The New York Times Book Review - Candace Fleming
…beautifully captures the life and essence of Pura Belpré…Anika Aldamuy Denise's intimate telling captures the magical, folk-tale feeling of Belpré's own stories. Her lyrical text, sprinkled like fairy dust with Spanish words, begs to be read aloud, while Paola Escobar's stylishly detailed and warmly expressive illustrations capture the joy of sharing stories. But this biography, like all good biographies, does not simply chronicle a life. Beneath all the fun is a valuable message.
Publishers Weekly
10/15/2018
Readers may know Pura Belpré as the name of an award given to books about the Latin American cultural experience. But who was Belpré herself? Denise (Starring Carmen!) celebrates the first Latina New York City librarian, born in 1899, who seeds the folktales of her native Puerto Rico in her new home. As a library assistant, Belpré makes puppets to enhance her storytelling performances, which introduce the elegant cockroach Martina, the dashing mouse Pérez, and other beloved characters from Puerto Rican folklore, then goes on to publish the tales for wider distribution. Colombian illustrator Escobar represents the biography’s central image of “planting” story seeds in detailed, retro-style spreads with flowers that float around Belpre as she weaves her tales (“Her eyes dance! Her voice sings!”). Sepia tones contribute a feeling of age and a sense of warmth. Denise plants an idea of her own—that telling stories is a crucial activity for keeping culture alive. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian…a must-have for all libraries.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Anika Aldamuy Denise’s intimate telling captures the magical, folk-tale feeling of Belpré’s own stories. Her lyrical text, sprinkled like fairy dust with Spanish words, begs to be read aloud, while Paola Escobar’s stylishly detailed and warmly expressive illustrations capture the joy of sharing stories.” — New York Times Book Review
“Denise and Escobar pay tribute to the legacy of librarian Pura Belpré in this vibrant picture-book biography…Planting Stories is a glossy immigration tale of dreams coming true, and the lyrical language lends itself to being read aloud.” — ALA Booklist
“Belpré’s story is told in rhythmic language with a good dose of Spanish sprinkled throughout. Escobar’s vibrant illustrations are filled with details that help bring to life the story of this remarkable librarian.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Denise plants an idea of her own—that telling stories is a crucial activity for keeping culture alive.” — Publishers Weekly
“Denise’s descriptive language moves between English and Spanish seamlessly, without italics used or translations needed, and portrays a lively Pura…Expressive digital illustrations in earthy colors portray warm and radiant characters.” — The Horn Book
“[A] delightfully informative title.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“The story is beautiful to look at and to read, and it showcases one of the first people to recognize the need for young readers to have books that reflected who they are.” — NBCNews.com
“This excellent read-aloud, with its informative author’s note and bibliographic resources… will likely inspire young readers to create their own tales to share with others.” — Shelf Awareness
“Pura Belpré led a rich life filled with travel, music, and countless stories. Her own inspiring story is beautifully presented in this perfect picture book…. The influence of her work is still felt today, and Planting Stories is a worthy tribute.” — Shelf Awareness
“The arc of Belpré’s life and legacy is shown in a way that recalls the emotionally gripping opening sequence from the movie Up as words and pictures combine powerfully to convey the impact of Belpré’s work.” — BookPage
“A reverent tribute to a groundbreaking librarian.” — Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
“A lively narrative perfect for reading aloud.” — Cooperative Children’s Book Center
“This lush and colorful book celebrates Belpré’s life and legacy, and encourages young storytellers to keep sharing their tales with the world.” — A Mighty Girl
“Based on a true story, Planting Stories is both inspirational and a solid nod to follow your dreams.” — Reading Eagle
“With merry digital illustrations, this enchanting biography renders Belpré’s books as mirrors for Puerto Rican kids and as windows into her culture for everyone else.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“This darling picture book will inspire and delight.” — Hispanic Living
A perfect book to share with a kid who loves a good trip to the library. — Book Riot
NBCNews.com
The story is beautiful to look at and to read, and it showcases one of the first people to recognize the need for young readers to have books that reflected who they are.
Shelf Awareness
Pura Belpré led a rich life filled with travel, music, and countless stories. Her own inspiring story is beautifully presented in this perfect picture book…. The influence of her work is still felt today, and Planting Stories is a worthy tribute.
New York Times Book Review
Anika Aldamuy Denise’s intimate telling captures the magical, folk-tale feeling of Belpré’s own stories. Her lyrical text, sprinkled like fairy dust with Spanish words, begs to be read aloud, while Paola Escobar’s stylishly detailed and warmly expressive illustrations capture the joy of sharing stories.
ALA Booklist
Denise and Escobar pay tribute to the legacy of librarian Pura Belpré in this vibrant picture-book biography…Planting Stories is a glossy immigration tale of dreams coming true, and the lyrical language lends itself to being read aloud.
The Horn Book
Denise’s descriptive language moves between English and Spanish seamlessly, without italics used or translations needed, and portrays a lively Pura…Expressive digital illustrations in earthy colors portray warm and radiant characters.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
[A] delightfully informative title.
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
A reverent tribute to a groundbreaking librarian.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center
A lively narrative perfect for reading aloud.
Hispanic Living
This darling picture book will inspire and delight.
Reading Eagle
Based on a true story, Planting Stories is both inspirational and a solid nod to follow your dreams.
San Francisco Chronicle
With merry digital illustrations, this enchanting biography renders Belpré’s books as mirrors for Puerto Rican kids and as windows into her culture for everyone else.
BookPage
The arc of Belpré’s life and legacy is shown in a way that recalls the emotionally gripping opening sequence from the movie Up as words and pictures combine powerfully to convey the impact of Belpré’s work.
A Mighty Girl
This lush and colorful book celebrates Belpré’s life and legacy, and encourages young storytellers to keep sharing their tales with the world.
San Francisco Chronicle
With merry digital illustrations, this enchanting biography renders Belpré’s books as mirrors for Puerto Rican kids and as windows into her culture for everyone else.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
[A] delightfully informative title.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
[A] delightfully informative title.
Cooperative Children's Book Center
A lively narrative perfect for reading aloud.
Booklist
Denise and Escobar pay tribute to the legacy of librarian Pura Belpré in this vibrant picture-book biography…Planting Stories is a glossy immigration tale of dreams coming true, and the lyrical language lends itself to being read aloud.
School Library Journal
★ 12/01/2018
K-Gr 3—A picture book biography of one of the most significant and inspiring figures in library history. Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City, initially arrived in Manhattan to attend her sister's wedding. Intrigued perhaps by the "hustle and bustle" of this "new island," she decided to stay, finding temporary work as a seamstress. Belpré truly found her calling when she took a position as a bilingual assistant (the text notes that was she was, in fact, trilingual) at a neighborhood library, and went on to transform library services through culturally diverse storytelling, published books, and targeted outreach. Denise sprinkles her lyrical verse with Spanish, and emphasizes Belpré's love of stories, plucking the title of the book from her desire "to be like Johnny Appleseed...plant my story seeds across the land." Escobar's warm illustrations enliven the subject and carry the motif by depicting Belpré in impeccably stylish outfits and accessories detailed with floral patterns. Because of the composition style, readers are given only brief depictions of significant moments in Belpré's personal and professional life, but Denise provides a detailed author's note, summarizing Belpré's lasting impact, and includes a great amount of back matter. VERDICT An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian. This book pairs nicely with Lucia Gonzalez's The Storyteller's Candle, and is a must-have for all libraries.—Jessica Agudelo, New York Public Library
Kirkus Reviews
2018-10-15
A warm introduction to Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in the New York Public Library.
In 1921, Belpré left her island home of Puerto Rico for New York City. There, she started work as a bilingual assistant in the public library. But where were the stories of her native land? "How lucky for the library that Pura has story seeds ready to plant and grow." Eventually, not only did Belpré hold a popular bilingual story program, but also, finding there were no books available for children in Spanish, she wrote them. Traveling "from branch to branch, classroom to classroom, to churches and community centers," Belpré planted "her story seeds in the hearts and minds of children new to this island who wish to remember la lengua y los colores of home." Belpré's story is told in rhythmic language with a good dose of (unitalicized) Spanish sprinkled throughout. Escobar's vibrant illustrations are filled with details that help bring to life the story of this remarkable librarian. Belpré is portrayed with light brown skin. A closing note explains that today, the American Library Association honors her by presenting an annual award that bears her name to a Latinx writer and illustrator whose works celebrate the Latino cultural experience. Read together with The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos, by Lucía González and illustrated by Lulu Delacre (2008).
In Belpré, children will find an affirmation of the importance of seeing their own culture in books. (bibliography, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 4-9)
