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Pura Belpré Award-Winning and Honor Books

Last updated: February 11, 2026

The Pura Belpré Awards and Honors for Youth Illustrator, Children's Author, and Young Adult Author are awarded each January to the best books from the last year by Latino authors that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. This list includes many of the books awarded and honored since the awards' inception in 1996. For more award-winning reads, check out Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners and Award-Winning Books for Teens.

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Across the Bay Poster Image
BOOK

Across the Bay

age 3+

Emotional but unlikely journey of boy in Old San Juan.

Carlos Aponte Picture Book (2019)
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Book Fiesta! Poster Image
BOOK

Book Fiesta!

age 3+

Beautiful bilingual book may inspire adventures in reading.

Pat Mora Picture Book (2009)
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Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart Poster Image
BOOK

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

age 3+

A giant saves the day in muy magical story.

Pat Mora Folklore (2006)
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Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music Poster Image
BOOK

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

age 3+

Gorgeous, magical story of a girl with music in her heart.

Margarita Engle Picture Book (2015)
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A Maleta Full of Treasures book cover: Abuela and granddaughter sit on pillow and explore the treasures inside her suitcase
BOOK

A Maleta Full of Treasures

age 4+

Heartwarming tale, sweet reunion, love that knows no miles.

Natalia Sylvester Picture Book (2024)
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Bright Star Poster Image
BOOK

Bright Star

age 4+

Beautiful, poignant tale of border life through fawn's eyes.

Yuyi Morales Picture Book (2021)
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Dreamers Poster Image
BOOK

Dreamers

age 4+

Gorgeous, joyous book about immigrant mom and child.

Yuyi Morales Picture Book (2018)
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Gracias/Thanks Poster Image
BOOK

Gracias/Thanks

age 4+

A sweet celebration of the best thing life has to offer.

Pat Mora For Beginning Readers (2009)
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Juan Bobo Goes to Work Poster Image
BOOK

Juan Bobo Goes to Work

age 4+

Bumbling boy delights in Puerto Rican folktale.

Marisa Montes Picture Book (2000)
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My Abuelita Poster Image
BOOK

My Abuelita

age 4+

Robust artwork with a Latino touch celebrates storytelling.

Tony Johnston Picture Book (2009)
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My Papi Has a Motorcycle Poster Image
BOOK

My Papi Has a Motorcycle

age 4+

A thrilling ride celebrates love and Latino culture.

Isabel Quintero Picture Book (2019)
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Niño Wrestles the World Poster Image
BOOK

Niño Wrestles the World

age 4+

Boy plays Mexican wrestler in exuberant bilingual tale.

Yuyi Morales Picture Book (2014)
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Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré Poster Image
BOOK

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

age 4+

Lively bio of New York's first Puerto Rican librarian.

Anika Aldamuy Denise Biography (2019)
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Remembering Book Cover: Frame has photo of child with long brown hair in low ponytail and black dog with Día de Muertos altar
BOOK

Remembering

age 4+

Heartfelt tale of pet loss, remembrance on Day of the Dead.

Xelena González Picture Book (2023)
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Dream Catcher book cover: Little boy with brown skin and black hair stands on a beach holding macrame dream catchers he made
BOOK

The Dream Catcher

age 4+

Boy dreams of buying an airplane in sweet, gentle tale.

Marcelo Verdad Picture Book (2024)
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Viva Frida Poster Image
BOOK

Viva Frida

age 4+

Exuberant portrayal of artist's passion for art.

Yuyi Morales Picture Book (2014)
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When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana Poster Image
BOOK

When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana

age 4+

Vivid picture book traces rock star's humble Mexican roots.

Michael James Mahin Picture Book (2018)
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¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge Poster Image
BOOK

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge: World of ¡Vamos!

age 4+

Colorful tale of crossing border bridge has Spanish vocab.

Raul the Third Picture Book (2021)
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¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat! Poster Image
BOOK

¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat!: World of ¡Vamos!

age 4+

Delectable food truck journey has tons of Spanish vocab.

Raul the Third Picture Book (2020)
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¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market! Poster Image
BOOK

¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market!: World of ¡Vamos!

age 4+

Jam-packed, comics-like tale has tons of Spanish vocabulary.

Raul the Third Picture Book (2019)
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