Fiction - Science Fiction, Fiction - General & Miscellaneous

Robot Zot!

Name: Robot Zot!
Author: Jon Scieszka
ISBN: 9781416963943

by Jon Scieszka, David Shannon

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Overview

From the minds of Scieszka and Shannon comes a tale of a quixotic robot determined to conquer the earth. The only problem is that the earth he lands on is a suburban kitchen and he is three inches tall. Robot Zot, the fearless and unstoppable warrior, leaves a trail of destruction as he encounters blenders, toasters, and televisions. But when he discovers the princess...a pink cell phone...his mission takes a new course. Robot Zot must learn how to be a hero - in the name of true love.

Synopsis

Publishers Weekly

Scieszka and Shannon take a detour from their Trucktown series to pay homage to another object of childhood fascination. Robot Zot, a malevolent red contraption, crash lands “into the heart of the dangerous Earth Army” (a backyard) and makes his way into a fully equipped kitchen. There, it’s revealed that Zot is about the size of an iPod. After fending off “attacks” from a toaster and a television, Zot faces his toughest challenge yet: rescuing the amazing “Queen of all Earth” (an attractive toy cellphone). He and his sidekick (a cross between a snail and a conquistador’s helmet—one of a few references to the Quixotic nature of Zot’s mission) save the queen and escape while a bewildered homeowner surveys the aftermath and blames his dog. Scieszka laces his action-filled narrative with rhymes and repetitive robot phrases (“Robot Zot—never fall./ Robot Zot—conquers all!”). Shannon’s acrylic artwork offers bright colors and plenty of humor (a slightly anthropomorphized blender’s white buttons fall out like teeth under Zot’s attack). This comically self-deluded protagonist proves that fierce warriors of any size can still be brought to their knees by love. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)

About the Author, Jon Scieszka

Jon Scieszka is the author of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, the Time Warp Trio series, The Stinky Cheese Man, and a truckload of other books that inspire kids to want to read. His work as an elementary school teacher and as founder of a literacy initiative for boys (www.guysread.com) drove him to create Trucktown, a crazy, fun action series for the youngest readers.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

Robot Zot is eager to conquer new worlds, but unfortunately, this pint-sized Napoleon is only about three inches tall. In this mission, Zot risks a dangerous foray into deep enemy territory; namely, a nicely equipped suburban kitchen. In the midst of vigorous battle with toasters and television, our robot hero falls head-over-tiny-heels in love with an astonishingly beautiful "Queen of all Earth," more recognizable to us as a toy cellphone. With renewed purpose, he vanquishes all the common household monsters, saves the day (and, of course, his queen), and departs for his next intergalactic adventure. A thoroughly enjoyable picture book sci-fi fantasy.

Publishers Weekly

Children's Literature - Suzanna E. Henshon

Robot Zot jumps out of the spaceship and into the house. No one can stop Robot Zot. He strikes and crashes his Attack Ship into the heart of the dangerous Earth Army. Then he cries out bravely, "Robot Zot—never fall. Robot Zot—conquer all!" Robot Zot challenges the appliances in a modern kitchen, including the coffee maker and blender. Zot defeats these machines and then takes on the formidable toaster. Then he prepares for battle with another insulting enemy. He challenges this gigantic foe with a well-placed punch, and the TV falls apart immediately. But at that moment Zot sees the most amazing Earth person ever. Brrring! Brrring! Rings this queen. For the first time, Zot has a new feeling; he is smitten by this lovely cell phone and determined to save her from the guards. Singing the victory song, he takes her back to his spaceship, only to run into Earth's Commander General, a watch dog. Soon Zot and his queen zoom off to distant galaxies. In this humorous story, children will read about Zot, a likable and adventurous robot; the illustrations are equally entertaining. Reviewer: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D.

Kirkus Reviews

Robot Zot invades Earth, vowing to destroy all earthly enemies-mostly kitchen appliances, as Zot measures a whopping four inches high. Scieszka and Shannon combine forces to deliver an hilarious, action-packed picture book characterized by grandiose face-offs, monosyllabic robot rants and wham-bam-boom pacing. Boys finally get the unadulterated action, hyperbolic humor and punchy language (Zot challenges, Zot blasts, Zot scans!) they love. Boys and girls will giggle as the little robot misinterprets a familiar world, the suburban home, calling the toaster the "Earth's shiny Captain" and a baby's toy phone "the Queen of all Earth." They will identify with the diminutive droid as he alters the scope of everyday surroundings. The kitchen morphs into a vast battlefield, the backyard into a beast-infested wilderness. The vibrant illustrations capture Zot's skewed perspective and misguided heroics in freeze-frame shots. Bright oranges, reds and yellows dominate the otherwise metallic palette and provide tough colors for tough kids. Sophisticated comedy, challenging vocabulary and pithy writing offer undetectable, beneficial learning opportunities, like zucchini hidden in a yummy cupcake. Must...Have...Robot...Zot! (Picture book. 3-8)