Today I am sharing another great book for Multicultural Children's Book Day!! Today we are looking at a book about a Puerto Rican parrot which shares some information about the parrots and Puerto Rico as well as a message about how amazing bilingual people are. The book is Coco the Puerto Rican Parrot by Frances Diaz Evans and illustrated by Alejandra Lopez. I am also including a round-up of parrot crafts to go with the book.
From the Publisher:
In the Iguaca Aviary, a captive parrot is seeking to be released into the tropical rainforest of Yunque. He's happy, but will the wild flock accept him once he is free?From Me:
Coco is a Puerto Rican parrot that was born in captivity. He is being raised to be released though. The day arrives for his release, and he cannot wait to fly over the Yunque Rainforest and meet the wild parrots. However, the wild parrots think he talks weird and don't want any part of him. He feels pretty lonely. Then he sees humans coming to chop down the wild parrots' tree and he knows he has to do something. Since he can communicate with the humans from the aviary he gets them and helps to stop the destruction of the parrots tree. The wild parrots realize that Coco is special because he understands both parrots and humans. He may have a different accent than they do but they realize he is special and let him join them. It is such a sweet story and it shows the importance bilingual people are in helping us all communicate.
At the end of the book there is the author's note about how the Puerto Rican parrots are endangered and how the there are parrots being born in captivity and raised to be released. There is also a page of illustrations to teach the flora and fauna of Puerto Rico as well as a glossary and a list of the characters and where their names came from. For those who do not recognize the author's name. She is my blogger friend. She blogs over at Discovering the World Through My Son's Eyes. I hope you will check out her book as well as her blog!!
Parrot Craft Round-Up
About Multicultural Children's Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 (1/25/24) is in its 11th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day and is honored to be Supported by these Medallion and Ruby Sponsors!
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)
🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight, Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Lerner Publishing Group
🏅 Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Astra Books for Young Readers
🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Lee and Low Books, Cardinal Rule Press
🏅 Bronze Sponsors: CK Malone, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Anita Crawford Clark, Star Bright Books, Blue Dot Kids Press, Brunella Costagliola, Red Fin, Fabled Films
Ruby Sponsor: 
Crayola
Poster Artist: Rebecca Burgess
Classroom Kit Poster: Barefoot Books
MCBD 2024 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Gwen Jackson, Josh Funk, Eugenia Chu, Sivan Hong, Marta Magellan, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Angela H. Dale, Maritza M Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Charnaie Gordon, Alva Sachs, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Lisa Chong, Diana Huang, Martha Seif Simpson, DARIA (WORLD MUSIC WITH DARIA) Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Gea Meijering, Stephanie M. Wildman, Tracey Kyle, Afsaneh Moradian, Kim C. Lee, Rochelle Melander, Beth Ruffin, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Alina Chau, Michael Genhart, Sally J. Pla, Ajuan Mance, Kimberly Marcus, Lindsey Rowe Parker
MCBD 2024 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!
MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our Partner Organizations!
Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
📌 FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
- MCBD 2024 Poster
- Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
- Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parent
- Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
- FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit
- FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit
- FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit
- FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit
- FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit
- Gallery of Our Free Posters
- FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
📌 Register for the MCBD Read Your World Virtual Party
Join us on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 9 pm EST celebrating more than 10 years of Multicultural Children's Book Day Read Your World Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 25, 2024, at our virtual party!
