Kirkus Reviews

When Miguel leaves the island of Puerto Rico for the mainland U.S., he worries about all the things he'll miss-most of all, his pet frog, Coquí.In San Juan, Miguel takes Coquí everywhere: to play baseball with his friends, to visit the pond in the park, to buy his favorite snack at the bakery, or to visit his abuelos. But when his parents tell him they are moving to the mainland, he worries. Won't he miss Coquí, flying kites, his grandparents, and taking part in Christmas festivities? In New York, Miguel and his mother explore a neighborhood "full of interesting sights, sounds, and people." And though Spanish words are around them, so too are other unfamiliar languages. Soon they discover a pond with frogs, a food cart selling empanadillas, a baseball field, and a bakery that sells his favorite snack. As Miguel drifts off to sleep he realizes Puerto Rico will always be with him, in his heart-and though some things in New York are different, some are the same. Perez's illustrations depict a multiethnic, multicultural New York that is just as colorful, vibrant, and upbeat as the city back home. Miguel and his family have light brown skin and dark hair. A Spanish version, De aquí como el coquí, publishes simultaneously, ably translated by Farah Perez.The happy and positive message that not all new beginnings are to be feared is a welcome one. (Picture book. 4-6)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Coquí, a tiny, smiling green frog, is Miguel-s beloved pet in San Juan; Miguel takes Coquí everywhere, considering the amphibian -part of the familia.- But when Mamá and Papá inform Miguel, who has light brown skin, that they-re moving to the U.S. mainland, Miguel must leave Coquí behind -in the gentle hands of his abuelo.- An eye-catching spread shows a cutaway of Miguel and his parents sitting on a plane, gazing at a colorfully airbrushed New York city-scape. Though -the newness of everything was overwhelming,- Miguel soon finds familiar elements-the sound of frogs and the game of baseball in a park, and the flavors of home in a panadería. Contextual clues keep the text of Perez-s gentle solo debut accessible to non-Spanish speakers, while glossy, vivid spreads bring Miguel-s entwined trepidation and awe to life, resulting in a reassuring narrative. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

PEREZ, Nomar . De aquí como el coquí . tr. from by Farah Perez. ISBN 9780593324073 . ea vol: illus. by Nomar Perez. 32p. Dial . Mar. 2021. Tr. $17.99. PreS-Gr 2 Miguel loves listening to his abuelito's stories, sharing meals with his family, and playing baseball with his friends and pet frog, Coquí. When Miguel and his parents have to move to the U.S. mainland, he has to leave so much that he loves in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Once in New York City, he is uncertain and misses his home, Miguel agrees to go out to explore their new neighborhood with Mamá. As they find familiar things they loveempanadillas, a baseball field, and even a pond full of frogs like CoquíNew York City begins to feel much more like home. Vibrant, colorful illustrations depict the life and beauty of Puerto Rico and the rich diversity that can be found in Miguel's new neighborhood. The text is available in English and Spanish editions and conveys the excitement, sadness, and new possibilities that Miguel experiences. This is a wonderful book with a comforting message, perfect for sharing with young readers who are experiencing big changes. Miguel is light-skinned. VERDICT A strong choice for all collections.Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston