Parents' Guide
What is "Un Coquí de Boriquén"?
Un Coquí de Boriquén is an educational and entertainment platform focused on children's literature that helps parents, grandparents, and anyone who has a Puerto Rican child in their life, to create magical experiences that they will remember forever, instilling the values and traditions of Puerto Rico. With a particular emphasis on the Puerto Rican who lives far from his beloved island, the books, stuffed animals and toys evoke the nostalgia of what is ours, from the Three Wise Men to the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.
How many books does the "Un Coquí de Boriquén" series have?
At the moment, two: "Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén" and "Un Coquí de Boriquén canta aquí y allá también".
What is "Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén" about?
"Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén" recounts the story of how the Magi managed to find the Baby Jesus by following the song of a Puerto Rican coquí. In gratitude, the Kings promise to visit the children of Puerto Rico every year, no matter where they live. To find them, the Kings follow the song of the coquí. The story invites children to adopt their own coquí so that the Kings can find them. That is why the Kings manage to find every Puerto Rican girl and boy, in San Juan or in Ponce, but also in Orlando, New York or wherever they may live.
What is "Un Coquí de Boriquén canta aquí y allá también" about?
"Un Coquí de Boriquén canta aquí y allá también" is the sequel to the Christmas classic, "Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén". This second installment tells the story of a coquí who was adopted outside of Puerto Rico. Convinced that coquís did not sing when they were far from their island, the little animal manages to rediscover his voice with the help of a child who reminds him of the meaning of being Puerto Rican. Children will learn about the values and culture of their country.
When should we adopt our own coquí?
Whenever you like! Tradition has it that the coquí arrived at the manger on Christmas Day itself and spent twelve days waiting for the Kings to arrive on January 6. For this reason, we recommend that Puerto Rican children adopt their coquís as of December 25. The coquí is a great gift to find under the tree on Christmas Day. A coquí is also the perfect gift year-round, and if it's adopted earlier, it'll be ready to do its job on the eve of Three Kings Day.
What do we do with the coquí once we adopt it?
After adopting it, give your coquí a name. The coquí is in your home to be hugged and loved. Children should take it with them everywhere. That is how the coquí will be able to tell the Kings every time that they are kind and generous. The night before Three Kings Day, children must place the coquí in their grass box. The singing of the coquí will call the Magi to come to their homes.
Why don't the Magi go directly to the manger in "Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén" ?
The biblical story tells that the Kings go in search of Jesus when they see his star. However, they first stop in Jerusalem. That is why the Kings send a Puerto Rican girl ahead of them, with her coquí, to follow the Star of Bethlehem. The Kings arrive twelve days later, on January 6, at the house where the Baby Jesus, Mary and her husband, Joseph, were.
Why should I adopt a coquí if I live in the United States?
In Puerto Rico there are coquís everywhere. That is why the Three Wise Men come every year to this beautiful little island, called by the singing of the native coquís. In the United States, there are not that many coquís but there are many Puerto Ricans - more than 5 million, in fact! To keep the tradition of the Three Kings alive, it is very important that Puerto Ricans living in Florida, New York, Texas and other states also receive a visit from the Magi.
"Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén" makes it possible to keep the tradition alive and helps Puerto Rican parents explain to their children why they receive a visit from the Magi even when their neighbors and friends may not celebrate Three Kings Day.
What species of coquí is "Un Coquí de Boriquén"?
The coquí in "Un Coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén" is of the species called "cricket coquí" or eleutherodactylus gryllus . It is distinguished by the marks on its back, in the case of the coquí in the story, in the form of the Star of Bethlehem. Its body is 16 millimeters long, and is yellowish or greenish in color. It lives on the margins of the forest in the Yunque area and in the mountainous interior of Puerto Rico. Source: Coquí Project .
In "Un Coquí de Boriquén canta aquí y allá también" other species of coquís appear, from the common coquí to the mahogany coquí. You can see the 16 species of coquíes at this link also courtesy of Proyecto Coquí .