I was not sure what to expect from Robot Dreams. It quickly became apparent while reading that, though children will most certainly enjoy Robot Dreams, there is deeper levels of emotional intelligence at work.

Dog is lonely and wants a friend. He mail-orders a robot, assembles him, and goes off to have some fun with his new companion. They go to the library, watch a movie, have some pop corn, and go to the beach. There Dog encourages Robot to come play with him in the water. After a slight hesitation, Robot goes in and they both have a great time. Unfortunately, Robot ends up rusted stiff on his towel. Dog, at a loss, must leave his friend and go home.

All this in the first 20 pages or so... This experience has a profound impact on both characters and the rest of the book alternates between Dog’s and Robot’s ensuing lives, both real and imaginary.

After Dog’s failed attempts at rescuing Robot, he seeks out new friends through a series of adventures and misadventure. None ultimately measure up to what he had with Robot, and he is left feeling unsatisfied. Meanwhile, still immobile on his beach towel, Robot dreams; that’s all he can do. He dreams of what could have been had he not entered the water, he dreams of freedom, of being rescued, and of his friend. Various characters do come and go on the beach, but not one can help him out of his predicament.

I am going to stop there and let you discover for yourself how this ends.

Reality and dreams are differentiated by color and frame, with both existing simultaneously and interweaving with ease throughout the book. I very much liked Sara Varon’s simple drawing style. It is pleasant and effective. The colors are mostly muted, flat, and direct. The whole book is without dialogue, though not wordless per se, with the occasional sign and sound effect.

The emotional communication is remarkable and what impressed me the most.

As the reader, we get to live both sides of the story. Not only is Varon’s handling and understanding of the evolution of her characters commendable, but her ability to communicate that state is remarkable as well. What is the meaning of friendship and how are we affected by it? This book stands up to any scholarly ten page dissertation on the subject. Varon effectively pulls in the reader through various sentiments of guilt, yearning, disappointments, abandonment, loss, and finally growth and forgiveness.

The book itself looks simple. The characters look simple. The story looks simple. All this done with the grace of a master hand as Robot Dreams is anything but. Had this been drawn with human characters, I do not think it would have had quite the same impact. Somehow following these funny looking little animals through their joys and pains has more meaning and deeper resonance. Right from the start, I fully cared for both and could sympathize with what each was going through and only wanted the best for them.

Emotional journeys are the hardest to depict, in my humble opinion. What Sara Varon did with Robot Dreams is simply beautiful; a direct heart to heart dialogue.

From the inside book jacket:
Originally from outside Chicago, Sara Varon now lives in Brooklyn, where she likes to ride her bike, see movies, and hang out with dogs. Her other books include Sweaterweather and Chicken and Cat.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Publisher's Weekly 150 Best Book of the Year 2007
Kirkus Review Best Children's Book of the Year 2007