Written by: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: David Shannon
Published by: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2009, fiction
Themes: Humor, Robots, Action and adventure,
From the Jacket: Robot Zot— Wham Bot! Robot Zot crush Lot! Robot Zot will conquer Earth… unless he finds true love. The jacket summary says: Arriving in a suburban kitchen, their first stop on a mission to conquer planet Earth, tiny but brave Robot Zot and his mechanical sidekick, Bot, battle fearsome kitchen appliances.
Why I love it: I have the pleasure of introducing another gift to boys from Jon Scieszka. *Yay!*
Boys and reluctant readers will relate to the humor in this book. As it says on the bio that Jon Scieszka is the “first ever National Ambassador for young people’s literature. He is the founder of a literacy initiative for boys ( guysread.com ), which helps him carry out his mission on Earth: getting kids to read.” This book’s text is easy enough for first graders and early readers and the illustrations explain the battle plan. One thinks the Robot is alive until the very end when it is seen with a toy phone rigged up to look like a girl, and it is carried away on a garbage truck to conquer other galaxies.
Resources: http://authors.simonandschuster.net/tagged_assets/robotzotactivities_6427.pdf Robot Zot faced many fearsome foes on Earth, including a blender, a vacuum, and a TV. Can you think of something in your home that Robot Zot might think was an enemy—for example, a lamp? Draw a picture of it. There are also pages of mazes and spot the difference. Other activities parents can do is to talk about Robot Zot’s view of Earth. Found here: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/robot-zot Why does he see such ordinary things as monsters? He doesn’t seem to know much about Earth. Do you think he would have attacked so ferociously if he knew more about Earth before landing? In the end Robot Zot escapes safely with his queen. Do you think he’s really a hero? What makes someone brave or heroic?
For more books with resources please visit Perfect Picture Books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. And if you’d like to be whisked away through cyber space to the resource page and the list of more marvelous recommended perfect picture books just click on the perfect picture book badge on the right.
I am so happy to announce that the winner of the post Taconi And Claude –Double Trouble was “This kid reviews books”. *Yay!*
*Throws confetti* and *throws charms* (just thought I’d throw something extra in there to see if you were awake.)
Erik, please send me the snail mail address you’d like the book to go to and I’ll make sure it gets to you. Send it to Clarikebowmanjahn at yahoo dot com. That address is my business address and I will be sure and get it.
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Jon Scieska is such a super author, that robot book sounds perfect for boys. Congrats to Erik!
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Yeah, Jon does his magic once again.
Yeah, I can’t wait till Erik read this review. I’ll wait till Saturday and if I Don’t hear from him, I’ll email him. Don’t want him to miss out. 🙂
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A boy book! Yay, yahooiiee!!!!!! This sounds fabulous! We need to write more boy books! I will welcome this into our home. Congrads Erik!
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Yep, good ole Jon. He can be depended on. 🙂
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We have been enjoying “Stinky Cheese Man.” Thanks for all these wonderful recommendations!
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Thanks, Kirsten. I have one more Jon Sciezcka’s book to go. Then I’ll have to find a new favorite. 🙂
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How could you go wrong with Scieszka? Although I haven’t read this yet, so I must correct that immediately!
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Yes, one can not go wrong with Jon. I just luv him. 🙂
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Sounds like a great adventure!
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OH! It is! It twists and turns and when you’re through you’re delighted. 🙂
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Love Jon Scieska! This sounds like another great boy book full of action and adventure. Love what he’s doing with guysread.com . Great resources too!
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Thanks, Patricia.
I think being the ambassador for literacy is a wonderful job and my hat goes off to him. 🙂
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Jon Scieszka and David Shannon make a great team! I love David Shannon’s work. This is a book I haven’t heard of before and I’m so glad you shared it!
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Thanks, Heather.
This team is made in writer’s heaven. That’s for sure. 🙂
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Carlike, I too LOVE LOVE LOVE Jon Scieska and his “boy books.” Robots fighting kitchen appliances is brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
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Thanks, Tracy. I have a public crush on Jon Sciezcka myself which I finally announced a week ago. I agree that’s he’s brilliant. He just does everything right. Write? 😉
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Robots sounds like a fun treat for boys and girls alike.
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Yes, really.
We mustn’t leave the girls out.
Thanks, Stacy. 🙂
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Jon Scieska’s books are always great. I will add this one to my list for the library. Thanks for the review.
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Your welcome, Penny.
You’ll like it I’m sure. 🙂
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Jon Scieszka writes awesome books – this is another of them. Great fun too. We need books for boys, to get them HOOKED on reading. Jon and Max Anderson do their share!!
Congrats Jon. Another sure boy-pleaser.
Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
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I’ll have to try Max Anderson next. I’m not familiar with him. Does he write picture books? or chapter books?
Thanks for commenting, Margot. 🙂
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YAYY! Thank you for picking me! 🙂 YAYYY!
Great choice! It seems really funny! I like the idea of a robot attacking silly things! 😉
Erik
P.S. I will email you my address!
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Yes, congrats Erik. It was Dr.Random Google.org that picked you. But I”m so happy it did pick you. I know you’ll like the book. 🙂
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All his books are wonderful and I posted your link on my FB Fan Page!
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OH! thanks, Sandra. I appreciate it. I saw my stats reflected that I had a few views from face book. I hadn’t linked my PPBF yet. 🙂
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Jon Scieszka is a favorite in my shelf, Clarike. I’ve seen this a few times at B&N. Glad to have found someone who has read it. Will check this one out next chance I get. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, I’m sure you’ll like it when you get the chance to read it. 🙂
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