Coco the Puerto Rican Parrot -- a Multicultural Children's Book Day Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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

Although these are not all Puerto Rican parrots you can change the colors to have them look like Coco!

1) Cardboard Tube Parrot from Kids Craft Room
3) Handprint Parrot from Simple Everyday Mom
4) Toilet Paper Roll Parrot from Little Ladoo
5) Parrot Finger Puppet from Red Ted Art
6) Cockatoo Pencil Tins from The Craft Train
7) 3D Macaw Craft from The Craft Train Note: This template costs money
8) Paper Parrot Craft from Arty Crafty Kids Note: Must be a member to get template.

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 SpotlightLanguage Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ LanguagesLerner Publishing Group

🏅 Gold Sponsors: Barefoot BooksAstra Books for Young Readers

🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet PressEerdmans Books for Young ReadersValerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena PublishingLee and Low BooksCardinal Rule Press

🏅 Bronze Sponsors: CK MaloneTonya Duncan EllisAnita Crawford ClarkStar Bright BooksBlue Dot Kids PressBrunella CostagliolaRed FinFabled 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 JacksonJosh FunkEugenia ChuSivan HongMarta MagellanKathleen BurkinshawAngela H. DaleMaritza M MejiaAuthors J.C. Kato and J.C.²Charnaie GordonAlva SachsAmanda Hsiung-BlodgettLisa ChongDiana HuangMartha Seif SimpsonDARIA (WORLD MUSIC WITH DARIA) Daria Marmaluk-HajioannouGea MeijeringStephanie M. WildmanTracey KyleAfsaneh MoradianKim C. LeeRochelle Melander, Beth Ruffin, Shifa Saltagi SafadiAlina ChauMichael GenhartSally J. PlaAjuan ManceKimberly MarcusLindsey 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


📌 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! 

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