[2] The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library.
For the purpose of the award, "Latinx" is defined as people whose heritage emanates from any of the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Western Hemisphere.
Honor books may be named, but if suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year.
[3] George Ancona, Yuyi Morales, and Duncan Tonatiuh have received medals or honors for their roles as both author and illustrator.
Several authors have received both a Belpré Medal and a Belpré Honor: Raúl Colón, David Diaz, Margarita Engle, Carmen Lomas Garza, Susan Guevara, Rafael López, Meg Medina, Yuyi Morales, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Duncan Tonatiuh.