Runaway Radish/El Rabano Que Escapo Book

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!