Robinson
By Jan Carr,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Magical story and art take readers on island adventure.
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What's the Story?
In ROBINSON, Peter and his friends agree to dress as pirates for the school costume party, but Peter's mom talks him into going as his favorite character, Robinson Crusoe, and makes him an elaborate costume. Peter's excited, but when his friends make fun of him, he goes home and falls into a fever dream. The dream transports him to a deserted island where he lives out his Robinson Crusoe fantasy, making his own house, finding food and water, and befriending the island's animals. He thrives on the island until a band of pirates arrive, who turn out to be his friends visiting his sick bed. The friends are sorry they hurt Peter's feelings, and together they plan more imaginative and playful adventures.
Is It Any Good?
This master author-illustrator takes his childhood memories of a classic kids' novel and crafts them into a new adventure story that's mesmerizing and emotionally resonant. Robinson starts off routinely enough with a kid and a costume party. We feel Peter's excitement as he puts on his elaborate costume, and then share his distress when his friends make fun of him. But suddenly Peter's carried by a fever dream to a wild island where he lives out his Robinson Crusoe fantasy, and readers are transported with him.
Peter Sis has been a Caldecott Honoree three times for a reason. His art is sumptuous. In this book, he delivers up exotic wildlife and trees, gives us a stunning aerial view of the island and Peter's activities, and a dreamy view of the island dipping its roots deep into the ocean. Midnight blues tint the fevered Peter as his "head swims," and when we turn the page, an aqua wash transports his boat to the island. This book is sure to inspire kids to embark on their own adventures, literary and otherwise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dream in Robinson. Why did Peter have such a vivid dream? What do you think it meant? What do you think happened to him when he came home from the party?
How does the photograph at the end compare to the costume in the art? Why do you think the author wrote this book? Is there an experience you've had that you'd like to write a story about?
Would you like to have an adventure on an island? What other sorts of adventures would be fun?
Book Details
- Author: Peter Sis
- Illustrator: Peter Sis
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Adventures , Book Characters , Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Publication date: September 26, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: August 30, 2017
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