Doug Unplugged

K-Gr 3—Doug is a young robot. Every day his parents plug him in and he downloads information about the world around him. On the day he is supposed to be learning about the city, Doug finds himself drawn out of his apartment and into the world he has been studying. He unplugs and discovers there's a lot more out there than facts and figures—life is a much richer experience when you add in sights, sounds, smells, and even a new friend. This enjoyable story by Dan Yaccarino (Knopf, 2013) has been crafted into a fun video with bouncy background music. Yaccarino's illustrations are a delight to examine up close, and Chris Patton reads the story in a rich, enthusiastic voice that nicely captures Doug's thrill in experiencing new things. Careful viewers will note that many of the facts Doug downloaded at the beginning of the book are echoed and amplified in his adventure. This is a gently sweet story with robots—sure to attract young boys. It's a fun way to take a new look at the world and to gain a greater appreciation of the difference between knowledge and application.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA