Author: Matt Novak
Published: New York: DK Inc.
Suitable for: (Age/Grade level) 4-8 years K-3
Length: 32 pp.
Reading Level: 2 Interest Level 4-8 years
Need Addressed: Differences
Genre: science fiction / humor
Plot: The Robobots family is different than their neighbors. They are blue and talk to things such as mailboxes and fire hydrants. The people are a bit afraid of them. They would not hire D.A.D for a job or let M.O.M shop in the market. Widget and Toggel were not allowed in the school. Finally the neighbors came over to ask the Robobots to move. The Robobots showed them their flying furniture and their talking kitchen appliances. Soon the neighbors acted more friendly. The Robobots were happy even if they thought their neighbors were strange.
Characters:
M.O.M., the mother robot
D.A.D., the father robot
Widget, the boy robot
Toggel, the girl robot
Use: Large group discussion of how people discriminate, individual
Discussion Questions:
What is different about the Robobot family?
Why does D.A.D. think he can't get a job?
Why does M.O.M. think they won't let her in the market?
Why does Toggle and Widget think they can't go to school?
Why do the neighbors not like the Robobot family?
What changes the neighbors minds about the Robobot family?
Related Activities:
Draw an alien family and their house.
Make robots out of scrap paper, metal and other things.
How is your family different from your neighbors?
Related Works:
David Kirk "Nova's Ark"
Censorship Issues: none

The Robobots