BITTY BOT

What happens when robots wind down? Do they actually sleep?

Yep, they do, according to this charmer with a mechanical twist. Told in jaunty, rollicking rhymes that are enlivened by colorful, humorous digital illustrations, this robot version of a bedtime story demonstrates that, no matter how energetic a little “bot” may be, there inevitably comes a time when “batteries are running low!” Filled with personality, Bitty is one imaginative, enterprising—and not tired—droid, first building a nifty spaceship, then rocketing to the moon and, in comical scenes reminiscent of the iconic cantina in the first Star Wars movie, cavorting in a rousing lunar dance-a-thon. The final scene shows Bitty building…who knows what, but this bot is clearly ready for another out-of-this-world adventure. Readers will have already seen, though, that sleep must inevitably follow a day of raucous activity. Vocabulary-enriching rhymes scan well, making this a fine read-aloud choice. The lively, action-filled illustrations with their retro look feature smiling, mostly gender-neutral robots of myriad colors, body shapes, and sizes, bearing varied whirring accoutrements. Young audiences will also chuckle at illustrations depicting young bots clutching favorite sleepy-time must-have toys—in one case, a tiny human.

Young techies may or may not want to zoom into bed right after listening, but they’ll be more than a little “bitty” ready for repeat readings.