Little Robot by Ben Hatke   Published by First Second: New York, 2015

A lonely little girl finds a robot that has been bumped off a truck.  She inadvertently wakes it up and they become immediate friends.  They go on a journey through the junk yard exploring together.  Then the big mean robots want the little girl’s friend back, it is up to her to save her little robot.

• Appropriate target audience: Children ages 4-7 

• Strengths: Ben Hatke has created a charming main character in the little girl.  The illustrations are vibrant and tell a complete story with very limited dialogue.  Without words the  imagination of the reader brings life to the story and makes it accessible to many different ages and levels of readers.  Most children will understand the little girl’s loneliness, friendship, and bravery.

• Weaknesses: As listed above as a strength, the lack of words will not advance a child’s understanding of word sounds.  At this age, some teachers and parents may want books that help children to sound out words. Frankly, the imaginative storytelling factor far outweighs the need for words.

• Meaningful/creative uses: 1. Using items from a recycling bin, create your own robot out of parts.  The robots may then “play” together and discover new treasures outside.

2. Use Google’s Toontastic app and create a cartoon story with robots.  Make a display                    of the robots the children created from recycled goods with the cartoon story playing on              Apple TV above the display.

• Awards: Eisner Award Winner, 2016                                                                                            Illinois Gryphon Award, 2016                                                                                                                 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2016