Not all wonderful books win awards and not all award-winning books will reach you the way they do others, but the Caldecott, Pura Belpre, and Newbery awards and honors pretty consistently select beautiful, moving, and heart-warming stories.
The annual Pura Belpre award is named after Pura Belpre, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. It honors a Latino/a author and illustrator “whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.” (There’s also a lovely picture book about her.). The annual Caldecott Medal honors artists of “the most distinguished American picture book for children.” And the Newberys honor the author “of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.”
I’ve put together a non-exhaustive list of some of the many books honored by these awards that are available in Spanish.
Alma y como obtuvo su nombre
A 2019 Caldecott Honor Book recounting the history behind Alma’s name. It’s sweet and is a lovely way to spark conversations about a child’s name(s).
Sonadores
A 2019Pura Belpre Award winner about an immigrant mother and her son who found their voices through the books.
Lola
A 2019 Pura Belpre Honor Bookthat I’ve posted about before (although recent allegations about the author give me a lot of pause in recommending this book).
A 2018 Pura Belpre Award winner about Frida Kahlo and the many animals she loved and cared for. The art in this book is also quite beautiful and unique.
Ultima parada en la Calle Market
A 2016 Newbery Medalist, 2016 Caldecott Honor Book (and 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) following a little boy and his grandmother as they ride the bus. This is one of those books that I had to pause while reading because of the giant knot in my throat–much like Esos Zapatos, it is just very moving.
Viva Frida
A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book and 2015 Pura Belpre Award winner with really unique illustrations celebrating the life of Frida Kahlo. It’s very lyrical and the story is more in the images than in the text, so it might not be for everyone, but it’s very visually appealing.
Gracias/Thanks
A 2010 Pura Belpre Award winner about a young boy biracial talks (poetically!) about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful.
Los remedios de mi Tata
A 2016 Pura Belpre Honor Book about how a grandfather heals and cares for others using his wisdom and medicinal herbs.
Esperando
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book by Kevin Henkes (who has a lovely series of books) about five toys who sit by a window and wait for something to happen.
Duerme como un tigre
A 2013 Caldecott Honor Book about a child who doesn’t want to sleep. Like a lot of the other winners, the illustrations are unlike any others I’ve seen before and the story has a sweet, satisfying arc.
A 2011 Caldecott Honor Book (that my kids find hilarious) about a little chicken who keeps interrupting her father’s bedtime stories.
El Conejito Knuffle: Un Cuento Aleccionador
A 2005 Caldecott Honor Book about a little kid who loses her treasured Knuffle buddy in the wash.
A 1976 Caldecott Medal Winner tells an African folktale about a mosquito causing problems for all of the larger animals.
What others would you recommend?
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