Anika Denise

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About Anika Denise
Anika Aldamuy Denise is the Pura Belpré honor-winning author of A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer!, Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, The Love Letter, Starring Carmen!, and more. She lives in Rhode Island with her family. Visit Anika online at www.anikadenise.com.
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Blog postLiving in reasonable proximity to my hometown has always been a comfort to me. Even when life and kids and work meant the occasional long stretches between visits, I knew I could hop on a train or jump in my car and be in New York in a few short hours. It’s strange for me to feel even the slightest worry or hesitation in going home to a place that’s as familiar as breathing. But due to Covid travel restrictions and the need to keep things safe (and simple), I haven’t been been back in many mo2 years ago Read more
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Blog postDear Readers,
We are so excited to share with you our latest collaboration, Bunny in the Middle.
This story really began many years ago—when an illustrator met a copywriter, got married, moved to a little cottage near the sea, and had two daughters.
Then, a third daughter arrived. And as new babies tend to do, she turned their little world upside down for a time. But as the years went on and everyone began to settle into life as a family of five, they3 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe first Broadway show my parents ever took me to was Peter Pan starring Sandy Duncan. I was six years old and utterly captivated. Everything about the show thrilled me: the larger-than-life sets, the sweeping music—seeing kids singing, FLYING, dancing! I bought the soundtrack and pretended I was Wendy. Some days, I was Peter. Then […]
The post Where Dreams Are Born: Why #OwnVoices Needs Your Support appeared first on Anika Denise.
4 years ago Read more -
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Blog postToday, I have the great pleasure of spotlighting a writer I’ve known for (wait for it…) 32 years. When we met, we were two curly-headed tweens attending summer theatre camp in upstate, New York. Like a moth to a bright light, I was instantly drawn to this feisty, funny, creative spirit, who had a gift for […]
The post JD Spero on Spellbinding New YA “Concerto” appeared first on Anika Denise.
4 years ago Read more -
Blog postAn early crusader for diversity in children’s literature will come alive in a picture book biography, Pura Belpré, Planting Stories…
The post Pura Belpré to Star in New Picture Book Biography appeared first on Anika Denise.
5 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday’s the day Carmen makes her dramatic entrance! I’m so thrilled for you to meet this one-girl sensación!
She was inspired by my love of theatre and imagination; by my hermanito, Brandon, and my hermanita, Elisa; and by my three daughters, who have a vibrant (if occasionally exhausting) enthusiasm for performing arts.
I hope young readers of all backgrounds will relate to her creativity and flair for the dramatic—as well as her love of her familia and big h5 years ago Read more -
Blog postLaunching a new book into the world is worthy of a grand celebration. Whether it’s your first book or your fiftieth — it’s important to mark the occasion with fanfare. Throw a bash! Invite your friends! Revel in the moment! You earned it. But successfully launching a book involves more than just party planning. The work of […]
The post Beyond the Book Launch Party appeared first on Anika Denise.
5 years ago Read more -
Blog postLast month, I met a teacher in Hutchinson, Kansas – Shannon Vieyra – via Skype in the Classroom. Ms. Vierya’s students and I spent forty or so minutes chatting about reading, creative writing, journaling, inspiration, brainstorming, first drafts and revision.
Skype sessions are always enjoyable for me, but a few really stand out. I come away feeling especially gratified, because the teachers and students are so enthusiastic and engaged. This was one of th5 years ago Read more -
Blog postConnecting the dots with the fourth grade students of The Midtown Academy in Baltimore.
Post election, many of us in kidlit are thinking about the responsibility that comes with writing for children: A responsibility to create stories that reflect our diverse world, foster understanding and acceptance of differences, and above all, inspire empathy.
I stand with the children’s book community in their pledge to bring these kinds of books into the world. And YOU can, to5 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnika Denise talks Monster Trucks (plus Giveaway!)
The post Picture Book Builders appeared first on Anika Denise.
6 years ago Read more
Titles By Anika Denise
RECIPIENT OF THE PURA BELPRÉ HONOR
* A Today Show's Best Kids' Books of 2019 * Indie Next List Pick * Junior Library Guild Selection *
Sigue la vida y el legado de Pura Belpré, la primera bibliotecaria puertorriqueña de la ciudad de Nueva York.
Cuando llegó a Estados Unidos en el año 1921, Pura trajo consigo los cuentos folklóricos de su tierra natal, Puerto Rico. Encontró su nuevo hogar en la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York como ayudante bilingüe. Logró que sus relatos se convirtieran en libros y esparció las semillas de sus historias por todo el país. Hoy día, esas semillasse han transformado en exuberantes paisajes gracias a que las nuevas generaciones de niños y cuentacuentos han seguido contando sus historias y celebrando el legado de Pura.
Este magnífico retrato de la bibliotecaria, autora y marionetista nos recuerda el poder de la narración de cuentos, y a la mujer extraordinaria que abrió las puertas y defendió la idea de la literatura bilingüe.
Additional Praise:
Named a Best Spanish Language Picture Book 2020 by the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education
Silver Medalist for the Children's Book Committee's Best Spanish Language Picture Books of the Year Awards 2018/2019!
A Tejas Star Reading List Selection, the Texas Library Association’s bilingual reading list for readers ages 5-12.
“An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian. A must-have for all libraries.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
RECIPIENT OF THE PURA BELPRÉ HONOR
* A Today Show's Best Kids' Books of 2019 * Indie Next List Pick * Junior Library Guild Selection *
“An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian...a must-have for all libraries.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
An inspiring 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.
Informative backmatter and suggested further reading included.
A Spanish-language edition, Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos, is also available.
“Anika Aldamuy Denise’s intimate telling captures the magical, folk-tale feeling of Belpré’s own stories. Her lyrical text, sprinkled like fairy dust with Spanish words, begs to be read aloud, while Paola Escobar’s stylishly detailed and warmly expressive illustrations capture the joy of sharing stories.” —New York Times Book Review
Three bouncing little bear siblings, wrapped tight in their winter clothes, can't wait to tromp through the snow for Baking Day at Grandma's! In a rhyming text that begs to be sung, the bears and their grandma pour and mix and stir--with breaks for hot cocoa and dancing--to create the perfect wintry treat. Then they wrap it up as gifts in ribbons to show that sweets are even better when they're shared. With a recipe in the back, this is a perfect family feel-good story for the fall, winter, and any holiday spent with grandparents.
Praise for BAKING DAY AT GRANDMA'S:
"This gentle story will leave children feeling warm and fuzzy. It’s perfect for individual sharing, storytime, baking time, and pretty much any time."--School Library Journal
"A rollicking, rhyming salute to the grandmother-grandchild bond."--Kirkus Reviews
"Three vivacious bears spend a pleasant and productive day with their grandmother in this warm tale."--Publishers Weekly
"[W]arm and cuddly and brimming with character..."--BCCB
This joyful picture book celebrates middle children and sibling love.
When you’re in the middle . . . you’re not the oldest, and you’re not the youngest. You are right in between. There’s someone bigger who helps you and someone smaller who needs you. From the middle, you can see both sides.
But being in the middle isn’t always easy—sometimes it’s hard to know what makes you special, or how to follow a path that’s just your own. Bunny in the Middle, this classic picture book from Anika A. Denise highlights the remarkable empathy of middles and the joys of self-acceptance, glowingly illustrated by New York Times-bestselling artist Christopher Denise.
Christy Ottaviano Books
Carmen and her family speak a mix of English and Spanish, inspired the author’s loving exchanges with her father as a little girl.
Exuberant illustrations by Lorena Alvarez Gómez offer the perfect complement to Anika Denise’s warm, Spanish-sprinkled text in this celebration of theater, family, and imagination.