To celebrate the life of Pura Belpre, who in 1929 became New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian; Making Books Sing will present a free, special bilingual performance of THE STORYTELLER’S CANDLE at the Fort Washington Library (535 W. 179th St., between St. Nicholas & Audubon Aves) Thursday, May 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Pura Belpre was a children’s librarian, storyteller, and author who enriched the lives of Puerto Rican children in the United States through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore. In 1996, the American Library Association honored her by creating the Pura Belpre Award, given annually to Latino/Latina authors of children’s books.
The Making Books Sing production incorporates storytelling, music and puppetry performed by a skilled bilingual storyteller in character as Belpre, teaching audiences about the library’s important role in the community. Based on the bilingual illustrated book “The Storyteller’s Candle / La velita de los cuentos” (Children’s Book Press) by Lucia Gonzalez and Lulu Delacre, the theatrical adaptation was written by Barbara Zinn Krieger, Artistic Director and Founder of Making Books Sing, and directed by Elena Araoz. “She is a role model to children and adults of all nationalities who believe in the power of literacy to change lives, and the important role the library plays in life long learning,” says Krieger.
Making Books Sing promotes children’s literacy and social development through arts-in-education programs and professional theatre productions. Originally the family theatre and education program of the Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre, Making Books Sing is now an independent nonprofit that inspires children to grow as literate, creative and socially aware individuals.
THE STORYTELLER’S CANDLE debuted in September 2010 with performances at branches of the New York, Queens and Brooklyn Public libraries, El Museo Del Barrio and many schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
For more info: http://www.makingbookssing.org/
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