Boy and Bot

Imaginative and sweet-natured, Dyckman’s picture-book debut centers on the relationship between a boy and a robot, whose mutual generosity embodies the very best that friendship has to offer. Scruffy haired Boy and red, bullet-shaped Bot hit it off immediately after they meet in the forest. But when a rock accidentally turns off Bot’s power switch, Boy jumps into caregiver mode, taking Bot home, feeding him applesauce, reading him a story, and tucking him in for the night. And when Bot is inadvertently reactivated and finds Boy asleep, he reciprocates the only way he knows how, giving Boy oil, reading him an instruction manual, and bringing him a spare battery. Yaccarino’s (All the Way to America) brightly colored gouache illustrations and chunky characterizations are filled with affection and create a warm and cheery environment from first page to last. Dyckman’s pared-down prose gives the role-reversal story just enough drama, humor, and robot-inflected dialogue (“Boy! You-are-fixed!” cheers Bot when Boy wakes up) to keep children entertained for many re-readings. Ages 1–4. Agent: Scott Treimel, Scott Treimel NY. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Apr.)