“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

Follow la vida y el legado of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.

When she came to America in 1921, Pura carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy.

This portrait of the influential librarian, author, and puppeteer reminds us of the power of storytelling and the extraordinary woman who opened doors and championed bilingual literature.