Honoring Latinx Voices in Children’s Literature 

As we reflect on the Pura Belpré 2024 awards, it’s with great pride and excitement that we congratulate the exceptional writers and illustrators who have been honored this year. These incredible creators are not just telling stories—they are weaving narratives that affirm, portray, and celebrate the vibrant and diverse Latino cultural experience. 🌎✨ 

At the heart of this celebration is the recognition of works that speak to the richness of Latinx heritage and the importance of diverse representation in children’s and young adult literature. For those of us passionate about promoting these voices, it’s truly a moment to celebrate how far Latinx representation has come—and how much further it can go. 

A particularly exciting aspect of this year’s celebration is the fact that every picture book title selected was also on our shortlist—handpicked by K-State Spanish students! 📚🙌 These students brought their perspectives and unique understanding of Latino culture into the selection process, ensuring that the works chosen were not only reflective of Latinx communities but also engaging for readers of all backgrounds. 

We had the pleasure of sharing one of the Pura Belpré-winning books at ¡Cuenta cuentos! bilingual storytime, and the experience was nothing short of magical. It was incredible to see the joy and excitement in the room as children and families connected with these award-winning stories. The books truly came alive in both Spanish and English, reinforcing the power of bilingual storytelling to bridge cultures and create lasting memories. 

A special shoutout to the remarkable storytellers whose works have made this year’s Pura Belpré Awards so impactful: 

🌟 **Best Illustration Winner**: *The Dream Catcher*, illustrated (and written) by Marcelo Verdad  

🌟 **Best Illustration Honorees**: 

- *Abuelo, the Sea, and Me*, illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, written by Ismée Williams 

- *A Maleta Full of Treasures*, illustrated by Juana Medina, written by Natalia Sylvester 

🌟 **Best Children’s Author Winner**: *Lola*, written by Karla Arenas Valenti  

🌟 **Best Children’s Author Honorees**: 

- *Cruzita and the Mariacheros*, written by Ashley Granillo 

- *Ultraviolet*, written by Aida Sálazar 

These books are more than just award winners—they are tools for expanding children’s understanding of the world and empowering young (at heart) readers to see themselves in the stories they consume. 

Looking ahead to 2025 we’re thrilled to announce that the K-State community will once again participate in selecting the next batch of outstanding works for the **2nd Mock Pura Belpré Award**. This exciting initiative will give students, faculty, and the community the chance to vote for their favorite books and continue to celebrate the importance of Latinx representation in literature. 

In addition, we’ll be keeping the spirit of ¡Cuenta cuentos! alive, as we continue our bilingual storytime sessions and accompanying art activities, introducing more incredible stories from talented Latinx authors and illustrators. Every story we share is a chance to build bridges, foster understanding, and inspire the next generation of readers in our community. 

Thank you to the American Library Association and Pura Belpré Award for continuing to elevate Latinx voices and for providing us with the opportunity to participate in such a fun process. We look forward to celebrating these stories and their creators for years to come. 

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