A Tin Man–like robot with a broken heart finds purpose in one of two books this fall by Lucas (Halibut Jackson
) to feature an ingenuous creature navigating an uncertain world (the other is Candlewick's Peanut
, about a confused monkey). In a depersonalized factory, working robots attempt to fix what remains of the central character's heart—two springs and an open door—before sending him to the scrap heap with “all the other old machines.” When snow falls, a bluebird lands on his shoulder, and the robot builds her a nest in the space where his heart used to be. Rejuvenated, the robot carries the bluebird south across industrial wastelands to rejoin her multicolored flock. In characteristically elaborate, warmly lit illustrations, Lucas uses sharp geometrical forms as the basis for his urban scenes; against this backdrop, the bird's more organic form is a welcome contrast. Even with a corny line or two, this book's genuine sweetness will easily win over readers.Ages 4–up. (Nov.)
