There’s a Coqui in my Shoe Book

A modern classic in Children’s literature… There’s a Coqui in My Shoe! is the adventures of a boy who discovers a coquí in his red shoe.  There’s a Coqui in My Shoe! is written by Pennsylvania author Marisa de Jesus Paolicelli and illustrated by Arizona artist Tanja Bauerle. The book is published by Chi Chi Rodriguez Books, a company under the auspices of the famous golfer, dedicated to picture books for children of all backgrounds that celebrate the color and culture of Puerto Rico.

In this story, a young boy named Armando surprisingly discovers a coquí in his red shoe. Carlito the Coquí is lost and cannot find his way home to the rain forest. Armando befriends Carlito and anxiously waits for the following day to accompany his mother, Lola, to sell their pushcart of piraguas to Puerto Rican children. The book is full of yummy tastes, bright colors, and dramatic sounds, and in breathtaking illustrations,splendidly captures the vibrant color, culture, flora, and fauna of the island. Here’s an educational and entertaining lesson, not only on Puerto Rico’s beloved amphibian, the Eleutherodactylus coqui, but also on Puerto Rico’s environment, geography, history and culture. The entire book is filled with the wonderful, colorful illustrations of Tanja Bauerle. There are also several appendices with references, other fun facts and a complete list of the 17 known species of coquís. (Yes! A New one just identified and named, and is included in the second printing of the book.) Perfect for a home or school library.

For children ages 5 – 12.

12.1 x 9.2 x 0.6 inches

Many families read children’s literature books to their children before bedtime. And it is common knowledge that reading to children is beneficial. But how beneficial? According to Reading is Fundamental, there are benefits for children of all ages in reading aloud. In the earliest stages it helps children to absorb language and learning how books work. For preschoolers, it helps build language and expand vocabulary. For grade school children it helps improve empathy, and set them up for more complex vocabulary and sentence structures. Check out all of the books in Caribbean Trading’s bookshop.