BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Book Title: My Babysitter is a Robot (available here)
Author: Dave Cousins
Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri
Publisher: Stripes
Publication Date: July 2019
Most Suitable For: Years 2-4
Reviewed by: Emma Hughes, School Librarian
Disaster has struck! Jake and his twin sister Jess have the most embarrassing babysitter ever. His name is Robin and he is a robot. And when he turns up to collect them from school it is clear to see why they don’t want anything to do with him. He has a red furry coat, a beard and roller skates and along with his bobble hat he bears a striking resemblance to Father Christmas!
Robin was built by Grandma, who likes to recycle. With a strict after-school regime, life seems to be a lot less fun with Robin around. The twins decide that they simply must get rid of this monstrosity and to do so effectively it is evident that they must work together as a team, which is not something that Jake and Jess are used to doing.
The twins embark on a programme of sabotage and eventually their mum can take it no more. So when the neighbour offers to take Robin off her hands, Mum jumps at the chance. Jess and Jake have won, but somehow they don’t feel like winners. Why did their sinister neighbour want Robin? A sneaky peak at next door confirmed their fears; he was being maltreated and needed to be rescued! More teamwork is required in a quest to get the robot back – it would appear that they’ve all missed him more than they ever thought that they would.
This is a funny book with great illustrations throughout. The plot is easy to follow and ideal for children who are beginning to grow into independent readers.
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You can order My Babysitter is a Robot online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Emma for reviewing it.
