The Storyteller's Candle
Presented by Rachel Holthaus, EDEL 411 Section D
About the Book
Illustrator: Lulu Delacre
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme: The library is a place for everyone - no matter where you're from.
Awards: Pura Belpre Honor Book
About the Author
About the Illustrator
Illustration from the Book
Criteria for Notable Multicultural Books
- Setting should be representative of and consistent with historical or contemporary time, place, or situation of a particular culture. The Storyteller's Candle takes place in New York during the early years of the Great Depression (1929-1935). The Great Depression was felt worldwide, and therefore also affected Puerto Rico. During this time, many Puerto Rican's traveled to the United States, particularly New York, in search of jobs and a better way of life.
- Language should reflect distinctive vocabulary, style, and patterns of speech of the cultural group. The Storyteller's Candle is written in two languages: English and Spanish. Each spread contains the passage in English and in Spanish. The English language used in the book is speckled with rich Spanish words that are pertinent to the story and the Puerto Rican culture.
- Illustrations should compliment and enhance the imagery of the story. The illustrations in this book are intricate and detailed. The pages contain rich scenery and characters painted with oil washes of beautiful warm tones. Each spread contains newspaper print from the New York Times of January 6, 1930 in some aspect of the illustration to help set the time period of the story.
Classroom Teaching Application
CCSS RL.4.2. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
Objective: The students will identify a theme from the The Storyteller's Candle using evidence from the text.
This book can be related to students' lives through the feelings of homesickness, visiting the library, and celebrating Christmas. The book also contains an historical reference. The story takes place during the early years of the Great Depression. This book can be used to teach students about the effects of the Great Depression and the many Puerto Ricans that traveled to the United States, particularly New York, in search of jobs.
The teacher will explain to students that the theme of a story is the main message the story is trying to convey. The teacher will use a small short story to model identifying the theme of the story. The teacher will use a think-a-loud strategy to point out evidence from the story that helps to identify the theme.
The students will practice the skill by identifying the theme in The Storyteller's Candle. They will fill out a worksheet that includes the main theme and supporting evidence (details) from the story. After the lesson, students will read a short story on their own and fill out a similar worksheet with the theme and supporting details.
Vocabulary from the Story
El Barrio: the neighborhood
Navidad: Christmas
Bendito: word used to show sympathy, frustration, or exasperation.
Parrandas: Party
Aguinaldos: Christmas carol
El Dia de los Reyes: The Three Kings' Day
Titi: Aunt
Ninos: children
Luceros: bright star
Buenos dias: Good day
La biblioteca: the library
Espanol: Spanish
nenes: baby; small child
Viva: alive
Bodega Santurce: small store
Habichuelas: beans
cafe: coffee
Que bueno: how good; how wonderful
Bueno, ya veremos: well, we'll see
Bienvenidos: Welcome
Fiesta: party
Asalto!: Surprise!
Parranderos: celebrants
Vengo a saludar: come with greetings
Guiro: a musical instrument made out of a gourd
Cuatro: a guitar
About Pura Belpre
Pura Belpre was the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. Her first published story was "Perez and Martina."
The Pura Belpra Award was established in 1996 and is awarded annually to a Latino/Latina author and illustrator of literature for children and youth whose work best represents the Latino culture.
Belpre received the New York Mayor's Award for Arts and Culture. She died in 1982.