Rusty Robot and Charlie Monkey
by Jo Rigg and Simon Mugford
Reviewed by Brett Levy of DadTalk
Which came first, the gimmick or the story idea? Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but there is no mystery when it comes to Rusty Robot and Charlie Monkey, which are part of the Funny Faces series by Priddy Books.
The two big holes carved out of the book – with googly eyes on the inside back page – are not the worst of it. Nor the touch-and-feel pages that would interest a 1-year-old instead of the targeted over-3 market. No, it’s the loud, stupid noises that blast the reader when the last page is opened. (Fortunately, the sound device was broken on Charlie Monkey.)
Even the blocky drawings seem right out of a marketer’s little book of tricks. The result is art and poetry seemingly produced by committee:
This busy little robot
Is cleaning up the house.
Look behind you Dusty,
It’s a tiny robot mouse.
Or how about this from Charlie Monkey?
Swimming in the river,
Flashing toothy smiles,
Are Daddy Croc and Junior,
The snappy crocodiles.
Despite my reservations, the bright colors are sure to entice some young children and even trigger imaginations. And while I quickly slam Rusty Robot shut as soon as I hear the loud buzzing, some kids will love it.
My suggestion: if your kids must have books from the Funny Faces series, don’t forget to pick up a set of earplugs from the adjacent drug store.
Rating: *\
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