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Aug 07, 2017forbesrachel rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Gr 1-5 Once again Hatke delivers a delightful graphic novel with a positive female role-model, fun non-humans, and a message of friendship. When a dark-skinned cherubic girl chances upon a robot that looks like a trashcan, she finds a friend worth protecting. Each day they explore the junkyard and the surrounding forest, with the little girl acting as a guide to new sights and concepts. Both love playing together, but when the robot wants to leave, things go downhill. It is up to this resourceful girl to save him from the bad bots of the factory. With her trusty wrench in hand, she repairs parts, builds traps, and fixes hearts. Like the movie Wall-e, these robots have a limited range of facial expressions, so they "speak", and emote, in sound effects. Changes in font size, punctuation, and position, are just as necessary to our comprehension as body language and composition are. We rely heavily on visual cues, for the girl also says little. These two started their journey separately and in silence, but by the end, music and friends surround them. Young readers, and those new to graphica, will find the easy-to-follow illustrations, large borderless panels, and steady pace, welcoming. VERDICT A pleasantly colourful adventure of discovery and friendship. Highly recommended. *reviewed for School Library Journal