Anika Denise

Anika Aldamuy Denise is the author of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré; Starring Carmen!; Lights, Camera, Carmen!; and many other celebrated books for young readers. Her stories are often about family and reflect her bicultural heritage and upbringing. In her nonfiction work, Anika strives to illuminate the important contributions of influential Latinas, so that readers of all backgrounds, but especially those in the Latinx community, are inspired to dare greatly and share their gifts with the world. Her forthcoming nonfiction project is Rosita Rising, a picture book biography of legendary Puerto Rican actress and singer Rita Moreno, illustrated by Leo Espinosa. Other new titles coming soon include Bunny in the Middle, illustrated by Christopher Denise, and The Love Letter illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Anika grew up in Queens and now lives with her husband and three daughters in Rhode Island.

MFOB FEATURED BOOK: Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

An inspiring multicultural picture book biography of storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, who championed bilingual literature.

When she came to America in 1921, Pura Belpré 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.

Brought to colorful life by Paola Escobar’s elegant and exuberant illustrations and Anika Aldamuy Denise’s lyrical text, this gorgeous book is perfect for the pioneers in your life.

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