ARTificial Intelligence

by David Biedrzycki

Ever since he was a little chip, Robot knew he was ART-ificially different. A funny and heartfelt picture book exploring AI, art, and creativity.Try as he might, Robot can't keep up with the other robots at the warehouse. But when he's sent off for reprogramming, he takes a wrong turn and ends up encountering music, dancing, and ART! He tries to share his discovery, only to find that art is hard to explain—and even harder to do. Will Robot learn to express himself and transform the warehouse . . . or will he be recycled?

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Robots, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy

56 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2024

About the author

In his early years David created stories for his parents and friends. A commercial artist since 1980, his work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, book covers, billboards and even ice cream boxes. The supermarket is like a gallery of his work.

Now he has now returned to his first love of picture book storytelling. He has illustrated close to 30 books including self-authored and award winning Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series, Me and My Dragon series and his newest series Breaking News Bear Alert, a Junior Library Guild Selection and winner of book the Illinois Monarch Picture Book Award and the Georgia State Picture Book Award. David travels the world extensively to over 100 schools a year sharing his digital book making process with aspiring young writers, illustrators and readers.

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A robot who struggles to perform his assigned tasks because of his tendency to daydream and stop to notice incredible sights, is sent for reprogramming and accidentally goes outside the factory instead. He discovers some incredible things he can't wait to share with his fellow robots, but will they understand or send him to the scrap heap?

This was a delightful journey to discover the beauty in different art forms, and also the value of different talents and abilities. I appreciated the nods to Bob Ross in the painting instruction program the robot stumbles across. And very appropriately, this book about appreciating art is itself a beautiful work of art; the illustrations are fabulous.

[Lex Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this the only kind of AI that should be permitted anywhere near writing and illustration, this work of Artistic Inspiration is also wonderful and endearing.

[Aimee Leonhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of a quirky robot who learns how to express himself. The illustrations really compliment the text and add to the story.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Absolutely adorable! Robot has always been different. But it isn't until he experiences the magic of art that he finds an outlet for his ambitions. Follow Robot as he navigates the strict dynamics within the warehouse where he works and the beauty of the world beyond.

Such a sweet story. I love the balance between the illustrations and the text to move the story along. Themes of the beauty of learning, the power of a creative outlet, and worker satisfaction influencing productivity.

Absolutely gorgeous artwork. The colors are so wonderful. I also liked that while Robot is inspired by the world and the art he encounters, his own creations are quite different from anything he saw. A nice nod at the creative process while differentiating it from the use of AI to copy and transform existing human art.

A stunning picture book that lives up to its subject matter of art, creativity, and imagination.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of being different in a mechanical world. Sometimes it’s okay to take a wrong turn.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t work for me. I loved the illustrations but the story didn’t hang together. Too many questions. Why did the robot get to come back to work after he was told to leave? Did the robot paint when given the paintbrush? He lost the paintbrush but all of a sudden he has a paintbrush back at his job. Liked the idea of self expression with art and enjoyed the illustrations, but think the author was trying to fit a longer story into too few pages.

[Reading With Yeti · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This Robot has Big Dreams "
Since he was just a little chip, Robot knew he was different. Despite his efforts to fit in with the other robots, his daydreaming often disrupted their workflow. Following a poor evaluation, Robot was sent for reprogramming, only to discover a unique path to amazing creativity.
"ARTificial Intelligence" by David Biedrzycki explores the crossroad of art and artificial intelligence in a fun and engaging way. Through captivating illustrations and approachable language, the author highlights that AI can serve both as a tool and for creativity.
Ultimately, Robot's journey inspires readers to follow their passions and embrace what they love.
"ARTificial Intelligence" celebrates self-discovery, inspiration, and perseverance.
Ideal for curious , early elementary school readers.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robot works in a factory. However he is made differently than the other robots. He gets distracted following orders and is sent to be deprogrammed. Once Robot escapes his grim life he explores the every day world. When he tries to bring the beauty of the world to the other robots they struggle to escape the confines of their programming.
This book does an excellent job of using color to highlight beauty and wonder. The splashes of color in the factory are beautiful. I really enjoyed the artwork a lot. This is a beautiful book about fighting against the places you are boxed into.

[Aileen Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met David years ago as we both navigated the book fair circuit, and I have been a big fan ever since. So when I found this book at my local library, I had to check it out!

I found it amusing in this day and age of AI bashing that David chose to tell a story of heartfelt creativity and art appreciation using a robot. And while I did wonder how robot went back to the factory and painted after his paintbrush fell into the gutter, I don't feel this deterred enough from the story to make it a one or two star like some people have suggested.

Instead, I was reminded of one of my favorite movies, Short Circuit. David's art work, beautiful as always, moved robot's story along as he searched for meaning when he didn't fit in with all the other robots. I also loved that he found what he was looking for in the art museum and his greatest wish was to share what he'd found with others.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

About Robot, who is different from other robots because he daydreams. He gets in trouble and is threatened with reprogramming, so he runs outside and sees the outside world, including a museum and a girl painting. He learns how to paint and paints his robot warehouse and his boss (who wanted to reprogram him) lets him paint inside and outside and turn the place into an art museum. Encourages children to be creative - that making art may not be easy or what you think, but that what you make is beautiful. Interesting intersection of robots/tech and art. Nicely illustrated - seems digitally drawn on an iPad with the details on the robots, and pretty colors used to showcase the art with the previous backgrounds being gray/blues.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robot is different from all the others around him. He can't just work mechanically all day. He gets distracted by the bird singing outside the window and he can't help but to stop and appreciatively gaze at it. When he does so, he holds up the line of workers, resulting in a chaotic pile of metal upon metal as the work line is disrupted. When he is kicked out of the factory, Robot discovers a whole new world: the art museum, a girl painting in the park, and he loves it all. When he returns to the factory, chaos again ensues, but as he gets his hands on some paint, a whole new surprise awaits.

This reminds me of an art picture book version of The Wild Robot. I love the illustrations in this and the witty title!

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

When he ventures outside from the warehouse where he works, Robot discovers, not only a great, big, beautiful world, but a love of art. A desire to create has been kindled, but how to begin this painting thing . . . that's the problem.

I loved everything about this book, particularly the author's amazing artwork.




Many thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the delightful read.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robot is different from other robots at his factory job. He daydreams. So he is sent to reprogramming. Fortunately, he takes a wrong turn and ends up outside! He is filled with wonder - especially at the art museum. He returns to the factory to share his joy with the other robots. They are intrigued but afraid to go out into the world. So robot brings the art to them. And it changes their world! With the introduction of art and color - they become more productive and happier.
True art always comes from the heart!

[Scarleth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Una historia muy tierna y fácil de entender para niños, en lo que a mí me parece el formato de "libro álbum". Corta, pero interesante.

Preciosas ilustraciones, y un mensaje claro: No todos somos iguales y eso está bien, porque cada uno de nosotros aportamos al mundo en que vivimos de la mejor forma en que podemos hacerlo.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Charlesbridge for the opportunity to read this eARC. I loved the illustrations and the contrast of the bright colors of the artwork to the grays of the robots. Robot isn't very good at just doing his work in the warehouse with the rest of the robots. When he accidentally ends up outside, his world is changed by the discovery of art. This is a great story about finding what you love and sharing it with your friends and the world.

[Lisa]

Look, the art is beautiful in this.

But, I feel like I might be wrong for this, there is something off about a story focused on a robot who learns about art through seeing it, putting a disc in his head, and learning from it, who then is able to create his own art.
...isn't that what AI is?

I know this book's title is a play on AI and that was not what Biedrzycki was trying to do.

It just felt like something was off...like the message didn't quite land. Maybe it's just me though?

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just fine to me. It touches on AI (as in artistic impression and expression). It also is about finding beauty inside and out.

I really do like the illustrations (which are generated on the computer but NOT from AI). Still, I find there isn't a lot that will bring me back to this book. My higher review is more for the drawings themselves.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for all those who love art; kids, adults, and yes. . . maybe even robots!. I think many artistic people will recognize the way in which this artistic robot feels trapped. However, it breaks out and discovers that creativity, color, inspiration, and other artists abound.
I loved the premise and was inspired by Biedrzycki’s take on the fun of being creative!

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars -- The illustrations were nice to follow along with, but the story itself (the wording) is what made this story kind of fall apart. It felt like it had some momentum, then about halfway through it just fell apart. Cute illustrations -- I feel like it could have/should have been wordless. (Diamond 25-26)

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robots meet art- yes please. We need more whismy, beauty, and imagination in the world. Can a robot be more than its programming? Can art and beauty come from cold parts and coding?

Kids and adults will be awed by the way one robot moves beyond its world. A great companion picture book for The Wild Robot series.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for all those who love art; kids, adults, and yes…maybe even robots! I think many artistic people will recognize the way in which this artistic robot feels trapped. However, it breaks out and discovers that creativity, color, inspiration, and other artists abound. I love the premise and was inspired by Biedrzycki’s take on the fun of being creative!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about being different. AI was being sent to be re-programmed because he continually made mistakes in the production line. He accidentally finds himself outdoors, and his quest for artwork pushes him forward. Worker by day, artist by night. What a lovely, imaginative story.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this delightful book. Colorful, imaginative, and whimsical, this book celebrates the power of imagination and creativity. Such a fun read! Looking forward to sharing it with my students.

[Kylie Grace Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through beautiful illustration, this picture book helped me understand artificial intelligence further through humanizing (which makes me laugh) AI and robots as a whole. Definitely a read that young kids would laugh and love and I can't wait to read this to a classroom one day!

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A daydreaming robot discovers the beauty and joy in creating original artwork using paintbrushes and paint. “He soon found out that making art . . . was not easy.” And that sometimes what appears at first glance to be failure, is something completely different when we take a step back.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too disjointed and chaotic (ironically). I get what the message is and I don't disagree with it. I just think the story got too ahead of itself to effectively communicate with readers, especially if those readers are young children. The illustrations are great, though.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our 4-year-old show great wonder over this book.
A factory robot consistently gets in trouble for day dreaming. After a trip to the outside, he returns with colorful ideas, transforming all the robots.
No more "little boxes made of ticky taky."

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a drop of paint is spilled on a microchip, the robot that is built from that chip is art-fully enabled and not meant for the drudgery of warehouse life.

Not recommended for storytime. Just weird.

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pair this book with an art-bot activity or abstract art challenge

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations are wonderful and the use of color to show the robot's journey into his creative side was the best part.