de Aquí Como El Coquí

by Nomar Perez, Farah Perez (Translator)

En esta emocionante historia, basada en las propias experiencias del autor e ilustrador, un ni�o se muda de Puerto Rico a los Estados Unidos en donde descubre que la ciudad de Nueva York tiene mucho m�s en com�n con la ciudad de San Juan que lo que el podia imaginar.

La mascota de Miguel, Coquí, siempre anda con el: mientras saluda a sus vecinos en San Juan, compra quesitos en la panadería y mientras escucha la historia de su abuelo cuando conoci� al famoso pelotero Roberto Clemente. Un día Miguel se entera que el y sus padres se mudar�n a los Estados Unidos, lo cual significa dejar atr�s a sus amados abuelos, su hogar en Puerto Rico y tambi�n a Coquí. La vida en la ciudad de Nueva York es abrumadora, con lugares, comidas y personas desconocidas. Sin embargo cuando el y Mam� se van a explorar, descubren algunos lugares similares que les recuerdan a casa y Miguel se da cuenta que hay una posibilidad de mantener un poco de Puerto Rico con el --incluyendo su amor por Coquí-- a donde quiera que vaya.

Genres: Picture Books, Latinx, Family, Childrens, Spanish Literature, Realistic Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely colorful illustrations and a sweet satisfying story.

[Delia Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coqui in the City/De Aqui Como el Coqui is a beautiful story of immigration and Puerto Rican culture.

🐸I LOVE a good coqui book and Nomar nailed it with this one! In the book we see Miguel and coqui enjoy the beauty of Puerto Rico before moving. Migues enjoys the vibrant San Juan neighborhood, the traditional food dishes, and time with his close-knit family. When the news comes about his move, Miguel realizes coqui must stay behind on this next adventure. We witness Miguel saying goodbye to his beautiful island and start a new life in New York. I love the perspective from Miguel because we see how overwhelming it can be being in a new place (sights, sounds, language, food, etc). As he adjusts to a new life Miguel learns to welcome new experiences while still holding on to his Puerto Rican culture.

[Sandra Alomar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author nailed it! I am an adult and reading this book to my kids brought back memories of my own experience when my family moved to Florida. I felt joy and sadness reminiscing but it reminded me that although sometimes is hard, change is good. How we process adaptation will determine success in our decisions, including moving to a foreign place. The book is very colorful and well represented a Puerto Rican childhood. A good read, my favorite part was when his mom recognize she had the same feelings as him and decides to do something about it. Children's feelings need to be acknowledged. The book teaches that change is ok, recognizing a child's feelings is important to help them go thru life changes. I would recommend this book to all my friends!

[Marie Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK!
Loved how the author captivates the experiences of Miguel, much like the ones
myself, underwent as a child living in the island of Puerto Rico. It was such a joy to read with my children and being able to talk to them about the same feelings Miguel experienced, when my family migrated to the United States. The book is very colorful and well detailed. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Miguel hears a very familiar sound and finds it in a small pond. I will definitely recommend this book to my family and friends!

[theperksofbeingmarissa ;) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm mad he didn't get a frog at the ennnnnnndd 🐸

[Gloria M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an 2022 ALA award-winning Multicultural Children's book. I enjoyed learning about the comparison of home and his current living place. The book is full of colors and refences that are enjoyable to a young reader.

[Frances Gonzalez-Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

IG Review:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRG-DamsU3x/

[Maggie Qudsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coqui in the City is a heartfelt story about moving from Puerto Rico to the US and finding comfort in memories. I choose this book because it shows in a positive way an experience of moving and starting new. This story will help young readers understand change. I think this book is great to help build empathy in a classroom and help support students who are adjusting.

[Jocelyn S]

This book is about a Puerto Rican boy who moves to the us from San Juan Mexico, he brings his Coqui toy with him to remember his island home. This book explores immigration, change, and having pride for your culture no matter where you are. This book would be great for k-2nd graders and i definitely will be having this book in my library to help my students navigate a new classroom and how they can still honor their heritage in my classroom.

[nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

so so sweet moving from a place like pr is the hardest 3 also playing out n about w a signed ball is CRAZY 🥲

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miguel lives in Puerto Rico and takes his pet frog, Coqui, everywhere. At night Coqui and the other frogs sing Miguel to sleep . One day, Miguel's parents announce that they are moving to mainland US. He will miss so many things, especially Coqui, who he leaves behind with his Abuelo. After unpacking, Miguel and his mom take a walk around the neighborhood of their new apartment while Papa is at work, and Miguel hears a familiar sound that helps him miss home less.

I loved this great story, from the wonderful sights and culture of Puerto Rico, to finding familiarity in his new community, Nomar Perez's text and pictures are perfect. I can imagine that a child from Puerto Rico will get additional happy experiences reading Coqui in the city, and maybe the adults will, too. Highly recommended, especially if your school has an immigrant population.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Puerto Rico to NYC

A nice story about moving, leaving grandparents, adjusting to a new country and city. I loved the way the Spanish was woven in really well. The frog (Coqui is noise it makes) is a great connection tool between the two countries. He has a pet frog he has to leave behind and then when his mom and him are walking through the city they walk through Central Park and find a pond where the frogs go Croak instead of Coqui but they are something familiar to him that brings comfort.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a child moving from Puerto Rico to New York City and his fear of what will not be the same resolves itself nicely. The title is a reference to the pet frog he leaves behind in Puerto Rico and his longing for it in his new home. The book is very well done and is sprinkled with Spanish phrases throughout the English text. Overall, this is a nice book and I enjoyed it quite a lot. A good one to have on the shelves.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miguel and his parents move from Puerto Rica to the U.S. mainland. Moving means leaving his grandparents and all things that are familiar to him including his beloved frog, Coqui, behind. As they settle in New York city, Miguel is homesick for San Juan, but he discovers that his new home, though vastly different from Puerto Rico, still has somethings that are similar.

[Natalie Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perez did a fantastic job of integrating Spanish words into the story of one boy who moves from his beloved Puerto Rico to NYC. The plot itself was a little lackluster, but Miguel's mixed emotions after his big move will comfort kids who have gone through similar changes.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

As another reviewer said, the actual plot was lackluster but the feelings that Miguel has having to move to a new place makes this book important to have for anyone who might be experiencing the same thing (or be able to empathize with others who are experiencing it).

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is idyllic for young Miguel. He feels loved by everyone around him, and he enjoys spending time with his pet frog, Coqui. He is devastated by his parents' news of their move to New York City. Not only must he leave his grandparents behind, but Coqui will not be able to travel with him either. Even his grandfather's gift of a cherished baseball autographed by Roberto Clemente can help only so much. The city is bright and exciting, but all the newness and unfamiliarity are overwhelming for Miguel. When his mother takes him on a walk to a nearby park, Miguel starts to feel a little bit better, especially when he hears the croaking of frogs near a pond, plays baseball with that special ball, and enjoys a treat from the panaderia. Miguel realizes that New York City is quite different from San Juan, but there are some aspects that are the same. While this picture book does capture the disorientation of a young boy newly transplanted to a new place, Miguel seems to settle in and find contentment faster than most individuals would. Still, his story and experiences may reassure other recent arrivals. The digital illustrations effectively capture his emotions and the sights and sounds of both of his homes.

[Armando Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miguel lives with his family in Puerto Rico and has a pet frog named Coqui. After his parents tell him that they will be moving to America, he is filled with sadness because he will have to leave his life behind, including Coqui. When he arrives to his new home, he realizes that a lot of places are very similar to his home in Puerto Rico. He enjoyed things like going to the park, and playing baseball. The town where he moves to has a lot of the same kind of markets with the same food. He realizes that his new home is not so different from what he was used to. He even finds a new frog. I really liked the illustrations in this story. They are very colorful and show a happy culture both in his old life in Puerto Rico and in his new home in America. The artwork depicts how similar these places can be. This is a story I would share with young children to help them understand that new beginnings can be a wonderful thing. Miguel was very worried about moving away but when he got to his new home he realizes it was a wonderful place.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miguel has a fun life in San Juan, Puerto Rico with his parents, his pet frog coquí, his favorite sites and sounds, and his grandparents. When he and his parents move to New York City, Miguel has to leave his coquí and so much else behind. Can he find anything familiar in this new place?

I like how this helps a kid moving find similarities between the new and the old, and celebrate some of the new. Miguel's pet frog in Puerto Rico is super cute, especially how it does everything with him. His grandfather trades a treasured signed baseball for coquí to help Miguel, which was very sweet. Non-Spanish speakers may want an app or Spanish dictionary on hand to translate some words or phrases which are used in the text without translation (though you can usually figure it out from context). A vibrantly illustrated, sweet story about moving.

[Adriana Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

De Aqui Como EL Coqui (Coqui in the City), 2021
Pura Belpre Honor Award
Genre: Picture Book, Family, Immigration
I enjoyed reading this book! This is a book based in Puerto Rico. A coqui is a little frog native to this land. At night the frogs say “Coqui”. Miguel and his parents talk about having to move to the United States. Miguel starts questioning if they have the things he loves over there in the US. Miguel had to say goodbye to his grandparents and home. Once Miguel moved in he started to notice that there were still some of the things he liked from his home. I strongly recommend this book. In class, I would use this book to introduce new vocabulary. To help students understand the reason why people move and the struggle of assimilating. In addition, I would like my students to be considerate and open-minded when people are sharing their stories.

[Maggie Cabral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows a little boy, Miguel, moving from San Juan to New York. He talks about his great life in Puerto Rico with his pet frog Coqui. However, he has to leave his grandparents, his home, and his pet Coqui. But he learns to love and recognize the similarities New York has with Puerto Rico. This book is a great story to show children that a transition can be difficult, but they can find similarities in their home and new environment. This book is also completely in Spanish, which can be useful for children who have either moved from or have connections to a Latin American country. I would for sure use this book in the future because I plan to teach in a large Hispanic community and this is a great book for Spanish-speaking children to read and feel included.

[Adalys C · Rating 5 out of 5]

“De Aquí cómo el Coqui” is a picture book that highlights the feelings of loneliness and joy when immigrating to a new place. Miguel is told that they are moving from Puerto Rico to New York and not only are they leaving their grandparents behind but also his pet coqui. His journey begins in finding a new balance, a new joy in the new world they’re living in. The book beautifully highlights Puertorican culture in dialogue, plot, and small details in the pictures. This book is great for children of 1st-3rd/4th grade. It brings to life a new culture kids may not be familiar with, but it also provides opportunities of conversations to both kids who can relate with Miguel’s story of moving to a different country and those who are somewhat aware of the concept but not entirely.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tale of a boy from Puerto Rico who moves to New York City, leaving behind his beloved grandparents and pet frog. (Coqui translates from Spanish as "frog".). In his memory, PR is bright, colorful, and busy, with NYC not quite as bright (perhaps its luster has worn off over the years?), but just as busy. He spends much time comparing the two diverse places, finding many of the same things in both places including frogs in the City Park. Perez sprinkles in some Spanish in the text. Does anyone find the boy's very round head odd?

This will be a welcome addition to units on immigration and moving.
Recommended for grades PreS-3

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miguel loves his little frog that goes with him everywhere in his city home in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When his parents announce they are moving the the mainland United States, Miguel is very sad that he will have to leave Coqui behind. When he gets to New York, his new city, he and his mother explore and find many of the same types of places he enjoyed in his hometown. And they find a pond of frogs which makes Miguel feel right at home.

A beautiful story of having to leave everything you love but finding joy in your new space.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Miguel loves his neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When his family moves to the United States, he has to leave all of that behind for a strange city. He misses his grandparents and his pet frog, Coqui, but he also discovers that he holds a love for Puerto Rico inside of him.

A great story focusing on some of the struggles of a child immigrating to a new place while also highlighting the beauty of Puerto Rico.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miguel and his pet frog Coquí are inseparable as they explore their hometown in Puerto Rico. But when Miguel and his parents move to the mainland, Coquí must stay behind. Miguel is sad to leave his pet and his home behind, but comes to enjoy the new sights and sounds in his adopted home, New York. And when he looks carefully, echoes of his homeland are there, too. A sweet story about moving to a new place - appreciating the new while still honoring where you've come from.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Bilingual, the edition I read was all in Spanish.

We start in Puerto Rico with a boy and his frog. He lives with his parents and spends much time with his grandparents. His frog goes with him everywhere.

His parents decide to move to the US. He has to leave his frog behind with his grandfather.

He's sad in New York, but he and his mother find the park and he sees other frogs, they play ball with a baseball his grandfather gave him, and his father finds his favorite treat.

[AnaLuz Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book with such colorful illustrations of the island and the city. It helps deal with kids feelings of adapting to a new place. Moving to a new area can be scary and take some time to adapt. It’s tough for us as adults, and it can be even harder for kids as they sometimes don’t know how to express what they feel. Th is shows them it’s ok to miss the places and people you love as you get to know and adapt to your new home.
⠀
Read September 2021

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miguel takes his pet frog, Coquí, everywhere, but when he learns that he and his parents are leaving San Juan, Puerto Rico for New York City, he has to leave Coquí behind with his abuelo and abuela. While he misses them, he learns that his new neighborhood isn't completely different from his old one. I like that they celebrate the similarities and not just focus on the differences in this story about moving. As it should be, this book is available in Spanish and English.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story about a boy who loves his family, friends, and home in San Juan. But then his family moves to New York City and he has to leave his pet frog, Coquí, behind. He’s sad and overwhelmed until he finds that some things in NYC are the same as in Puerto Rico, and that his love for Coquí and San Juan are always in his heart. Colorful, vibrant art. Spanish phrases make this an ideal picture book for student’s’ language learning.