From the Publisher
"Delightful, motivating, and thought-provoking—a winner for any bookshelf."—starred, Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
12/03/2021
K-Gr 3—Readers will be fascinated to learn that nature provides a great blueprint for scientists seeking to create effective robots. Biomimicry, the practice of using nature as a guide to create human-made designs, is the focus of this engaging exploration into the world of robotics. Stunning, colorful photographs of animals in nature are paired with images of robots engineered to mimic the animals' unique qualities. One small robot is modeled after cockroaches. This robot can scurry into tight spaces to search for survivors buried after an earthquake. Another small robot can record live video as it hovers like a hummingbird, perfect for spying missions. StickyBot, a robot designed to mimic a gecko's ability to grip smooth surfaces, could be useful for spacecraft repair or rescue missions. Selected vocabulary— "scurry," "hover," "grip"—is highlighted in each spread. The animal and robotic pairings are interesting and thought-provoking, and provide a jumping-off point for a host of discussion topics from evolution (specifically why species develop certain traits) to the role of robots in our lives. VERDICT The imaginations of young readers are sure to be engaged by this title, and will have them viewing flora and fauna through the lens of biomimicry.—Ragan O'Malley
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-07-27
Discover the natural inspirations behind robotic creations.
All engineers have to start somewhere, and this book may be the dawning impetus for future roboticists. The design is simple but effective: The verso page introduces a mammal, bird, aquatic creature, or insect and defines one of its notable characteristics in a sentence. The recto then provides more detailed information about a robot or robotic prototype influenced by that feature. Both pages present a photograph of the creature and robot, allowing readers to compare the animal and the machine. A plethora of vocabulary words fill each page: “Animals are motion masters. They skitter, scuttle, grip, glide, spring, cling, and more.” The paragraph explaining the robotics provides opportunities for educators and caregivers to promote learning, in terms of current world events as well as the obvious information about animals and robotics. Why do we need robots that can inspect disaster sites or report on tides and weather? The bright, full-color photographs will play well to the back of a classroom or storytime, allowing a range of readers a chance to consider the robotic world. Impressive backmatter includes a glossary, additional information on biomimicry, and a current bibliography to guide further learning.
Delightful, motivating, and thought-provoking—a winner for any bookshelf. (Informational picture book. 4-8)
