Dan Yaccarino (All the Way to America) takes readers on a journey around a city, as a charming boy robot unplugs from his wall socket and heads out to explore the world beyond his home.
Each morning young Doug's parents plug him in so he can download fascinating facts and lessons. One day, after his parents leave, something catches Doug's eye outside his window and, full of curiosity, Doug pulls his plug so he can explore his city with his jetpack blasting, and learn about the world first hand. Cement, for instance, is squishy, and flowers peek from the sidewalk cracks. Best of all, Doug discovers the concept of play. A boy in the park teaches Doug hide-and-seek, tag and other games. Through their play, Doug discovers the joy of having a friend. After lots of fun in the park, Doug's friend feels lost when he cannot see his mom or dad. Doug helps his friend reunite with his parents, and then begins thinking about his own parents, and all the new things he'd like to share with them. The best lesson of the day: to show parents that you love them, give them a hug--which Doug rushes home to share with his own parents.
Yaccarino documents Doug's journey with simple and appealing art created with brush and ink on vellum and photoshop, capturing the young robot's energy and enthusiasm. There are informal maps that graph Doug's journey and multiple pictures on a page showing his various activities. --Mollie Welsh Kruger, graduate faculty, Bank Street College of Education