And the Robot Went...

In this cumulative, rhythmic tale, a growing group of endearingly oddball characters tries to put together a robot; for every action, there is an equally evocative noise. “The Eager Beaver pulled the lever,” writes Robinson (Odd Socks), “the Wicked Witch flicked the switch, the Bear in a blazer fired the laser, and the Robot went... ‘Zap! Click! Bang! Boooo.” Their efforts don’t come together until the narrator, a girl in blonde pigtails, shows up with a big windup key and a take-charge attitude. Under her confident management, the robot fully animates, thanks everyone, and walks into the sunset, giving a final twist to the title and refrain. Ruzzier’s (This Is Not a Picture Book!) watercolor-and-ink scenes have a winsome silliness, although the actual assemblage of the robot isn’t as easy to track as the text. But it’s easy to forgive these moments because the cast is so delightfully unpredictable (such as the King of Dogs, wearing a crown of bones), and because of the almost parental pride that emanates from this motley crew. Ages 4–7. [em]Author’s agent: James Catchpole, Catchpole Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (May) [/em]