Dan Yaccarino's (All the Way to America) charming robot hero returns for another wireless adventure--this time on the farm.
Doug and his parents are off to visit the grandbots. Dad and Mom suggest Doug "plug in" to learn all about farms on their way to the country ("a baby pig is called a piglet"; "cows need to be milked every day," he learns). But Doug acquires some real-life knowledge when a flock of sheep breaks through a fence. He helps the farm girl round up the animals. The thankful farm girl then invites Doug to milk a cow (he earns a grateful bovine lick), to gather some hay from the loft ("prickly") and to pick apples ("delicious"). Doug even imprints on some baby ducklings (they follow him in a straight line).
Yaccarino works in bold, bright swathes of color and appeals to all five senses as Doug gathers information that can be acquired only through tactile experience. Children can see Doug's excitement when he uses his newfound knowledge to help get his family's car out of a ditch. When his parents suggest Doug "plug in" for the ride home, he chooses instead to reflect upon his amazing day. Without driving home the message, Yaccarino extols the virtues of getting out in nature and enjoying new experiences. Here's hoping for more adventures from an unplugged Doug. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness