(Age 7+ but can be read to younger children) Roz and her animal friends (and found family) are back! If you enjoyed The Wild Robot (# 1) and The Wild Robot Escapes (# 2), then you will be thrilled that this third instalment is out.
If you are not familiar with the series, it’s fantastic–a simple yet creative adventure story, good themes and values, and beautiful illustrations by the author. Brown encourages kids to care for the earth’s environment yet the perspective is real–life is complicated, there are no easy answers. But that doesn’t let anyone off the hook. In a world where we regularly confront news about animals struggling with their changing environments, Brown challenges our children (and us) to fight pollution and climate change and to strive to ensure a positive future for all living things.
Life for robot Roz and the animals on their island is perfect. But when mysterious, dangerous waters surround them, the animals are forced inland to fight over dwindling resources. Roz calms and organises the animals, but the pollution takes a terrible toll on the island and the wild robot sets out across the ocean to investigate the source of the problem. During her journey, Roz encounters amazing geological formations and incredible creatures, and she sees the devastation caused by the toxic waters. Can the wild robot save the ocean and her island and everything she loves?
This introduction to the book and interview with the author is worth a listen. I like what Peter Brown says about not knowing exactly what age category this series is for, because it appeals to all ages, children and adults like. In my opinion, those kind are always the best!
Joanne's Reading Blog 