SPACE BOT

In Smith’s picture book, a robot from outer space heads to Earth to discern the answer to an important question: Are humans friendly?

Space Bot disembarks on Earth on a mission to collect data about humans. Is humankind good or bad? The traveler is looking for an answer and begins an investigation. Space Bot starts to secretly observe human behaviors and habits, from eating breakfast to brushing their teeth. Just as it prepares to form its “friendliness hypothesis,” the bot is discovered hiding behind a tree by a group of surprised children. Space Bot tries to escape, but a malfunction strands it on Earth without the ability to finish its analysis. Now, Space Bot is forced to rely on the children’s smarts to fix its broken system while witnessing their kindness toward a stranger firsthand. This is a sweet story with comic book–style illustrations by the author that are sharp and hooky; the cast of human characters is diverse and engaging. The robotic-styled font is a charming touch that evokes the robot’s analytical thinking. Ultimately, the strongest element is Smith’s prose, which captures the children’s compassion with simple, tender lines such as “Do you need a hug?” and “Do you want to play with us?” The story offers a reassuring reminder that perhaps Earth’s humans aren’t so bad after all.

An endearing affirmation of human warmth.