Editorial Content for The Wild Robot

In his middle-grade debut, award-winning picture book author and illustrator Peter Brown proves that he can effectively tell a story over more than 32 pages.
 
Acclaimed picture book author and illustrator Peter Brown has long been enamored of the natural world. His award-winning picture book THE CURIOUS GARDEN was inspired by New York City’s High Line park and the successful attempts of urbanites to insert elements of the wilderness into city living. His more recent award-winner, MR. TIGER GOES WILD, depicts a jungle beast who casts off societal constraints and discovers his true nature --- in nature.
 
It shouldn’t be too surprising, then, that in his debut as a novelist, Brown should touch on some of the same themes, while also introducing readers to one of the most memorable and heartwarming robots in literature since the Iron Giant.

"The novel’s conclusion...is powerful and relevant...Brown’s illustrations are a mix of humor and pathos as powerful and affecting as those in his picture books."

After a shipwreck, ROZZUM unit 7134 (but you can call her Roz) washes up on the shore of a remote island. She is the only robot to survive; the bodies of her fellow robots break apart against the sharp rocks at the shoreline. Roz, whose guiding instincts are for self-preservation and for learning as much as she can about the world around her, makes for higher ground --- and there she finds a world beyond her wildest imagination (if robots had imaginations).
 
Roz marvels at the skills and habits and instincts of the animals she observes, but she has a hard time connecting with any of them, especially since many of them view her as a monster; that is, until, through her own clumsiness, she causes the death of an entire family of geese --- except for one lone egg. Roz, who has begun to learn the speech of the animals, turns to other creatures to help her figure out how to care for the goose, Brightbill, who hatches from the egg. It turns out that motherhood is the role that Roz is best suited for, and her relationship with Brightbeak not only saves the young gosling, it may also save the robot as well.
 
Observing Roz’s evolution toward a sort of humanity, prompted by what can only be called compassion (even if she can’t really feel emotions) toward wild creatures will inspire readers to embrace their own “wildness.” The novel’s first two-thirds are immersed in the life of the island and the interactions between and among species, in a way that may remind some readers of the novels of Avi.
 
But without giving too much away, things take a darker turn near the novel’s end, with developments that not only give the novel some context (and introduce some political issues) but also might prove scary for younger readers who had earlier been charmed by the wildlife stories. Nevertheless, the novel’s conclusion (which leaves the door wide open for a sequel, thank goodness!) is powerful and relevant, ripe for discussion with whatever grownup is lucky enough to share the book with the children in their lives. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to share the pictures during read-aloud time, too --- Brown’s illustrations are a mix of humor and pathos as powerful and affecting as those in his picture books.