Rafi and Rosi (I Can Read Book 3)

Title and description all day it’s Spanish but the book itself is ENGLISH with a few Spanish words sprinkled throughout. This is extremely disappointing.

Rafi and Rosi have a charming sibling relationship in which Rafi is the wise older brother who tricks Rosi into believing that he can perform magic. Of course, these various supernatural feats turn out to be scientific facts regarding magnetism, bioluminescence, and plant growth. The scientific aspect of the story appeals to young readers who may feel that they're being let in on a 'grown-up' secret and adds an educational twist to the book that appeals to parents and teachers.I particularly enjoy the tender and spunky characterization of Rafi and Rosi. Rosi is naive and trusting, but she also angers when her brother tricks her, and reveals a personal strength in the last chapter, thus making her a typically complex 5 year old. She also has the delicate manners of Shirley Temple without the contrived sweetness. Rafi is a boastful know-it-all, but he genuinely loves Rosi, and this affection comes through in the light-filled illustrations. In fact, one of the great strengths of this book is its gorgeous pictorial execution. Many easy readers have repetitive layouts, but Delacre's pushes the boundaries of the format and includes richly detailed stories within the illustrations. Looking through the pictures is a delight that immerses the reader in brilliant tropical colors and scenes.This is my favorite of Delacre's books. The stories are entertaining, the characters are well-developed, and Puerto Rico is beautifully shown in the illustrations.