The Belpré Medal was first awarded in 1996. Between 1996 and 2008, Belpré Medals for Narrative and Illustration were presented every other year. Beginning in 2009, the Belpré Medals have been awarded annually.
Named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina Children's Librarian at the New York Public Library, the award is presented to a Latino/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.
The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina author and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth.
The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library. As a children's librarian, storyteller, and author, she enriched the lives of Latino children through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.
For more information about the Belpré Medal, including a list of all the Belpré Winners and Honor Books, please visit the Belpré Medal website.
