CV,  Awards,  Literary Awards,  Pura Belpré Award

The Pura Belpré Award  honors Latino writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in a children's book.  Alma Flor Ada was named the winner of the Belpré Author Award for Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba,  published by Atheneum Books.

 In a heartwarming and loving portrayal of her childhood days in Cuba, Ada describes her deep friendship with a beloved dance teacher in Under the Royal Palms.  Readers meet relatives and share the tragedy of the loss of Ada's beloved uncle.  Photographs enhance the diary-like portrayal of Ada's early years.

Where the Flame Trees Bloom,  encourages children to discover the stories in their own lives and to celebrate the joys and struggles we all share no matter where or when we grew up," said Yolanda Bonitch, chair of the Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee.

Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Ada is professor of multicultural education at the University of San Francisco.  She is a renowned author, translator, scholar, educator, storyteller and advocate for bilingual and multicultural education.  Ada received a bachelor's degree from Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain and a master's degree and doctorate from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru.

The award was announced January 17, 2000 during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio.  The award is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA, and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking.