The Wild Robot – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Artificial intelligence, goose, wildlife & climate-change.
Children’s book title: The Wild Robot.
Children’s author: Peter Brown.
Genre: Science fiction.
Published by: Piccadilly Press.
ISBN: 9781800789913.
Recommended for children aged: 7-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback October 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Children who are interested in AI and robots.
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Our review:
Artificial intelligence, an orphaned goose, wildlife, and climate change storms entwine to show loss, disaster, growth, and hope in this charming story.
Robot Roz washes up on an isolated island with nothing but her basic programming. Her instincts are to survive, meaning her primary programming is left unchecked as she tackles survival and purpose. When Roz is faced with violence, she responds with avoidance. Rejection is met with friendly gentleness.
When she crosses paths with an orphan, he is met with protection and much more. While acclimatising to her environment, the reader follows Roz on her journey of survival, wild animals, challenging weather, relationships, and learning intricate details such as how birds fly.
This heartening and spirited story explores the possibilities when robot and nature collide and grow together. But not all technology has Roz’s programming, and there is a glimpse of robots under the influence of humans, being harmful.
This refreshing novel reflects Roz as a positive role model to follow, as she consistently remains calm and friendly despite the threats she encounters. The orphan she cares for learns important values, and the other animals come to accept and eventually respect her. Although Roz shouldn’t have feelings, you start to believe that she does. Readers can’t help but consider the perspectives of those involved and feel concern for the characters and the environment. Emotional responses are stirred as the characters develop, exploring themes of rejection, life, death, and kindness. These themes build up to selfless giving, loss, love, and most of all, belonging.
The straightforward text in manageable short chapters makes for an easy read. The style complements the quirky, simple illustrations that encourage a child’s imagination to visualise the darker chapters, such as the robot graveyard, in a more subdued way.
The Wild Robot is a captivating tale that explores relationships, the environment, wildlife, and AI merging together, making it an inspirational read for 7 to 12 year-olds.
Many thanks to Piccadilly Press for the review copy.
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