Puerto Rico Books for Kids
- kindlittleexplorer
- Nov 5, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 14
Books are an excellent way to teach children about different places, a way to travel and explore without the cost of actual travel. Over the years I have collected some books about Puerto Rico that are specifically for children. Maybe you are a Puerto Rican parent looking for ways to connect your child to the magic of Puerto Rico, or a parent who is about to visit Puerto Rico with their little one and is looking for an introduction to Puerto Rico. In this post, I will share some of our favorite children's books related to Puerto Rico.
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Being a military family, for us, has meant raising our kids outside of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico where both my husband and I grew up. Away from family and the Puerto Rican culture. For almost a decade, we have moved every couple of years from state to state. We do what we can to have the kids learn as much as they can about Puerto Rico. If you ask them, they LOVE Puerto Rico. They would be overjoyed for a chance to live there.
There are several ways we try to help our children grow up with a strong love and appreciation for their Puerto Rican heritage. The most important one is, to visit Puerto Rico as much as we can. Usually, that means visiting once a year for about two weeks. This gives them enough time to visit family and explore the Island. We also cook Puerto Rican food and visit Puerto Rican restaurants (if any are available).
Because we live far away from our little Isla del Encanto, I find that reading books about Puerto Rico that contain information about Puerto Rican culture and traditions helps me give my children a little slice of Puerto Rican magic.
Listed below are some of our favorite children's books about Puerto Rico:
Tiny Travelers Puerto Rico Treasure Quest, Coqui, The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from PR, La Viejita Ramonita, El ABC de la Comida Puerto Riqueña, Across the Bay, Goodnight Puerto Rico, Taino Tales The Secret Hummingbird, Kiki Kokí
by Susie Jaramillo
I loved getting this book for my 3-year-old before we went on our family vacation to Puerto Rico. It took my little reader on a quest to discover some of the things that make Puerto Rico so special. It is a rhyme-based book featuring seek-and-find activities, such as finding the "pasteles". It also features many Spanish words with a phonetic English pronunciation provided.
by Valeri Ortiz
A cute little story about Coqui, the tiny tree frog that lives in a rainforest in Puerto Rico. He doesn't make the same "ribbit" sound as most frogs do, so he teaches his friend his unique song, as well as some new words in his native language, Spanish.
by Nina Jaffe
A well-told tale about a myth from one of the indigenous cultures of the West Indies that explains how a golden flower first brought water to the world and how Puerto Rico came to be.
by Lisette Marie Diaz Aponte
Meet Ramonita, an elderly woman living with Alzheimer's disease whose spirit is lifted with the help of a special friend. Readers are transported back in time to their childhood in Puerto Rico.
by Lizmer Montalvo Juliá
Teach the ABCs (written in Spanish and translated into English) along with Puerto Rico's food and culture. Children will learn about Puerto Rico's food, culture, and traditions with each letter of the alphabet. It has colorful and beautiful illustrations that will take the reader on an imaginary journey through the island's towns such as Guayama, Cabo Rojo, San Juan, Ponce, and Culebra.
by Carlos Aponte
A heartfelt story with a lesson about the true meaning of home. Living in Puerto Rico, Carlitos is a boy who lives with his mother, his Abuela, and Coco the cat. Life in his hometown is as cozy as can be, but the call of the capital city pulls Carlitos across the bay in search of his father.
by Lisa Bolivar Martinez
Good Night Puerto Rico features some of Puerto Rico's most famous sights, such as OLD San Juan, El Morro, El Yunque, Cuevas de Camuy, and many more. It is beautifully illustrated, and nostalgic for readers who hold the island of Puerto Rico dear in their hearts.
by Vicky Weber
Taíno Tales: The Legend of Coquí by Vicky Weber introduces readers to a cherished Puerto Rican legend inspired by the island's indigenous Taíno culture. Through vibrant storytelling and stunning illustrations, the book recounts the origins of the iconic coquí frog, a beloved symbol of Puerto Rico. This engaging tale weaves themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the deep connection between people and nature, making it a delightful way to explore Puerto Rican heritage and the enchanting folklore of the Taíno people. Perfect for young readers and families looking to celebrate cultural stories.
by Vicky Weber
The Secret of the Hummingbird is part of the Taino Tales series by Vicky Webber. In this story, children will learn about the Taino culture by retelling the Taino legend of how the hummingbird came to be.
by Ed Rodriguez
A Spanish-language tale about a little Taino boy who is too lazy to help his tribe, and so the Moon Goddess turns him into a tree frog. For him to turn back into a human, he must rescue his new frog friends from pirates. Kiki Kokí has a heartwarming message and is an adorable hero!
by Susan L. Roth & Cindy Trumbore
Parrot Over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore is a captivating nonfiction book that tells the incredible story of the Puerto Rican parrot, one of the world’s most endangered birds. Through stunning, layered collage art and poetic narration, the book explores the parrot’s history, the threats it faced, and the remarkable conservation efforts that helped bring it back from the brink of extinction. This award-winning book beautifully weaves together natural history and human determination, offering an inspiring tale for readers of all ages.
by Anna Orenstein-Cardona
The Tree of Hope: The Miraculous Rescue of Puerto Rico’s Beloved Banyan by Anna Orenstein-Cardona tells the heartwarming true story of the iconic banyan tree in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. When Hurricane Maria devastated the island, the beloved tree, a symbol of strength and unity for generations, was severely damaged. This beautifully illustrated book shares the inspiring journey of how the community came together to save and restore the tree, symbolizing resilience, hope, and the enduring spirit of Puerto Rico. Perfect for teaching children about environmental stewardship and the power of community.
Traveling to Puerto Rico?
Happy Reading!
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