Little Robot: Homeschool Study and Book Club Ideas
Little Robot is a delightful graphic novel for a homeschool study that is perfect for even the youngest readers. The book is practically wordless and the images are colorful and fun.
This is a sweet and simple story that your elementary schooler will enjoy.
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Little Robot by Ben Hatke
Genre: Graphic Novel
Length: 144 pages
First Published: 2015
View on Amazon | View on Goodreads
Little Robot Publisher’s Description
When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it’s all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!
My Goodreads Review
This is a sweet and simple story of a lost robot who is befriended by a little girl. She takes care of the robot and helps create a circle of robot friends for both of them.
I am a fan of Ben Hatke’s work and this delightful tale didn’t disappoint. The book is practically wordless so it is an excellent option for even early readers. The story is told through images and lots of onomatopoeia (words that make sounds). I believe your elementary school-aged child will enjoy this sweet story.
Little Robot Book Club Ideas
1. Gather a collection of items from your recycling bin (lids, containers, etc) as well as common items such as buttons, straws, yarn, and other robot building options. Let the kids build their own robots. NOTE: You might need to help with hot gluing for certain items.
ALTERNATIVE: A lego robot-building challenge would be a fun option as well.
2. Play charades and allow the use of sounds (onomatopoeia).
3. Serve “nuts and bolts” (trail mix) and “computer chips” (various chip bags).
4. Play a variation of “pin the tail on the donkey” and have the kids pin the parts on the robot. Tape a large square “head” on the wall. Kids should be blindfolded and take turns taping a robot part on the head – circles for eyes, square nose, antennae, etc.
Little Robot Discussion Questions for Your Homeschool Study
1. This book has very few words, and the words that it does contain are often onomatopoeia (words that make sounds). How did it feel to read a book that contained so few words? Did you enjoy it or was it hard? Did you create words in your head or just enjoy the pictures?
2. Were you surprised when the yellow robot trying to capture and return Little Robot was transformed? Were you happy about it or disappointed?
3. In what ways was the little girl a good friend to Little Robot? Are there was in which she wasn’t a good friend?
Little Robot was part of my Outschool weekly graphic novel book club. I shared a little bit about what we discussed, including an interesting discussion about the setting on my Celebrate a Book Instagram:
Homeschooling with Graphic Novels:
Discussion Questions for Your Homeschool Study
Grab this set of questions designed to facilitate discussion that is specific to a graphic novel:
Helpful Links to Study Little Robot in Your Homeschool
Ben Hatke describes himself as a “writer, artist, author of graphic novels and other kinds of books -most notably the Zita the Spacegirl trilogy and the picture book Julia’s House for Lost Creatures.” You can find him on his website.
Read this Q&A discussion between Zita the Spacegirl author, Ben Hatke, and Wired magazine.
Graphic Novels for Your Next Homeschool Study
Additional Titles by Ben Hatke
Featured In
Online Book Clubs for Kids
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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