Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization
• Development of a plot
• Delineation of characters
• Delineation of setting
• Appropriateness of style
• Particular attentions will be paid to cultural authenticity.

 
Criteria for illustrations:

• Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed
• Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, them, or concept
• Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, them or concept
• Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting mood or information through the pictures
• Positive an authentic portrayal of Latinx culture
• Excellence or presentation for an intended child audience

​To see a list of past winners, click here. 

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Author

Brandace Rojo (she/ella)
Communications & Partnership Manager
REFORMA Oregon President
reformaoregon@olaweb.org