Little Robot Alone, written by Patricia MacLachlan, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary: This slow-moving picture book introduces the reader to Little Robot, who lives a peaceful but lonely life in his house on a hill. One night, he dreams of a sleek metal companion and sets about making that image a reality. Working hard to complete his project and persevering when his plans don’t work, Little Robot creates himself a friend, Little Dog, who immediately brightens up his life. Soft watercolor illustrations depict Little Robot and his surroundings as quite different from the typical image of the shiny, futuristic robot: Little Robot comes across more as a modern Humpty Dumpty, with a round body, an electrical port for charging his battery, and a toaster for a head, while his home is an idyllic nature scene complete with birds and squirrels on rolling hills.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This title isn’t flashy or eye-catching, but it is worthwhile for its important messages. This is truly a story about perseverance and friendship, and could be used to launch discussions about either topic. When Little Robot’s first attempt at building a companion fails, he doesn’t get frustrated; instead, “Little Robot thought hard. He had more to do.” This demonstration of grit would be an excellent read-aloud for any group of students engaged in maker activities who might be tempted to give up at the first sign of failure. Little Robot’s quest for companionship, as well, could be used as an example of the importance of friendship.