Welcome in Fall with a Good Book -- My Little Blue Robot by Stephen T. Johnson (Review)

 

Buy now for only $22.99.

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, August 2012

Novelty, 16 pages

ISBN-10: 1442454164

ISBN-13: 9781442454163

Grades: P - 3

Synopsis:

It’s a book, a toy, and a robot! This build-it-yourself book that Newsweek called “Toy of the Year” is all of these things and more.

This book is more than a book—it’s a robot waiting to be made! The sturdy, ultrathick cardboard pages contain all the necessary robot components as well as clear instructions for assembly. The flat pieces fit together with slots and tabs, which means there’s no glue and no mess—just a lot of robot fun!

Budding engineers will enjoy this engaging book that encourages them to build and play.

This book contains small pieces that could be a choking hazard, and is not intended for children under age 3.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

First, let me start off by saying that this book would make the perfect gift for that special little boy in your life this upcoming holiday season.  What boy doesn't like robots  or building things?  This book is a three in one gift.  It starts off by being a great book about robots, but then the young reader will have a blast constructing their very own robot with the sturdy cardboard pieces that are included in the book.  Once the robot is put together, they will have a blast playing with their creations.  I know as I spent an afternoon with their unique book with my nephew, who is a robot fanatic.  When he is not playing with his robot figures, he is constructing things out of blocks.  

 

I find that when he comes to visit and stay overnight, that the last thing he wants to do is read.  When I talked with other friends who have young boys, they too found the same problem with their children. Their daughters loved to snuggle up and read, but when it came to reading with their sons, they would much rather play with their action figures in bed, until it was time for lights out.  

But, after I showed this book to my nephew, he couldn't wait to put the cardboard robot together.  In order to put the robot together, we had to read the easy to understand instructions which make up the book.  Then, once it is put together this retro-feeling robot provided hours of entertainment for my nephew.  He especially loved putting the heart in and hearing the robot say "Hello, you are my friend. Let's play."  My husband walked into the room when we were putting it together and wondered why he wasn't called in earlier to help.  As I left the two boys :-) to play with their newly created robot, I could hear them making robot sounds from the other room.  And, when they were done playing, the robot could be disassembled and the pieces shortly neatly back inside the book for easy transport.  

Whenever my nephew comes to visit, he always asks for this book.  And, when Christmas rolls around, he will have a surprise under the tree -- My Little Red Fire Truck -- another 3 in one delight by author, Stephen T. Johnson.  Little girls shouldn't feel left out, as he also created My Little Pink Princess Purse especially for them.  This is one book you definitely have to check out and pick up for your little ones.

 

 

About the Author:

 

 

Stephen T. Johnson is the creator of such well-known children’s books as the Publishers Weekly bestseller My Little Red Toolbox, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner My Little Yellow Taxi, the Caldecott Honor and New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year Alphabet City, and the New York Times Best Illustrated and ALA Notable Book A Is for Art. His drawings and paintings are in numerous private and permanent collections, including the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and a mosaic mural at the DeKalb Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, New York. Johnson and his family live in Lawrence, Kansas. Visit him at StephenJohnsonStudio.com.

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.