Honors a Latinx writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. The award was first given in 1996 and every other year until 2008 when it became an annual award.
The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library.
Since its inception the award has had two main categories - an Author winner and an Illustrator winner, and more often included the inclusion of honor books. In 2021 a Young Adult category (with both winner and honor books) was added.
