*The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

A wild robot explores an island and learns more than how to survive nature from the animals; she develops relationships and makes it home. A delightful story full of kindness and humility.

*The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. Little, Brown, and Company, 2016. 269 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12
• Recommended For: Ages 8-12

A storm and a shipwreck are a great way to begin a story; just ask Shakespeare, Daniel Defoe, and Johanna Wyss (author of the original Swiss Family Robinson).

The Wild Robot opens with a hurricane sinking a ship and its cargo, all except for five crates who are carried by waves to an island. Four are smashed on the rocks. One is beached and discovered by curious otters who accidentally open the crate, discover that packing foam is fun to play with, and press the button on something’s head.

The robot awakens and emerges, as though hatching from a shell, and the surprised otters flee upon attempted introduction. ROZZUM unit 7134, or Roz, is a self-sustaining robot designed to adapt intelligently in order to better perform tasks. Roz begins to explore the island, much to the terror of the animals who assume the intruder is a monster. She (the robot) observes how the animals respond to their environment and learns how to climb among rocks from a crab, how to blend in through camouflage from a stick insect, and other clues for survival. She listens to the sounds the creatures make and learns their languages. But they will have nothing to do with her until she demonstrates her interest in finding ways to help when she sees them in trouble.

A tragic accident makes Roz a gosling mother, which draws the other animals to accept her and offer assistance so she can make a home where she can care for little Brightbill. They provide skills and encouragement, and in return, Roz generously shares her resources. Roz and Brightbill learn together about the ways of nature and develop friendships, face danger and pain, discuss hard things, and endure the separation of seasonal migration.

When strangers from Roz’s past comes to hunt the lost robot who has made herself at home, the animals do all they can to protect her…but it is not enough.

There are hints of self-sacrifice in the face of evil, and hope of resurrection. There is a suggestion of what it might mean for someone powerful and intelligent to come and live in a wild place and bring peace, one who befriends and cares for those who shun efforts at kindness. What if that one had to return to the Makers in order to be made whole again for the good of the island?

I’m not convinced that Roz is a Christ figure, but whenever there are themes of death and resurrection in a story, our sensors should be alerted. We don’t have to stop the story and have a comparative discussion, because that would be frustrating to listeners who just want to finish the book. But if you have a motif journal, you might add an entry, or someone might bring it up later and you can consider how the themes of love, compassion, friendship, humility, and forgiveness flow beautifully through The Wild Robot.

I’ve heard good things about the movie coming out, and plan to see it. I definitely recommend the book.

Considerations:

• There are numerous instances of death: the other robots, animals that don’t make it through the winter, etc. But there are no graphic descriptions, and since Roz doesn’t really have emotions (though she begins to feel something like them), reading about them isn’t too painful.

Remember, unless a book is starred, a review is not necessarily a recommendation. Read more about our ratings here.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: What can robot designers learn from animals? Quite a lot! Here’s a review of Zoobots by Helaine Becker
• Book Review: Another story of survival on an island is the classic Newbery award winning Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell.
• Book Review: Rabbit and Robot: The sleepover by Cece Bell is a delightful book for early readers.

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