Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (born in Coamo, Puerto Rico on November 22, 1947)[1] is a Hispanic educator and author of notable and award winning books for children and young adults.[2] Most of her books are written in verse and reflect her Puerto Rican heritage.[3] She has also written picture book biographies about prominent Latin Americans.

Carmen Bernier-Grand
Born (1947-11-22) November 22, 1947 (age 76)
Coamo, Puerto Rico
OccupationWriter and educator
Language
  • Spanish
  • English
Alma mater
GenreChildren books in verse
SubjectPicture book biographies
Notable awardsPura Belpré Honors
2010, 2008, 2006

Early life

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Bernier-Grand was born and raised in Puerto Rico.[4] As a child, she enjoyed writing and making up stories.[5] She obtained a B.S. from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico in 1968; a M.S. from University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez in 1972.[1] In the late 1970s, she moved to the United States mainland to pursue doctoral studies in advanced mathematics at the University of Connecticut.[6]

Career

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Before becoming an author, Bernier-Grand worked as a math instructor at the University of Puerto Rico and later, as a computer programmer in Portland, OR.[1] In 1981, she decided to stay home to raise her children and began writing stories.[7] Currently, she is an established author of numerous bilingual books, a presenter of creative writing workshops, and a multicultural storyteller.[7] She has won three Pura Belpré Honors.[8]

Selected works

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Juan Bobo: Folktales From Puerto Rico (Harpercollins, 1994)

Poet and Politician of Puerto Rico: Don Luis Muñoz Marín (Orchard Books, 1995)

In the Shade of the Níspero Tree (Orchard Books, 1999)

Shake It, Morena! And Other Folklore From Puerto Rico

César: ¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! (Marshall Cavendish, 2004)

Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! (Marshall Cavendish, 2007)

Diego: Bigger than Life (Marshall Cavendish, 2009)

Sonia Sotomayor: Supreme Court Justice (Two Lions, September 1, 2010)

Alicia Alonso: Prima Ballerina (Two Lions, September 1, 2011)

Our Lady Guadalupe (Two Lions, April 1, 2012)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Carmen T. Bernier-Grand". Something About the Author. 202: 9–12.
  2. ^ Ailesha (2012-10-29). "¡Mira Look!: Author Carmen T Bernier-Grand". Vamos a Leer. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  3. ^ Hemingway, Edie (2011-02-25). "One Potato...Ten!: An interview with Carmen T. Bernier-Grand". One Potato...Ten!. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  4. ^ "Happy Birthday Carmen T. Bernier-Grand - November 22". www.happybirthdayauthor.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  5. ^ "Interview with Children's Book Author Carmen T. Bernier-Grand - Cynthia Leitich Smith". Cynthia Leitich Smith. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  6. ^ Day, Frances Ann (2003). Latina and Latino voices in literature: Lives and works. University of South Florida Library: Greenwood Press. pp. 2003. ISBN 0313323941.
  7. ^ a b "Carmen T Bernier Grand". www.carmenberniergrand.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  8. ^ "The Pura Belpré Award winners 1996-present". American Library Association. 2011. Archived from the original on October 30, 2011.
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