The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina author and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth. It was established in 1996.^[1] It was given every other year since 1996 until 2009 when it was changed to be given annually.^[2]

The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library. As a children's librarian, storyteller, and author, she enriched the lives of Latino children through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.^[2]

The award is given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA).^[2]

From 1996 to 2020, two medals were awarded at ALA's annual conference, one to a Latinx author and one to a Latinx illustrator, for creating outstanding original children's (age 0-14) books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latinx cultural experience. Beginning in 2021, the author category was divided into two: one for a children's author and one for a young adult author. For the purpose of the award, "Latinx" is defined as people whose heritage emanates from any of the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Western Hemisphere.

To be eligible for the award, book must meet the following criteria:

• Published in the United States
• Author/illustrator is a resident or citizen of the United States
• Published in Spanish, English, or both

Books are judged individually, not based on the author/illustrator's body of work nor whether the author/illustrator has previously received the award. Honor books may be named, but if suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year. One person may be selected to receive the awards in both categories.^[3]

George Ancona, Yuyi Morales, and Duncan Tonatiuh have received medals or honors for their roles as both author and illustrator. Duncan Tonatiuh is the only person to receive multiple awards in one year for two different works.

• Ebook Central Academic Complete., and Rose Zertuche Treviño. The Pura Belpré Awards: Celebrating Latino Authors and Illustrators. Chicago: American Library Association, 2006.