THE ROBOT BIRTHDAY

Mom makes the robot as a birthday gift for twins Pam and Kerry shortly after she's divorced and they've moved to a new house. ("Mom's smart.") In the first episode here, the robot's appearance saves the twins' lagging birthday party and wins them neighborhood friends. In the second, it scares off a bad gang of older boys who've taken over the local park; and in a third, its big, shiny presence on the road saves other motorists after Mom and the twins, en route to grandmother's house for Christmas, come upon a bridge washed away by a storm. Despite De John's dreary one-color pictures, there is laugh potential in the sight of the playground bad gang sticking out their tongues and growling in compliance with the robot's orders. (The robot is playing back an exercise program taped by the twins' sitter.) Otherwise, pretty flat.