theme: robots, imagination
And the Robot Went...by Michelle Robinson; illus. by Sergio Ruzzier
32 pages; ages 4-7
Clarion Books, 2017
The Nosy Fox looked in the box, and the Robot went ... Boooo.
But when Eager Beaver drops by and pulls the lever, the Robot goes Bang! And when Wicked Witch drops by, the Robot adds another sound.
What I like about this book: the cumulative noise! Each time someone comes by to fiddle with the robot a new noise is added until, at the end, the Robot goes ... (I won't ruin the fun for you!)
by Kim Norman; illus. by Agnese Baruzzi
32 pages; ages 3-7
Sterling Books, 2016
This is the boy
the bippity bot,
the rabbit-eared robot,
that Scott built.
It's Science Day, and Scott takes his robot to school.Told in cumulative house-that-jack-built style, this story builds as disaster after disaster happen - starting with the ants that get loose.
What I like about this book: Science Day is fun-filled, action-packed with never a dull moment. Those ants that get loose - don't worry, because someone has brought carnivorous plants. But when the frog gets hopping and the snake slithers loose, Scott knows he needs a hero - so he turns on the robot. I also like the end-papers because they inspire the imagination: what kind of robot could you build using these tools and materials?
by Mike Lowery
112 pages; ages 8 & up
Workman Publishing, 2017
Calling all junior agents, curious readers, artists, cat-lovers, and robot fans! This doodle-adventure is a joint mission between you (the reader) and the author. Bring a pencil become you'll need to add some doodley illustrations to this not-quite-finished graphic novel. Or is it a sketchbook?
But be advised: once you take ownership of this book you have signed onto a mission: to help Carl (a duck) discover why all the cats in town have gone berserk. They're acting like jerks! And what is it with that robot? Something smells fishy...
What I like about this book: it's a mission! And you have a say in how it looks by drawing your own illustrations. Grab some colored pencils to spice up the cartoons that are already there... and solve the mystery.
Beyond the Books:
Make a list of Robot Sounds. Cling, ding, klunk - how many can you think of? If you need some audio inspiration, click here. For a list of metalic-sounding words, check out this site.
Make a Robot out of cereal boxes and other things from the kitchen recycling bin. For ideas, check out this site.
Draw a cartoon about a robot and an animal - perhaps your pet cat, dog, goldfish, gecko, snake, or hissing cockroach. Do they help old ladies walk across the street? Save the world from disaster? Wreak havok? Here are some ideas for drawing cartoon robots.
Make a Robot Suit: All you need is a large paper grocery bag, a box for a helmet, some buttons, bottle caps, and stuff to glue on, scissors, crayons and markers, duct tape (of course) and maybe some foil. Get ideas for a paper bag vest here, and robot helmet here.
Today is PPBF (perfect picture book Friday), an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. Review copies provided by publishers.
I wish your fun robot post ran a few months ago when my daughter had to build a robot at school. You offered great picture books to reference and a slew of wonderful robot-building ideas. I'm adding these three books to my library list. I have a feeling I'm going to discover some new favorites!
ReplyDeleteWe're a robot-friendly family! FIRST robotics is a great resource for kids, now starting with Lego league for the youngest ones.
ReplyDeleteSo many robots, so little time! I'd better get cracking and find these books. They look like something my son would still enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific combo post! Over to my library catalog to find them!
ReplyDeleteRobots can be so much fun. I love the science day in The Bot that Scott Built. Everything seems to go crazy except the robot. Building a real robot would actually be fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat robot collection! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, love the robot books.
ReplyDeleteYou are really into robots. Kids love to make things and these three great books will encourage them to make a robot. Such and engaging book. Great activities!
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