Review by Booklist Review
K-Gr. 2. In this title in the Green Light Reader series, an African American boy narrates a story about his personal robot, Cecil. Speaking in short sentences and basic vocabulary, he tells all the ways the robot participates in his life--by playing tag, helping the teacher, giving him a ride home from school, and, of course, cleaning his room. After each scenario, the boy repeats the phrase, But this is not the best thing my robot can do. This repetition will engage new readers and encourage them to guess what it is that the robot does best. Many children will guess that Cecil is best at being the boy's friend, and they will enjoy seeing Cecil respond to the boy's affection: Flash! Spark! Whirl! Pop! Fehlau's bright, stylized illustrations have a festive feel and infuse the fantastical situations with lighthearted fun. A ready robot puppet activity follows the story, and a meet the author and illustrator section rounds out the book. --Kathy Broderick Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-In the first title, a versatile birthday gift plays games, performs tricks, bakes, and cleans. But with each activity, the child narrator indicates that this "is not the best thing my robot can do." That refrain will have readers turning the pages of simple text just to discover the robot's most valued trait-friendship. A picnic story that is perfect fare for first-grade readers, Pond is about two friends whose outing is delayed when one doesn't feel well. Fortunately, Tess Tiger's umbrella and fan help Herbert Hippo cool off. She volunteers to go back for the picnic basket that he has forgotten. Returning with lunch in hand, she has a momentary fright when Herbert appears to be missing. But he's merely taking a dip and emerges from the water with an endearing big-toothed grin. Both titles have sufficient white space, illustrations that are pleasingly playful, and a craft activity. Nice additions for the easy-reader shelves.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
