Robot's First Snow

by Billy Sharff, Hannah Abbo (illustrator)

A charming picture book about play and the wonder of the winter season.

All day in the factory, Robot sorts and stacks. At night, he wishes the other bots could play, but they're programmed to work, and work, and work.

But one day, when the humans don't show up, and something strange is falling outside, Robot's sensors detect SNOW.

Robot wants to go out there

And feel the snowflakes in the air.

Can he convince his fellow robots that playing has a purpose?

Will Robot get to have a snow day too?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Robots

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little robot, bored from the tedium of its routine, discovers the magic of snow.

I received this in a recent bundle of advance reader's copies and it was my favorite of the set. I can't wait to read this is storytime. There's something very genuine and open-hearted about it that reminds me of Penguin and Pinecone. The illustrations are pretty charming. The illustrations have a warmth though there is almost a flattened two dimensional perspective, conjuring up memories of Keats' A Snowy Day on or even the folk art of Charles Wysocki with some of the building exteriors--only obviously plus robots.You have to love it.

The rhyme scheme is pleasant and flows nicely without feeling forced--sonething that sadly, is not always a given in a picture book. Delightful to read aloud. Highly recommended.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentler view of the future of human/robot relations than one might take away from 2001: A Space Odyssey or The Terminator.  A cute, kid-sized robot with rounded edges (a distant cousin of R2D2 but with legs) works in a factory in this simple, rhyming story. He’s a bit dreamy when compared with his peers, a squadron of Multibots who assemble circuit boards and the single-minded Vacuumbot. When Robot sees the first snowflakes begin to drift down, he rushes outside to play, despite the Multibots’ query: “What’s the purpose? Are there outside tasks to do?”, rendered in a bright orange retro-digital font. Glimpsing a racially diverse group of kids and grown-ups playing in the snow, the little bot leads his worker drones toward them, with each robot making a contribution to the fun: mapping the route, blowing a path, and helping to build a snow human. Afterwards, everyone adjourns to a snug coffeeshop to bond and serve their new friends some hot oil. Simple language and easy rhyming couplets will make this a popular read aloud for young listeners: “Robot, Robot, test and try. Throw a snowball to the sky. Carve a snowbot. Knock it down. Build a whole big snowbot town!” The charming full-page bleed illustrations may be digital but resemble mixed media, featuring a soft wintery color palette, punctuated by the humans’ bright outerwear and occasional blinking lights on the bots. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snow and robots don’t usually go together, but in this picture book, the mix is all big fun. A bored and lonely robot who seems to finish his work earlier than his fellows heads out to investigate the season’s first snow and discovers great fun. Not wanting the others to miss out, he uses his flashlight to summon the other factory robots to join not only him, but the humans also playing in the snow.

Billy Sharff’s book will appeal to young fans of robots and those who enjoy playing the snow or who don’t get the opportunity to experience it. It is an awkward read at times, however, with forced or sometimes non-existent rhyme or rhythm. The computer generated illustrations are detailed, appealing, and provide plenty of opportunity to expand the vocabulary of young listeners in areas of winter, robots, factories, family fun, and plenty of action verbs connected to those things.

Thanks for the print arc, Sourcebooks.

[Katie Reilley]

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the printed ARC.

Young readers will enjoy the unlikely pairing of two things that don’t typically go together: snow and robots. When a snow day closes Robot’s factory, the bored robot decides to explore the snowy outside world. After throwing snowballs and building a snowbot town, Robot spies humans playing in the snow. He invites the Multibots from the factory to help the humans build snow-humans and join in the fun, warming up with “hot oil” when the fun is done.

With rhyming text and bright illustrations, young readers will enjoy the experience of a snow day.

Publishing 10/7/25.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in rhyme, this book written by Billy Sharff and illustrated by Hanna Abbo tells the story of Robot, a factory worker who longs for a break from work. One day, the humans don't show up at the factory and Robot discovers there is snow outside. He has a bit of difficulty persuading the other robots to go outside and too but when they realize they can help the humans with the snow, the others go along.

Once they explore, the robots help the humans and even discover play. Now they look forward to snow and taking a break from work for play.

Recommended for children experiencing winter and those who are fascinated by robots and rhyme.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Robot's day is done, he feels lonely with nothing to do. Then one day he sees something new - white falling from the sky.

Robot's adventure is charming, funny and will satisfy young readers with the happy conclusion. Kids love to know more than the protagonist and that device works well here.

Hannah Abbo's digital illustrations work perfectly with the tale and bring life and spark to the little robot.

This would make an excellent read aloud and is a great choice for weather and seasonal themes.

[GEP Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robot's First Snow by Billy Sharff is pure winter magic! This sweet story follows a curious little robot discovering snow for the first time, and it perfectly captures the wonder and joy of new experiences. The writing is gentle and heartwarming, and the illustrations glow with cozy charm. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to bundle up, sip cocoa, and share a smile. A delightful read for kids—and anyone who remembers their own first snowfall!

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 3 out of 5]

All day in the factory, Robot sorts and stacks. At night he wishes the other bots could play, but they are programmed to work. But one day when the humans don’t show up, and snow is falling outside Robot’s sensors detect snow. Can he convince his fellow robots that playing has a purpose? Will Robot get to have a snow day too?

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A factory robot is curious about the outdoors on a snowy day when no humans come to work-- perhaps robots can play on snow days, too! A cute and fun story of a well-deserved break.

[Angie Kreitzburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this copy from a Goodreads giveaway. It was a cute story about a robot that discovers snow and I’m looking forward to sharing it with young visitors to my Little Free Library.