The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
My school read this as part of a ‘One Book One School’ program. The kids were super excited to get their hands on this one. I was a little surprised because we are a middle school. I would have thought some would see this as too young a book, but they were thrilled.
Roz, a robot, washes ashore on an island after the ship carrying her and many other robots sinks during a hurricane. She is first found by the otters, who turn her on, and from then on, she discovers her new home. At first, all of the animals are scared of her and consider her a monster. She has to prove she is not a danger to them. Granted, she did take out the majority of a goose family early on, but she did raise the surviving egg as her own. Super sweet!
I loved how Roz learns to speak to the animals and works with them to create a home for her and her baby gosling. She is a fantastic help to the animals on this island because there is very little that she needs, but so much she can provide. She has a tiny home she is willing to share; she grows a garden she can share because she doesn’t eat; and she can work hard without tiring. She really is fantastic. It is a charming book.
The ending does lead into a second book. I believe that there are three books total at this point. I know there is a movie based on this book as well, but I almost never see it. I always say I will, but it never happens.
Five out of Five Magical Coffee Cups
Literary Coffee 