Planting Stories: Encouraging Creativity and Cultural Pride in Kids This Hispanic Heritage Month
At the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, we are dedicated to helping every child feel seen, valued, and empowered. This Hispanic Heritage Month, our Club honored Latinx culture and storytelling through an engaging Book Club activity featuring Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
Why Planting Stories Matters
Planting Stories shares the life of Pura Belpré, a Puerto Rican librarian, educator, and storyteller who arrived in New York City in 1921. Belpré brought with her the rich folkloric tales of Puerto Rico, and noticing the lack of Spanish-language books for children, she began retelling her grandmother’s stories at the library. She made puppets, wrote books, and created spaces where Spanish-speaking children could see themselves represented in literature.
Belpré’s work planted seeds of cultural representation that continue to flourish in libraries, schools, and the lives of young people today. Her legacy has earned recognition, including the prestigious Pura Belpré Award, celebrating her impact on children’s literature.
Ways to Give – Springfield Boys and Girls Club
During our Club’s Book Club, members read Planting Stories aloud and explored what it means to “plant” a story — sharing it, nurturing it, and letting it grow within a community. We reflected on how Belpré’s cultural identity shaped her work and discussed the importance of each child’s voice.
After the discussion, children “planted” their own stories. Some illustrated scenes from favorite folktales, others wrote narratives, and some created mini pop-up books or story journals. This activity highlighted heritage, creativity, and personal expression, giving our young members the joy of seeing their stories celebrated.
The Power of Representation
Storytelling is more than entertainment — it helps children understand their world, honor their roots, and imagine new possibilities. For children from diverse backgrounds, seeing Hispanic culture and language reflected in books builds confidence, belonging, and pride. Planting Stories reminds us that when one person shares their story, it inspires others to grow, thrive, and contribute their own voices.
As we wrap up our Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club, we encourage our Springfield Boys & Girls Club families, staff, and supporters to ask: What story will you plant next?
Thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and families for helping nurture young storytellers and building brighter futures. Together, we are planting seeds that will grow for generations.