Review Detail

When I was a kid, I watched EL CHAVO DEL 8 religiously. Sonia Sander adapts the popular Mexican and Latin American television show into a bilingual picture book. Each page includes an illustration, as well as the Spanish and English translation of the text. It is a great idea for kids who are learning either language to be able to see the translation on the page.

The story of A ROBOT FRIEND follows El Chavo as he borrows a robot from the neighborhood inventor. The grown-ups of the neighborhood take the robot for chores instead of letting the children play with it. It's up to El Chavo and friends to take them back.

What I liked: When I was a kid, I always looked forward to seeing El Chavo, Quico, and Junior on t.v. Chavo gets into lots of shenanigans. He's the driving force behind the action to get the robot back from the adults. Though he's often the end of the joke, he doesn't let that stop him. It is a classic take on children vs. grown-ups, and what children are capable of doing.

What left me wanting: Perhaps it's because I've seen the original show, but there were some elements that are missing from these translations. El Chavo deals with a lot of poverty and the fact that El Chavo is an orphan. The books don't encompass that, and perhaps that's because it wants to reach a wider demographic.

Verdict: El Chavo-- A Robot Friend is a funny story of neighborhood kids and their robot. The dual language text is perfect for Spanish and English speakers.