R Is for Robot: A Noisy Alphabet

PreS-Gr 1—Various robots are cleverly depicted in colorful drawings that will capture the imaginations of young children in read-aloud or lap-sit settings. Complementing the clear bright, white sky and pleasing green lawn, which serve as a continuous background, is a crew of goofy robots in mostly angular shapes that present the 26 letters of the alphabet. Harmonious, vivid colors show them busy in their many activities as they build the letters with an assortment of tools and devices. There are several somewhat unusual and perhaps questionable words selected to represent the letters. For example, M is accompanied by the word "meep," and the art shows an embarrassed robot passing gas. For "N is for neigh," a robot is riding a robotic steed. The pictures exhibit careful attention to detail, giving children much to talk about, and they'll enjoy the creative alliteration and onomatopoeia. A spread with the complete alphabet follows the letter Z, with the gleeful robots admiring their work. All things considered, the sometimes weak text is heartily supplemented by the zany pictures.—Ellie Lease, Harford County Public Library, MD