Children's Book Translation

Question

I am currently reading Pepita habla dos veces Pepita talks twice. The book is set up so that the reader has Spanish and English on the same page.

Here is my example & question:

"Afuera, bajó la lonchera al suelo y cerró...."

The English translation:

Outside, she put her lunch box down and closed..."

Is 'al suelo' really necessary or could that be omitted in normal conversation?

Thanks for responses....

Answer 1

I don't think its completely neccesary, but spanish can be a very specific language and it's probably best if you say it as it is written in the book.

Thanks for the response - Ann-Frances, Dec 8, 2010