If I Had a Robot

by Dan Yaccarino

Faced with a parental demand that he eat his vegetables, a young boy dreams of having an obedient robot to do all of his unpleasant tasks, from taking baths and doing homework to kissing his Aunt Louise.

Genres: Picture Books, Robots, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Fiction, Juvenile

34 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Exhibitions of his work have been held throughout the world. He is also the creator of the animated TV Series Willa's Wild Life and Oswald.

Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Necy Calamba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you imagined a robot taking over your tasks: wouldn’t life be great? Certainly, Phil had thought about it and had imagined a robot who would eat his vegetables, do his tasks, protect him, and make him the master of the entire universe at his command. However, Phil learned that when he wanted something done right, he has got to do it by himself. The story shows how naturally creative, imaginative, and reflective children can be when facing obstacles. Children have their way of solving problems and reflect on their actions. When children realize that they have the capacity to deal with challenges, they’ll feel more confident, resilient, and productive.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

And now I want chocolate cake.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the type of story that children will enjoy.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little boy wishes for a robot to do everything he doesn’t want to. Until he realizes that also means the robot would get the rewards.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes, you just have to do it yourself!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime Themes: Robots, Friends

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

“And those kids wouldn’t dare pick on me if I had a robot.”

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used for robot storytime. Nothing earth shattering here but filled in a gap.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like cake. 2 year old liked this book too

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

WD in WI

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Phil has to eat yucky vegetables and starts day-dreaming about having a robot to do all the unpleasant things for him. If he had a robot, it would eat his brussel sprouts. If he had a robot it could do the chores, take baths, and go to school. In fact, if he had a robot he could rule the world! But if he had a robot, it would get to eat the dessert instead of him. So maybe it's a good thing he doesn't have a robot.

This would be a great book for a Psychology class to analyze. It has a wonderful train of thought trail that goes from vegetables to world domination. Not sure how kids will react to the book. I'm sure many will identify with wishing someone else could do the hard things for them, but the question is whether dessert is enough incentive to give up a personal robot or not? I found the dessert ending kind of abrupt. I actually think it would have been more fitting if Phil had taken the daydreams one step further and realized that if he had a robot that powerful it would probably start to get power hungry and eventually decide it could run the world without him. (Obviously, Phil hasn't watched or read enough sci-fi at his young age to realize this is the inevitable conclusion to his grandiose dreams.) So sad. That could have made this story that much better, and probably funnier. (Then the adults would have wanted to reread it even if the kids didn't.) As it is, parents/teachers could still use this as a jumping off point for a discussion of the benefits of doing some things that may not always be fun. Like, if Phil had a robot who went to school for him, what would happen to Phil?

[Austin G · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Phil is staring at his plate of vegetables he beings to daydream about how easy his life would be with the help of a robot friend. With the robot at his command Phil imagines getting out of unpleasant tasks such as taking a bath, piano lessons, and even being picked on, on the playground. Alongside his robot he could eventually rule the world, or even universe. Ultimately in the end, with the help of a piece of chocolate cake, Phil learns that, “if you want something done right you have got to do it yourself.”

If I Had a Robot, is an amusing and imaginative story from the point of view of a young boy and what he would do if he had a robot. Children will easily be able to relate to Phil and his distaste for tasks like eating vegetables, doing chores, and even being kissed by an aunt. The illustrations are simple but very eye catching. The use of vibrant colors in the style of oil paintings, which keep the students very engaged. In addition the use of humor will also keep the students begging more.

My only criticism would be the books overall message needs to be explained further after completing the book. Although the book is meant to be the perspective of a young child, as a parent or teacher one might want to further explain that although one might not always like doing something, tasks like eating vegetables and going to school are important. I would use this book in a classroom of kindergarteners or first graders to help me introduce imaginative writing.

[Amy Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phil’s not allowed to leave the dinner table until he finishes his vegetables, a food group he detests. If only he had a robot to eat his cauliflower and Brussels sprouts with a flick of a switch. Having a robot would be so helpful! He’d do everything Phil doesn’t want to do, practice his piano lessons, feed the dog, and even kiss Aunt Louise. The robot would help Phil become king of the world! No, the universe! Phil’s imagination is soaring until Mom says, “Whoever eats their vegetables gets chocolate cake for dessert!” Suddenly, Phil is a lot more motivated to finish his dinner without a robot friend.

The illustrations feature Yaccarino’s signature big-headed, wide-mouthed human characters, plus an army of robots. Each page features a slightly different robot; it’s as if Phil is using his imagination to try out different robot looks. There’s a timeless quality to the characters and the settings, as if Phil has been daydreaming while reading a stack of Popular Mechanics magazines from the 1950’s. The minimal text is conversational and has a great sense of rhythm, even though the lines don’t rhyme.


Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Sadie Vore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book as my science fiction book. I would read this book to children ages two through age seven or eight. I think this is a fun book that will have different meanings to children of different ages and is why I chose the age range I did. I believe this book would be acceptable for teaching about robots or vegetables maybe. This is a fun book with a great message that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as an introduction to robots and using the Cubelets we have in the Library. I used it for Kindergarten and 1st grade and it was the perfect literacy connection. Now I am on a mission to find more books to use for makerspace lessons.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy is told to eat his veggies which sends him off on a daydream about all the horrible things he would never have to do again - if he only had a robot! But, in the end, he learns the lesson that sometimes you have to do the hard stuff yourself to get the reward.

Okay illustrations.

[Brynn Scheibel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very simple. Yes it is a children's picture book but I think it is a nice simple story for any child to relate to. I'm sure every child has wanted a robot around to do all the things they didn't want to do. I know I sure wished I had a robot to eat my veggies.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy named Phil imagines all the tasks he'd have his robot do for him, if he had a robot. When he finds out a sweet treat awaits him if he finishes his vegetables, he changes his mind. PreK-2.

[Hajnal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story itself didn't "wow" me, I love the bright, simple illustrations.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

just ok, i liked the end.

[Katherine]

Until his robot rises up against him and murders him...

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute book that Zack loved. :)

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phil imagines the advantages of having a robot, from feeding it his vegetables to becoming king of the playground.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Boy+Bot which is illustrated by Yaccarino, I decided that I needed to check out his robot book. This was a lot of fun and I loved the ending.

[Maximus · Rating 3 out of 5]

its kinda dumb

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the design of this book- large lettering, bold, clear illustrations. A great read aloud for younger audiences.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lesson: You have to take the bad along with the good.

[Library-Nar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robots Storytime
Age: 2-7
Robots, imagination,
1996

[Kelsey Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I Had a Robot, written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, is about a young boy named Phil who imagines what life would be like if he owned a robot of his own. The story begins with him not wanting to eat his vegetables when his mom asks him to. This prompts him to think of all of the things that a robot would do for him if he had one. These tasks are mainly things that he does not wish to do himself, such as eat his vegetables or take a bath. This children's book is absolutely perfect for all children. They will be able to relate the Phil so easily and all of his "problems." Similar to most children he does not want to certain things that he has to do. Many children do not want to take a bath or eat their veggies just like Phil. The illustrations are adorable and kid friendly.