Gr 2-4 Once again Hatke delivers a delightful graphic novel with a positive female role-model, fun non-humans, and a message of friendship. When a brown-skinned cherubic girl chances upon a robot that looks like a trash can, 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 characters in 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 play just as large a role in comprehension as body language and composition. It's Hatke's skill in communicating the narrative and emotional complexities through visual cues that makes this such a strong offering. Though the girl and her bot start their journeys separately and in silence, 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 colorful adventure of discovery and friendship. Highly recommended.— Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Starred Review A small child sneaks out of her house, ready for another day of neighborhood adventures, but she finds an unexpected friend when she crosses paths with a lost robot. Together, they explore the forest, play games, and provide each other with much needed fun and companionship. All appears to be lost when a monstrous metal scout finds the missing robot and returns it to a nearby factory, but both learn that true friends don't give up so easily. This nearly wordless graphic novel delivers a classic friendship story in a nuanced yet lively package that will resonate with young readers. As with previous works, Hatke has created a perfectly balanced story of adventure, danger, and loyalty with charming illustrations that reward careful readers with small details conveying surprising depth. Bright colors and a variety of panel sizes provide extra visual appeal while reflecting the dynamic energy of the well-plotted story. While all these elements combine to make this a fully realized world, especially delightful is the range of emotions portrayed by the wee robot with each new experience. Subtly inventive in both vision and execution, this one begs to be read again and again.