2020-2021 Madrina Musa
Anika Aldamuy Denise
Anika Aldamuy Denise writes stories that tickle her funny bone, tug her heartstrings, feed her curiosity, and celebrate her bicultural Puerto Rican-American heritage.
Her picture book biography, Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, illustrated by Paola Escobar, received a 2020 Pura Belpré Author Honor, an NCTE 2020 Orbis Pictus Honor for Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction, and was named one of the Best Children’s Books of 2019 by Smithsonian Magazine, School Library Journal, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, and the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature. The Spanish edition, Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos, received the Bank Street College of Education Best Spanish Language Picture Book Silver Medal and is on the 2020-2021 Tejas Star Reading List. Her forthcoming nonfiction title, A Girl Named Rosita: Rita Moreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer!, illustrated by Leo Espinosa, will be released on November 3, 2020. A native of Queens, New York, Anika now lives in Rhode Island with her husband and three daughters. Visit her at: https://www.anikadenise.com/ |
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A GIRL NAMED ROSITA...
Pura Belpré Honor winner Anika Aldamuy Denise (Planting Stories) and New York Times bestselling illustrator Leo Espinosa (Islandborn) tell the story of Rita Moreno, the Puerto Rican superstar best known for her Oscar-winning performance in the original West Side Story film, in this gorgeous picture book biography.
When young Rosita moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, she didn’t know what to expect—but she knew she loved to sing and dance. Working to overcome the language barrier and bullying she experienced in a strange new country, Rita eventually made her way to Hollywood with a dream to be a star. There, she fought to be seen and heard and eventually reached the pinnacle of success, landing her iconic role in West Side Story and, finally, winning her groundbreaking Oscar.
Brought to life by Leo Espinosa’s bold and vibrant illustrations and Anika Aldamuy Denise’s lyrical text, this gorgeous tribute to the life and career of the first Latinx person to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award will inspire little dreamers everywhere. *A Spanish-language edition is also available.*
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Pura Belpré Honor winner Anika Aldamuy Denise (Planting Stories) and New York Times bestselling illustrator Leo Espinosa (Islandborn) tell the story of Rita Moreno, the Puerto Rican superstar best known for her Oscar-winning performance in the original West Side Story film, in this gorgeous picture book biography.
When young Rosita moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, she didn’t know what to expect—but she knew she loved to sing and dance. Working to overcome the language barrier and bullying she experienced in a strange new country, Rita eventually made her way to Hollywood with a dream to be a star. There, she fought to be seen and heard and eventually reached the pinnacle of success, landing her iconic role in West Side Story and, finally, winning her groundbreaking Oscar.
Brought to life by Leo Espinosa’s bold and vibrant illustrations and Anika Aldamuy Denise’s lyrical text, this gorgeous tribute to the life and career of the first Latinx person to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award will inspire little dreamers everywhere. *A Spanish-language edition is also available.*
ADD TO GOODREADS
ORDER HERE