Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell
Hardcover: 56 Pages
Published by Candlewick (2012)
ISBN: 9780763654757
Reading Level: Ages 5-9
Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover is a very cute little story of an unlikely friendship. Rabbit has planned a sleepover for him and his friend, Robot, and he has organized all of their activities. When Robot arrives, Rabbit presents a list of all the things they are going to do. First, the are going to make a pizza. Next they will watch TV. Then, they will play Go Fish. And finally, Rabbit and Robot will go to bed.
But Rabbit, who is highly organized and very controlling, freaks out when things don't go as planned. He doesn't consider the fact that because Robot is a robot, he cannot eat pizza. Instead, Robot dismantles the kitchen table and eats the nuts, bolts, and screws that were holding it together. This threatens to ruin the sleepover, but Robot introduces the idea of eating on a picnic blanket instead of at the table, and all is well again at the sleepover. But the calm doesn't last very long. Each chapter is divided into one of the activities that Rabbit has planned, and each section demonstrates ways that Rabbit an Robot's incompatibility presents problems. But in the end, Rabbit and Robot learn how to cooperate and work around their differences, and while Rabbit sees the day as a near-failure, Robot points out how much fun they had together, despite their little problems.
A quirky story that teaches youngsters about friendship, compromise, and communication, Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover has been favorably reviewed by critics. Julie Danielson wrote in her Kirkus review that the book is "well-crafted" and "written with wit and style." Danielson also points out that the book is a tribute to Arnold Lobel, who wrote and illustrated the Frog and Toad series. Like the Frog and Toad books, Rabbit and Robot are charming characters who can be used in the classroom or at home to teach kids about the value of friendship and perseverance. Even though Rabbit and Robot may be incompatible in a lot of ways, together they can work through their differences and still have a good day together.
Children will also enjoy the simple yet whimsical illustrations that are also quite comical. One scene depicts Rabbit frantically searching for the TV remote control until Robot takes Rabbit to the bathroom mirror and points out the the remote has been in his ear all along. Another funny scene shows Rabbit getting ready for bed and a little perturbed that Robot does not wear pajamas. But the good-natured Robot agrees to borrow a pair of Rabbit's pjs and, well, Robots in pjs are just funny. This would be a great book to introduce to kids who are preparing for a play date or sleepover with a new friend.
