Maritere Bellas’ bilingual children’s book, Tío Ricky Doesn’t Speak English / Tío Ricky no habla inglés, is a heartwarming and timely story that celebrates family, culture, and the beauty of language. With warmth and authenticity, Bellas captures a familiar experience for many bicultural and bilingual families—the moment when loved ones from different linguistic worlds come together.

Tío Ricky hit me right in the heart. If you grew up translating for your parents, you will see yourself in this story. It takes something so many of us lived (being the family translator) and shows kids the connection and strength that comes from it. The illustrations are so full of life, and my peques instantly got it. They saw that what feels like “work” for them sometimes is actually a superpower. MARITERE outdid herself on this one!

Tío Ricky Doesn't Speak English is a beautifully written and illustrated book that will resonate with bilingual readers.

In the story, a young boy has the role of interpreter placed on his shoulders when his uncle (Tío Ricky) comes to visit him from Puerto Rico. Understandably, there are times when he is not in the mood, and feels somewhat resentful that he needs to help in this way. However, when an urgent situation arises that only he can help with, the boy discovers that helping out feels good!

This book masterfully puts us in the shoes of the many bilingual kids to find themselves interpreting for family members. In such a relatable way, we see how this role can feel like a burden at times. It's hard to comprehend the power and responsibility we put in young kids' hands at times, when they are the only person who can facilitate communication between adults. However, I absolutely love the way that the book shows how speaking multiple languages truly is a superpower!

The illustrations are gorgeous, brightly colored and playful. I can't wait to put this book in my EL classroom and read it with my multilingual learners!

This bilingual book about Ricky beautifully captures a reality many Latino children know well —having to translate for family members. At first, Ricky feels frustrated, but he soon realizes that his bilingualism is a true gift, a bridge between worlds.

The story is authentic, relatable, and affirming. It validates the everyday experiences of immigrant families while teaching children that what once felt like a burden can actually be their superpower.

I really connected with this book because it reminded me of when I used to translate for my mom when I was younger. Now, I see something similar with my daughter, who has a tía from Colombia that only speaks Spanish. The book captures so well the ups and downs of the pressure to translate in different situations—something that feels relatable across generations. I especially appreciate how it gives voice to the emotions that come with translating, and I think it can help bilingual children both express their own feelings and develop empathy for others.