About Us

COKI’s WORLD is Co-created by Mary Markowsky & Alex Simmons.

That’s what COKI WIKI, the clever little frog believes. Like most wildlife, Coki knows our environment is very precious. She knows how many things are hurting the trees, rivers, plants, and wildlife. And though she’s oh so small, Coki knows something has to be done to save our world, and with the help of a few friends, she is willing to hop around the globe to get it done.

The Premise

The world is particularly amazing to children.
Children are naturally curious and amazed by the simple wonders of this planet, and that makes it easier for them to care about it. They can more easily embrace the idea that we are all one world dependent on each other.

And when they learn it’s in trouble, they want to feel they can help keep it safe and beautiful. In Coki’s World, children will explore and discover ways they can help save the world. Our Audience is the eyes wide open range of 6 – 9 years.

Our hero, Coki Wiki!

COKI’s WORLD is Co-created by Mary Markowsky & Alex Simmons.

That’s what COKI WIKI, the clever little frog believes. Like most wildlife, Coki knows our environment is very precious. She knows how many things are hurting the trees, rivers, plants, and wildlife. And though she’s oh so small, Coki knows something has to be done to save our world, and with the help of a few friends, she is willing to hop around the globe to get it done.

The Premise

The world is particularly amazing to children.
Children are naturally curious and amazed by the simple wonders of this planet, and that makes it easier for them to care about it. They can more easily embrace the idea that we are all one world dependent on each other.

And when they learn it’s in trouble, they want to feel they can help keep it safe and beautiful. In Coki’s World, children will explore and discover ways they can help save the world. Our Audience is the eyes wide open range of 6 – 9 years.

Mary Markowsky

Dr. Mary Markowsky has been supporting educators to bring the best of technology into their classrooms to enhance learning for over the past twenty years. Her global outreach has taken her to work on education technology projects including South Africa, Singapore, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Caribbean. Mary has authored literacy software for IBM and has worked for Scholastic Publishing.

Dr. Markowsky has extensive teaching experience including classroom, literacy specialist and special education. She was awarded a Doctorate in Education Technology from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York and is listed in Who’s Who in American Education.

Mary was introduced to the coqui frog while preparing to provide training for teachers in Puerto Rico. Every time she would be speaking to her training partner on the phone, Mary would hear a singing sound in the background. Cuca her training partner told her that it was the coqui frog singing.  Upon her arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cuca presented Mary with a souvenir coqui frog which became a symbol of their friendship.

Alex Simmons,
Writer, Teacher,
Guest Speaker

Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant.  He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, DC Comics, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa.

Simmons has served on panels, and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world.

For over 20 years, Simmons has been a member of arts and education boards for the New York State Alliance for Arts Education, the Department for Cultural Affairs, and is on the State Department Speakers Program.  Simmons has taught master classes oon comics and the creative arts in several countries.  He’s currently an advisor for the African Cartoon Center in Nigeria.

As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, Bronx Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few.

He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.

www.SimmonsHereAndNow.com