Runaway Radish:El Rabano Que E

by Janice Levy, Eida de la Vega (Translator), Sydney Wright (Illustrator)

Don Pedro wants to care the best radish sculpture for the Nigh of the Radishes. One radish won't cooperate. Written in a style reminicent of the Gingerbread Man. Based on the annual festival in Oaxaca, Mexico. Bilingual edition in English and Spanish.

Genres: Picture Books, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2008

Reviews

[Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last page made me take one star away: not a good ending for children. This really is just a radish version of The Gingerbread Man.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime in the Parks - June 29, 2021

Fun bilingual book that combines the gingerbread man tale with the radish-carving festival in Oaxaca, Mexico.

[Peggy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book to review. When I received it, it was basically the dust jacket stapled together with the pages of the book. I'm not sure why - perhaps to keep me from re-selling the book for profit? Whatever. It simply makes the book very flimsy and definitely something that will not last with children.

When my son first saw this book he asked me to read it to him right away which is a good sign because it means the artwork appeals to children. The story of a runaway radish is reminiscent of the runaway gingerbread man, but with a cultural twist - which was nice. My son asked me questions about the burro and about the mariachis (sp?) so that was a wonderful way to introduce those concepts. The books is written in both English and Spanish, but I only read the English version to my son (age 3). I can certainly see how this format could be very valuable in a biligual setting or when teaching English or Spanish.

He asked for the book again the next night which is also a good sign - the story must appeal to young children.

In my opinion, this book was ok - I didn't love it or hate it. As I said my son seemed to enjoy it - otherwise I probably would have dismissed it - I didn't particularly like the artwork and the story was just ok. Also, our copy is already folded in half - I don't think it will last long with a three-year-old.

The publisher did send a catalog of the other works along with this book. I think I would have enjoyed any of their other books more than I did this one. Although I cannot speak to the quality of the othe stories, I think their standard for artwork seems to be very high. You also have the option of ordering the books in either English and Spanish or in a single language.

[Stef · Rating 1 out of 5]

In all my years of teaching...this book by far has the worst ending! As a NYC public school teacher who is part of a school environment where we must all read the same book of the month for all grades...I had encountered this book one year reading it to my 5th grade class of 38 students...nope, not a typo...lol Needless to say, I was really upset that the book was not appropriate for the 5th graders as it was too babyish and the ending...I have NEVER-EVER- had a more perplexed look upon my face NOR did my rather vocal/opinionated students! They were stunned silent for a mere minute as we were like...what the???? I've expressed my views about this book and now years later...it is yet recycled as a book of the month...this time around I have a kindergarten class...I seriously fear of having a "Is it a he or she b/c it's a queen, right?" and 'Is it dead?" I don't feel like discussing death of a radish with a kindergarten class...nor would I want to expose my own child to this story. Oy!

UPDATE: So a quick background of my kindergarten class...it's an ICT setting with two teachers and a para. My co-teacher/friend read my review-actually got a notification from goodreads that I wrote a review...and curiosity brewed. She ended up having the luxury of reading aloud this book. Our wonderful para was in the room (she wasn't "borrowed" for the umpteenth) and they both had the SAME REACTION I DID! OUR kindergarten students were also left with this, "What the..." look. And I predicted it...one of them did ask if the radish is dead!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG my co-teacher told them that it's dried up...so make sure you eat your vegetables before they dry up! I seriously am tearing from laughing. You just gotta read it and I bet you...you'll have that same look!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a Spanish version of the gingerbread man. It is written in both English and Spanish. The artwork is a little odd, but still fun. The radish doesn't want to be carved into a sculpture so he runs away causing all sorts of problems and ends up with a long line of people chasing after him. In the end though he does get captured and carved into a queen radish and then thrown away a few days later. So was he a she to begin with? How can you tell on a radish? My boys didn't like the ending at all. They thought the rest of the book was "kind of good" but the ending just left them staring at it was an unpleasant look on their faces. Won't be reading this one again.

[Yarima Morfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don Pedro is trying to win a radish sculpting contest. So he gathered around all of his radishes and created amazing pieces. Until, one sly little radish decided to run away and he yells, "Places to go, people to see, out of my way, you cant carve me." Now, in how much trouble can one little radish get into? You'd be surprised, but it involves a burro, a mariachi band, a cook. Such a great combination of people. Children would be able to read along after they catch on to the re-occurring phrase, and also learn some Spanish words at the same time! The illustrations are outrageous and hilarious. Overall, it is a fun story to read.

[Jaxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We got this in Spanish at the library last week. It's funny - especially the part where my mom sings like the rabano.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on festival in Mexico
Written like Gingerbread Man
Bilingual
Festivals
Folktales

[Terry]

Fun to read, and educational too.