Barrington author's book wins Pura Belpré Award

Award recognizes Latino or Latina writer and illustrator

By Josh Bickford
Posted 2/28/20

Anika Denise was making dinner when her phone started ringing.

She ignored the buzzing. Probably a telemarketer, she figured. 

But eventually she relented and picked up her phone. She …

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Barrington author's book wins Pura Belpré Award

Award recognizes Latino or Latina writer and illustrator

Posted

Anika Denise was making dinner when her phone started ringing.

She ignored the buzzing. Probably a telemarketer, she figured. 

But eventually she relented and picked up her phone. She answered it, waiting to hear some annoying recording, but instead it was a real voice on the other end. The caller apologized at first and then identified the reason for the call.

"At that point, I just stopped," Ms. Denise said.

The Barrington resident froze upon the realization that her latest book had been nominated for a Pura Belpré Award, which recognizes a Latino or Latina writer and illustrator whose work "best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."

Ms. Denise remained frozen, holding her phone to her ear. Her husband walked over and took the dish from her hand, not wanting to risk a broken plate. 

Then Ms. Denise started crying. 

"That night my husband went out and got some champagne," Ms. Denise said. "I couldn't eat the dinner I just made."

Ms. Denise called her agent and her publisher and shared the news with her family, but she was not allowed to post anything to her site or social media accounts. The next morning, Ms. Denise and her family crowded onto the couch to watch the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards presentation live-streamed on the internet. 

Presenters called out the winners of the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and then reached the Pura Belpré Award. Anika's family cheered with excitement as Ms. Denise's book was announced the winner.

"It was a proud moment with my daughters there," Ms. Denise said. 

"My littlest one, the eight-year-old, well, it was kind of a long broadcast… she's like 'OK, get to it,'" said Ms. Denise. "My older ones, they've been with me from the very beginning when I wondered if I could be published or make a living as an author. They were proud and super happy for me. I'm proud that I can model for young women a job I'm super passionate about."

About the book

Ms. Denise's book, "Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré," was written about the award's namesake. Pura Belpré grew up in Puerto Rico and later moved to New York, later earning praise for her work as a librarian, storyteller, author and library advocate.

"The namesake for this award is an incredible woman," said Ms. Denise, adding that Pura was the first Puerto Rican librarian at the New York Library. Ms. Denise is of Puerto Rican heritage.

"It feels terrific — an honor for so many reasons," Ms. Denise said. "Her name is truly synonymous with Latina literature."

The Pura Belpré Award was established in 1996. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate. 

Ms. Denise said she will receive the award during a special event in late June. Meanwhile, all copies of her book will carry the silver seal announcing the Pura Belpré Award.

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