El Barrio, New York (UCTP Taino News) – PRdream/MediaNoche will host a marathon reading of the short stories of Pura Belpré from 2-4pm on Saturday, June 26, 2010 in East Harlem, New York. Born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, Belpré was a community activist as well as a talented author and storyteller who wrote and re-interpreted Puerto Rican folk tales. As the first Puerto Rican and Latina librarian in the New York Public Library system she pioneered the library's work with the Puerto Rican community. In the late 1920s, Belpré wrote her first folk tale using a story she had heard as a child from her grandmother in Puerto Rico. This story, Pérez and Martina, a love story between a cockroach and a mouse, became the first Puerto Rican tale to be shared with children at a story hour in the public library.
Pura Belpré died on July 1, 1982 leaving a rich literary legacy. Several of her books, long out-of- print, have been re-issued, giving a new generation of children the opportunity to enjoy them.
Readers of diverse backgrounds will take part in the marathon tribute including members of Taino Iukaieke Guainia who will read selected Taino stories compiled by Belpre.
PRdream/MediaNoche is located at 1355 Park Avenue with the entrance on 102nd Street.
UCTPTN 06.20.2010
