Dot Unplugged

Dot

by Randi Zuckerberg

Can Dot and her family make it through a rainy day without any tech?

It's pouring rain, and the power's gone out at Dot's house. Should they take it as a challenge to honor the National Day of Unplugging? Playing outside is out of the question, and so is using the many devices Dot is accustomed to. But what might the basement hold? Dot, her friend Hal, Mom, Dad, and Scratch find lots of exciting stuff, including an old spinner game. It turns out it's super fun to watch Dad do charades, Mom speed-sculpt from clay, Hal tweet-sing a song, and Dot hunt for something surprising. Their improvised game keeps them so entertained, they just might decide to stay unplugged a bit longer!

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and into to the concept of unplugging. The story could be useful during this pandemic and an order to stay home (shelter in place) because the family in the story is unable to go outside. The book concludes with 50 simple, tech-free activity suggestions.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dot Unplugged by Randi Zuckerberg. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Entertainment, 2020. $17. 9781536209839

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Scratch, the family dog, wants to play with someone but everyone is busy with their electronics. When the power goes out, the family bans together and plays an old family game that involves charades and other clue giving elements.

I really liked the mid century modern style of the book and it has an appropriate message about fun existing out of electronics that can sometimes disconnect us. I thought the very specific game it took to have fun was a little narrow and even cheesy.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Dot and her family make it through a rainy day without any tech?

It’s pouring rain, and the power’s gone out at Dot’s house. Should they take it as a challenge to honor the National Day of Unplugging? Playing outside is out of the question, and so is using the many devices Dot is accustomed to. But what might the basement hold? Dot, her friend Hal, Mom, Dad, and Scratch find lots of exciting stuff, including an old spinner game. It turns out it’s super fun to watch Dad do charades, Mom speed-sculpt from clay, Hal tweet-sing a song, and Dot hunt for something surprising. Their improvised game keeps them so entertained, they just might decide to stay unplugged a bit longer!

Out February 2020

32 Pages

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest reviews.

I found this book refreshing. Everything inside reflected on what I was just telling my own family we needed to do. Living in a technological world is often very absorbing and controlling. It is hard to set it all aside for a day off from technology, but we should.

This book tells the story of what happens when the power goes out preventing everyone from using their technological devices, like phones, video games… Now, they need to figure out what to do with power. It’s a tough adjustment for Dot but they find a board game that they play and enjoy for hours.

I like how there are unplugged ideas at the back of the book too.

I enjoyed this story and think it sends an important message to all families.

[W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dot's dog Scratch wants somebody - anybody - to play with him, but the whole family is too busy with screens: video games, computers, and circuit boards. When the power goes out, the family decides to celebrate the National Day of Unplugging by staying away from screen time. Dot finds an old game in the basement, and everyone has fun doing silly tasks and creating things.

The book has its heart in the right place, but it's a bit too bland and on the nose to be really impactful. Also, the fact that the book is based on a cartoon makes the premise feel a little hypocritical. Still, it's always good to have a reminder to put down the screen and make your own fun.

Thank you to Candlewick Press and LibraryThing for the advanced copy of this book!*
*This did not affect my review or rating.

[Joelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book meant well, but I was bothered by the fact that they were forced to unplug even though her mother knew it was National Day to Unplug. I felt that this aspect of the book showed that while they had fun unplugging, they will never do it again unless they are made to. It also fell short showing how much fun they can have unplugging, plus the dog still seemed to be ignored. I think a better ending would have been if they would have wound up outside (after the storm clears) playing with Scratch as a family. Overall the book is a good idea on a topic that is needed, but needs to be better thought out.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kiddo liked this because it's our family in reverse...in our family it's usually mom at the computer while dad solders circuit boards, here it was the opposite.
I thought this was going to make me feel guilty as a parent but honestly it didn't. I liked the fact that they all kinda got into it and ended up finding an old game and I liked the fact that everybody was guilty of being on screens too much, not just the kids or just the parents. Good ideas of screen free activities in the back although some will need advance planning if you're not going to use the Internet to look things up (recipes, a language book, etc.)

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Unplugging is harder than I thought, especially when you can’t go outside.”

When a storm puts the lights out, Dot, her parents, and friend Hal decide to spend the rest of the day unplugged. At first, Dot and Hal aren’t quite sure what they can do while it’s storming outside, but in the basement there is a treasure trove of games and other items that would be effective in joyfully passing the time without electronics.

Includes a list in the back of things students can do without the use of devices/electronics.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this day and age of everything we do depending on electricity and access to the internet Dot and her family have to find ways to cope when their power goes out. Initially they are not quite sure what to do with themselves but then explore their house for ideas. Ultimately they realize they are having fun and wonder about continuing to find alternative amusements without needing electricity. This is a wonderful lesson about finding other ways to have fun that don’t need electricity or the internet.

[John Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, straightforward picture book with an important message, not only for little readers, but their parents. That message: There's plenty to enjoy and get involved in aside from technology. The story involves Dot, her brother, parents, and the family dog, beginning when the pup wants someone to play with him. Everyone's too busy until the power goes out. When Mom remembers it's National Unplug Day, it gets everyone involved with simpler, but equally fun activities.

[Melanie Coombes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's picture book, about 32 pages long. Dot and her family love electronics and technology, but when the lights go out during a storm, they decide it's a perfect time to get unplugged. This book is a great message to kids and especially to parents. Kids need to use their imagination and discover creativity with simple things. The colors are really bright and eye catching for younger children. I received a complimentary book via Librarything Early Reviewers.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power goes out in Dot's home during a storm and her and her family need to decide what to do while the they are "unplugged". This was a great story, with a straight forward and simple message for children to understand. It shows the importance of going unplugged and that we need to set down the electronics every once and awhile. I wish it was a little longer, but it kept my 4-year old son engaged. I also really appreciated that the book has ideas in the back for unplugged activities.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story is annoying because:
1- The power just HAPPENS to go out, and suddenly you remember it just HAPPENS to be National Unplug Day?
2- The power goes out (and there's a storm outside), yet the mom goes to the basement to turn the lights back on?
3- They can't think of anything to do that doesn't involve power? Sad.
4- At the start of the book, they all ignore the dog because they're "too busy" on their electronics.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's sad, but it's come to this. We have to write children's books about unplugging from our devices and using our time with something other than electronics. This is the day and age in which we live. BUT since we have to, it's a fun picture book - all based around a family that unplugs for the day when their power goes out. They find things to do that they haven't done in quite awhile. Maybe start a new tradition at your house????

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to love books as a child that established challenges for better behavior or more solid rules, but this one just comes off as patronizing to me as an an adult. I like the concept of doing an "unplugged" day or week, but I think there are more relatable ways of connecting to the concept. For kids who NEED a book to envision such things, this one is not the first I've seen, but it IS the most direct to address the idea.

[Connie T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scratch the dog wants someone to play with but everyone in the family is busy - not just busy but doing something with electronics. When the power goes out, they decide to have a few hours of "unplugged" time. (Unless they use battery power, they don't really have a choice.)

There isn't much depth to this story. The focus isn't on limiting screen time but how to stay busy without power. Blackout is a much better choice.

[Maegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generous three stars. It irked me that the family didn't commit to the "day of unplugging" until they were forced to. Apparently, this is a TV show tie-in. Cute illustrations, unsurprising, given it's based on an animated show. Why are all the stories in books based on TV shows so bland? (probably so the child will prefer the TV show over reading, thinks my cynical brain!)

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU]

I thought this story was cute and can relate to some families during this time of the pandemic. I think everyone could use a day of unplugging and hanging out with friends and family without electronics. Electronics are becoming something students do instead of going outside and playing. I think students could learn from this story and have fun using other things.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! I randomly found this one and thought it might have some fun ideas for staying off the phone all the time. The games they played reminded me of when I was younger and there was no internet. It is good to unplug sometimes. I also felt bad for the dog at the beginning.

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 89

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the whole idea of being unplugged....in today's world, that is something we should all do. I loved how the family came together and enjoyed their time together and didn't want to quit when their time was up....

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dot's family takes on the challenge of National Day of Unplugging.

[Wylaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are better books about "unplugging" out there.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book! Loved it!

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect story for these times. When Dot and family lose power, they discover how fun unplugging can be! Full page of suggestions in the back for things to do.

[Pinky · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the electricity goes out Dot wants to play, but it's time to unplug and save the electronics for another day.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very relevant book. We need to unplug and have some fun.

[Big · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected with some timely ideas for things to do during the pandemic to “unplug.”

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable and nothing new, but fun illustrations. Decent read aloud for Day of Unplugging..

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the power goes out Dot and her family must find something to do. Great introduction for kids on taking a day to unplug from technology.

[Kim Esmael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the color illustrations.