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The Adventures of Robo-Kid
A comic-book superhero climbs off the page and into the real world. When they get into trouble, his biggest fan is there to save the day.
Imagine you could meet your favorite comic-book hero in the real world. What kinds of questions would you ask? Would you go on new and exciting adventures? While heroes might seem larger than life, everyone can use some help from a friend.
Follow two intersecting stories set in the real world and inside a comic book as a real-life kid finds the courage to cope with his anxiety with the help of Robo-Kid, a comic superhero with his own vulnerabilities. With two distinctive art styles blending comic book and traditional picture book formats, Diane deGroat's The Adventures of Robo-Kid is an inspiring tale about what it takes to be a hero.
Diane deGroat has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than thirty years. For the last ten years she has been illustrating the highly popular Charlie the Ranch Dog series with blogger, author, food-writer, and television personality Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman.
Imagine you could meet your favorite comic-book hero in the real world. What kinds of questions would you ask? Would you go on new and exciting adventures? While heroes might seem larger than life, everyone can use some help from a friend.
Follow two intersecting stories set in the real world and inside a comic book as a real-life kid finds the courage to cope with his anxiety with the help of Robo-Kid, a comic superhero with his own vulnerabilities. With two distinctive art styles blending comic book and traditional picture book formats, Diane deGroat's The Adventures of Robo-Kid is an inspiring tale about what it takes to be a hero.
Diane deGroat has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than thirty years. For the last ten years she has been illustrating the highly popular Charlie the Ranch Dog series with blogger, author, food-writer, and television personality Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published June 28, 2022
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 29, 2024
The Adventures of Robo-Kid is about a young boy named Henry in the real world and a robot in a comic-book world. We learn that Henry loves Robo-Kid and how he saves the world against an asteroid. Henry finishes reading and his mom walks him to swimming class which he is very nervous about. While in the locker room, Robo-Kid climbs out of the comic book and helps Henry feel less afraid. Henry puts Robo-Kid in his pocket and goes to the swimming pool. While Robo-Kid is encouraging Henry, he falls into the water and Henry rushes to save him. At the end of the story, we see that Robo-Kid had fun in the real world and Henry got his swimming certificate.
I like The Adventures of Robo-Kid. The comic-book style makes it very simple and easy for kids to read because although the text is smaller, there are fewer words for them to sound out and read. In addition, the author explores the idea that it is okay to feel afraid sometimes but it is important to overcome fears and complete the task anyway. I think this is a very important message for kids because it helps them to validate their fearful emotions but still overcome them.
I plan to use this in my classroom to encourage children to do the things that scare them. This can range from swimming, like in the story, to taking a test or climbing on the monkey bars on the playground. I also plan to use this to teach them reading. Kids get overwhelmed when there are a lot of words on the page for them to read but since it is like a comic book, it is less overwhelming. It also makes reading fun since there are fun robot pictures to look at.
I like The Adventures of Robo-Kid. The comic-book style makes it very simple and easy for kids to read because although the text is smaller, there are fewer words for them to sound out and read. In addition, the author explores the idea that it is okay to feel afraid sometimes but it is important to overcome fears and complete the task anyway. I think this is a very important message for kids because it helps them to validate their fearful emotions but still overcome them.
I plan to use this in my classroom to encourage children to do the things that scare them. This can range from swimming, like in the story, to taking a test or climbing on the monkey bars on the playground. I also plan to use this to teach them reading. Kids get overwhelmed when there are a lot of words on the page for them to read but since it is like a comic book, it is less overwhelming. It also makes reading fun since there are fun robot pictures to look at.
December 29, 2022
With its unique visual appearance and two-sided narrative style that combines both traditional picture book artwork and a comic book, this picture book is a 3.5 for me. Sure to appeal to superhero fans because of the inclusion of The Adventures of Robo-Kid, this book provides reassurance that even new experiences can turn out okay. The main character, Henry, is deeply engaged in his comic book when his mother reminds him that it's time for his swimming test. As he closes the book in real life, Robo-Kid (from the comic) feels the book shutting and complains to his parents about wanting to venture into the real world. Readers follow two stories (Henry's and Robo-Kids) at the same time, divided into parts of the pages, until they converge in the locker room as Henry sits indecisively on a bench. Robo-Kid reassures the boy, and even offers to go with him. But once they are in the pool land, standing on the deck, Robo-Kid falls out of Henry's pocket, and Henry plunges after him, forgetting his fears in order to save his friend. Both characters return to their proper places at the conclusion, but both have been changed by their encounter. The illustrator used charcoal pencil and Photoshop for the drawings. Youngsters will hope this won't be the last they'll see of Robo-Kid.
August 10, 2022
Saving the universe is old hat for Robo-Kid, who wants to explore the real world.
Henry has his deep water test today, and he's nervous.
Their intersectional stories collide at a community pool.
When Robo-Kid tumbles feet over helmet into the pool, Henry jumps in to save the mini robot.
The ensuing wordless spread in the water is one to get lost in for a few moments. It's the heart of the book, and is awash in warm, saturated color. Henry's swimming, but he almost looks like a superhero in flight.
The story was a wonderful reminder that small, kind acts can be acts of courage too--and are sometimes even more meaningful than flashy heroics.
The twist on the last page had us wondering a bit... Was the harrowing save part of Robo-Kid's plan?
As long time "Charlie" fans (of which Diane deGroat was the illustrator), we were excited to see this book* written and illustrated by deGroat. As with her previous work, the illustrations here really shine, as they are laden with emotion and humor.
Recommended for young superheroes (and those in training).
*I won this book in a random drawing.
Henry has his deep water test today, and he's nervous.
Their intersectional stories collide at a community pool.
When Robo-Kid tumbles feet over helmet into the pool, Henry jumps in to save the mini robot.
The ensuing wordless spread in the water is one to get lost in for a few moments. It's the heart of the book, and is awash in warm, saturated color. Henry's swimming, but he almost looks like a superhero in flight.
The story was a wonderful reminder that small, kind acts can be acts of courage too--and are sometimes even more meaningful than flashy heroics.
The twist on the last page had us wondering a bit... Was the harrowing save part of Robo-Kid's plan?
As long time "Charlie" fans (of which Diane deGroat was the illustrator), we were excited to see this book* written and illustrated by deGroat. As with her previous work, the illustrations here really shine, as they are laden with emotion and humor.
Recommended for young superheroes (and those in training).
*I won this book in a random drawing.
September 13, 2022
The book starts following the titular superhero Robo-Kid in his city-saving endeavors. Soon, though, there is a scene change to the "real world," and the reader realizes that Robo-Kid is a comic book character who wants more than just a rescue of the week. Our real-world protagonist is Henry, a boy who doesn't want to go to swimming lessons because he's scared. Conveniently, this is when Robo-Kid decides to take a journey outside his comic book and join Henry at his lesson. Robo-Kid soon finds himself in a predicament in the pool, as his powers didn't transfer like he did, and after a damsel in distress moment, Henry conquers his fear of the deep end and Robo-Kid is returned to his book, promising to return.
I like that this book meshes two worlds and in a sense breaks the fourth wall. It gives a different pace in dialogue and illustration, plus it sets up a different way of reaching the "you can do it" moral.
I might just have this book in my classroom library and recommend it to students who like graphic novels. I would also read it to students before a big event like field day or a big field trip.
I like that this book meshes two worlds and in a sense breaks the fourth wall. It gives a different pace in dialogue and illustration, plus it sets up a different way of reaching the "you can do it" moral.
I might just have this book in my classroom library and recommend it to students who like graphic novels. I would also read it to students before a big event like field day or a big field trip.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2023
Two stories told in parallel. On top, Henry is enjoying reading his comic book when his mother tells him it's time to leave for swim lessons. Henry begrudgingly puts the comic in his backpack as he heads out the door. In the other story, Roby the Robot saves the world yet again but explains to his mother he wants to go outside the comic and save the world. Against his mother's wishes, Roby jumps out into the real world and encounters Henry, sitting in the swim locker room. Henry exclaims that he is afraid to jump into the deep end today. Roby tells Henry that he's there to lend a hand. When Roby accidentally falls into the pool Henry automatically jumps in after him even before the coach blows the whistle. Roby is grateful for the save and Henry is pleased that saving Roby took his mind off his fear.
A cute story and a simple introduction to graphic novels for littles.
A cute story and a simple introduction to graphic novels for littles.
August 15, 2022
Love Diane deGroat. This is a parallel story told between a young boy and a book-bound robot. Each has a worry or "problem" in their life - boy had to swim in the deep end and robot is bored. When the robot crawls out of it's book, the two stories become one and both characters figure out a way to help each other.
August 31, 2022
Henry is nervous about his swim lessons in the deep end, but when Robo-Kid from his favorite comic book comes out of the pages, he finds the bravery to do it. I love the contrast between the illustrations of Henry and the "real world" and the bright, bold colors with black lines from the comic book world. For fans of superheroes!
July 6, 2024
I'm giving the an extra star because of how creative it was! Henry loves to read his robo kid comic book. But when he closes it, robo kid leads his own normal life at the bottom of the pages while Henry leads his real life at the top of the pages, until robo kid hops out of the comic book to help Henry. Great story! Fun illustrations.
August 16, 2022
This picture book is fun, and I appreciate how the author combined her imaginative premise with a real-life situation that most kids can relate to. The illustrations are detailed and appealing, and the ending leaves things open for a sequel.
August 23, 2022
Delightful illustrations combine the fantasy world of a kid's favorite comic book with a real-life challenge the youngster faces--swimming in the deep end during swim classes! Creative, fun, and relatable for its target audience.
June 24, 2022
Here's to hoping for more adventures of Robo-Kid!
September 17, 2022
This is a really cute book! The illustrations are amazing. If you like Traction Man, check out this series.
September 24, 2022
Really sweet story about a nervous kid being inspired by his favorite hero.
September 27, 2022
Parallel stories of a comic book hero who climbs into the real world and helps Harry at his swimming lessons. Loved the illustrations of Harry enjoying reading his comic book.
November 7, 2022
Excellent story!! Kids will LOVE this!!
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November 10, 2022an elementary level picture book about a comic book character who joins the real world and helps a boy become a hero.
February 9, 2024
Baby's First Grant Morrison Adventure
November 12, 2023
4 stars for this unexpected hero tale
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews