Review by Booklist Review
This title, produced in conjunction with Yes magazine, introduces robots that work (defusing bombs, assembling cars, assisting surgeons, exploring Mars) and play (riding camels, kicking soccer balls). The short chapters are divided into three categories: The World of Robots, which gives an overview and a history of the industry; Robots at Work; and the Robotic Future. Each section is packed with fascinating information, entertaining cartoon graphics, and numerous full-color photographs. The text is hip and accessible; robots are often referred to as 'bots, for example. Browsers will be drawn to the amazing photographs of robots in action across the Earth and in space, as well as images of famous robots from the big screen, such as R2-D2 from Star Wars, Sonny from I, Robot, and Rodney from Robots. Sidebars on colored backgrounds enhance the text. A glossary and index conclude this well-organized and engaging text on a popular topic.--Yusko, Shauna Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This appealing introduction to the rapidly changing world of robots for middle-grade readers describes simply what they do, how they work, current uses and future prospects. Opening with a reminder that real-life robots are not yet as accomplished as those in science fiction or the movies, the editors of Yes provide a quick summary of robotic history, from Leonardo da Vinci in the 1400s through mid-20th-century innovations, before going on in more detail about the variety of robots being developed and used today. The material is up-to-date, even including recent discoveries by the Mars rovers. Although no sources are given, the acknowledgements reveal a wide variety of informants. With breezy text, Woo's cartoon-like drawings interspersed with color photographs, plentiful text boxes and a new topic on nearly every two-page spread, this is sure to attract browsers as well as those with a more sustained curiosity about this engaging topic. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
