Robot Zombie Frankenstein!

PreS-K—This highly entertaining method of introducing a concept begins and ends with brightly colored, digitally created shapes pictured and labeled on the endpapers; close examination reveals differences in the named pieces from front to back pages. Simon tells a simple, humorous tale of two robots and their imaginative play and quick costume changes. At the start, the two figures stand next to each other and declare themselves to be "Robot. Robot." However, the green one dashes off the page and returns as a "Robot ZOMBIE!" He has added rectangular "tatters" to his clothing, a rectangular hot pink "brain" to a square dent in his head, and red oval blood dripping from his mouth. His hand is lying on the floor behind him. The other robot doesn't want to be outdone, so he mutters, "Yikes. Robot reboot…" and becomes "Robot Zombie Frankenstein!" As the bots one-up one another, the competition gets fierce until the two finally declare a truce when a pie and a fork appear. This hilarious title works for one-on-one sharing as participants can discuss the many different shapes shown, and in a group setting where children will laugh at the rivalry of the two mechanical characters. Great fun!—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI