Radio Man/Don Radio: A Story in English and Spanish

by Arthur Dorros, Sandra Marulanda Dorros (Translator)

As he travels with his family of migrant farmworkers, Diego relies on his radio to provide him with companionship

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Spanish Literature, Cultural

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[RLL 520 Sharonda Kimbrough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just so in awe of all of the fantastic illustrations in the books I have been reading over the past few weeks. This was a nice story about Diego and his family who are migrant workers in the U.S. Diego takes his radio everywhere he goes with his family as they travel from state to state and farm to farm meeting new people and having new experiences. There was more Spanish in this book than in the previous books that I have read. After re-inspecting the back of the book, I discovered it was a full story written in both English and Spanish. Although I am not and ESL teacher, I think I could pass this book along to some of my friends that are ESL teachers or friends raising bilingual children. This book is for an early grade level reader, probably first or second grade. I would recommend it as an easy read with great illustrations and full glossary in the back.

[Mary]

This heartwarming story, presented in both Spanish and English, offers a glimpse into the lives of Chicano migrant workers from a child's point of view. The book also includes bilingual poetry, a glossary, and behind-the-scenes information about a farmworkers' theater and a children's radio station.

[Hannah Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radio Man is a story told in both English and Spanish about a family who travels around to different fields and farms in search of work. The little boy in the family, Diego has a friend, David whose family does the same thing. David calls Diego "Radio Man" because he's always listening to his radio. The boys have one more day together until Diego's family leaves. They help their families out with the labor and help support everyone. The music coming from Diego's radio soothed their tired bodies. The next day the boys said bye and as Diego and his family drove off they were listening to the radio. Diego learned many things as his family traveled for work. His grandpa shared stories from his childhood. When Diego got to the cherry farm he wondered if he would see his friend, but he didn't. His family drove all over the place and saw several fascinating things. When his family reached a farm in Washington the radio offered to answer callers and let them speak, Diego called in and said hello to his friend David back home, and David was listening.


I liked this book because it was offered in two different languages and it was a fun easy to read story that talked about the value of friendship. This book would be good for readers transitioning from the smaller children books to small chapter books.


I would use this book in my class to teach my kids about different cultures and get them introduced to a new language. I can explain that some people have to look for work the way Diego's family does.

[Lisa Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Radio Man (1993) by Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Sandra Marulanda Dorros, at the Mount Vernon New York Public Library. The main character, a boy, travels with his family from Texas to Arizona to California to Washington state. The plot weaves various story threads together: following a family engaged in migrant harvesting; listening to bilingual radio stations in each new place; keeping in touch with family and friends as they move; and enjoying discovering new things (Gila monster, red wood forest, etc.).

The book has a clear layout with dual languages parallel, divided by a small illustration, on the left side. The facing illustration on each spread is realistic with actual people of varied appearance and landscapes, depicting what is referenced in the text. While the text is dual language, a few Spanish words are also integrated into the English text (and there is a glossary at the end). It could have been possible to integrate all of the same words in English into the Spanish text, thus creating a truly parallel text.

I very much appreciate the map at the back of the book which shows the family’s travel and harvests.

Because of the development of cell phones and music streaming, the use of a radio may seem historical. Adult readers may need to explain the radio to children.

While adult readers will value the bilingual text and the positive depiction of children in migrant farm labor families, child readers will be engaged by the new experiences and by the depiction of the radio phenomenon.

[Madeline Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gives some children a different perspective from their own. It may give other children a sense of comfort because they relate to the book. I love how the author put the story in both English and Spanish. I would read this book to a class.

[Kayla Angulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book! I really liked how it is provided for English and Spanish speakers.

[Sheila R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a migrant family and a boy named Diego, who brings his radio everywhere he goes. The story is presented in English and Spanish, with colorful and sweet illustrations.

[Tym · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to see things from the perspective of the children of migrant workers and to see the great variety of places they move to for work

[Laura]

This book would be great to read in a bilingual classroom. It would be great for Spanish speaking ELLs because the story is told both in Spanish and English. Not only that, but the English part has a lot of Spanish words and phrases in it that are then translated into English in the story. This means both students that are not yet fluent in English and English speaking students could benefit from hearing this story.

This book is a look into the life of a boy whose family members are migrant farm workers. It is a whole culture that many people are unaware even exists unless they are exposed to it first hand. Students whose families move around a lot could possibly relate to the boy in the story. This book could also be used to talk about the culture, landscape, vegetation of the southwest (mostly). The story roadtrips from Texas, through Arizona and California, all the way to Washington.

[Chanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book is translated in English and Spanish which is perfect for ESOL students. It talks about a boy and his family going through different cities working and trying to make ends meet. Once his family finishes they have to leave and go to another town to find more work. The boy likes to listen to the Spanish radio stations while traveling. It bonds their families together. There was a special friend that the boy meet while working with his family and he lost contact with him. At the end, he used his radio to find him and they reconnected. I like that this book has a Spanish glossary in the back to define some of the words. I would use this story to talk about the culture and include some of the ESOL students by asking if they experienced anything like this before.

[Tanya Wadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We liked this story of migrant farm workers... paints an interesting picture in words and pictures of what their life is like. Kids give it 5 stars, I agree.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy book, good for read aloud.

[Courtney W]

this was a copnfusing book.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice story about migrant workers from Mexico

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Good empathy.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Fantasy
I personally loved this book! I plan to use this book for my classroom library! It's written in English and Spanish, and the illustrations are very colorful and descriptive. The characters focus more on only one particular cultural group but it enhances the characters even more.I enjoyed this plot because it didn't label any character as either 'good' or 'bad'. This allowed the characters to seem so realistic and it allows many students to use as a mirror as well as a window. The story begins as they Diego and his family often travel from place to place due to their work situation (picking crops), during his new adventure he lost contact with a friend, David and he uses the radio as a way to explore the different areas he travels to and at the end he uses the radio to find his friend.