Robot Zombie Frankenstein!

In Simon's Mocking Birdies (Simply Read, 2005), two singing birds faced off against each other. In this outing, Simon uses brightly colored shapes, substantial creativity, and a photograph of cherry pie to construct a story of robotic one-upmanship. In the opening scene, two robots--one magenta, the other green with an orange necktie--stare at readers from against a white backdrop and introduce themselves: "Robot." "Robot." The green bot dashes off and returns as a "Robot Zombie!" (a chunk of its head is missing, ovals of red "blood" drip from its mouth), and the other promptly tops its adversary with a "robot zombie Frankenstein" costume, which adds a forehead scar, spiky toupee, and neck bolts. Matters escalate. "Robot zombie Frankenstein pirate superhero-in-disguise outer space invader CHEF!" the robots shout, barreling toward each other. The cumulative chaos of the robots' costumes stands in humorous contrast to Simon's narrative and visual discipline, as she pokes fun at the human desire to be #1 and acknowledges the "Where did that come from?" nature of in-the-moment creativity. Ages 4-8. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Apr.)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-K--This highly entertaining method of introducing a concept begins and ends with brightly colored, digitally created shapes pictured and labeled on the endpapers; close examination reveals differences in the named pieces from front to back pages. Simon tells a simple, humorous tale of two robots and their imaginative play and quick costume changes. At the start, the two figures stand next to each other and declare themselves to be "Robot. Robot." However, the green one dashes off the page and returns as a "Robot ZOMBIE!" He has added rectangular "tatters" to his clothing, a rectangular hot pink "brain" to a square dent in his head, and red oval blood dripping from his mouth. His hand is lying on the floor behind him. The other robot doesn't want to be outdone, so he mutters, "Yikes. Robot reboot..." and becomes "Robot Zombie Frankenstein!" As the bots one-up one another, the competition gets fierce until the two finally declare a truce when a pie and a fork appear. This hilarious title works for one-on-one sharing as participants can discuss the many different shapes shown, and in a group setting where children will laugh at the rivalry of the two mechanical characters. Great fun!--Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In an era in which electronics are always one-upping one another in the global market, it's nice to see a picture-book equivalent that ends with the consumption of delicious desserts. Apple and PC, take note. —Kirkus Reviews

ROBOT ZOMBIE FRANKENSTEIN! will provoke squeals of laughter in a large storytime but may also entice the solo reader to try out geometric art of his or her own. —The Horn Book

The geometric nature of the illustrative components make this a possibly useful companion to a math or art lesson. Kids (particularly boys) will respond to the robots, zombies, etc., to the "Oh yeah? Top this!" tone, and to the inviting possibility of designing their own similar robot illustrations using geometric shapes. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Bright, simple shapes sort themselves into two robots who play a silly game of one-upmanship — Robot Zombie? Why not Robot Zombie Frankenstein? Or Robot Zombie Frankenstein Pirate? But at the end of it all, both robots like being just who they are. Colorful, straightforward illustrations from Simon add to the fun. —Scholastic Parent & Child

You'll come for the title (I did), but stay for the charming and colorful art, which can be used to help teach shapes, and for the reminder that all things in life — particularly friendship — go better with pie. —The Florida Times-Union