79. The Wild Robot On the Island

79. The Wild Robot on the Island. Peter Brown. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, audio book, picture book]

First sentence: In the middle of the ocean an island stood above the waves. It had meadows and forests and rivers and a great variety of animals. Everything was just right on the island. And then a strange new creature arrived. 

Premise/plot: The Wild Robot has been adapted into a picture book. This picture book introduces younger reader to the basic, central story of The Wild Robot. It is stripped of much of the plot and many of the details.

My thoughts: I am conflicted on the rating. IF you only look at it on its own without taking into consideration either the full-length BOOK or the movie adaptation, then this is a cozy, sweet read for little ones. IF, however, you read it comparing and contrasting it with either the novel or the movie, then it's easy to see how much is truly missing. The book in hand is certainly pleasant enough, a good read. It just does not compare in any way with the novel or even the movie. It isn't quite so bad as comparing a full meal with baby food from a jar, mind you. It's just lacking 'the flavor' and substance of the book.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers