Stories of Robots (Young Reading Series 1)

by Russell Punter

Machines cause mayhem in these hi-tech tales with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading on their own. Robot racers fight to reach the finish line, the Tidybot goes out of control and a sneaky thief plans a robot robbery. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. The audio CD includes a dramatic listen-along recording with music and sound effects, followed by a read-along version with prompts for page turns.

Genres: Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Russell Punter was born in Bedfordshire, England. From an early age he enjoyed writing and illustrating his own stories. He trained as a graphic designer at art college in West Sussex before entering the world of publishing. He has written over one hundred books for children of all ages, ranging from original stories to adaptations of classic novels.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the 2005 American edition. This little book of three robot stories by Russell Punter was first published in the UK in 2004.

Writing short stories is easy. Writing GOOD short stories is hard. Writing good flash fiction pieces is damn near impossible, but Punter pulls it off not one, but three times. Often in books like these, the illustrations are much better than the stories, but here they perfectly compliment each other, even if Andrew Hamilton's robots all seem to be inspired by Futurama.

Despite the alarming cover, no fictional animals were hurt in the course of the book.

Selections:

* The Terrible Tidybot: The title alone made me shiver. This was a modern horror story -- and damn good if, like me, you enjoyed many a Twilight Zone episode.
* Robot Robbery: A hard working robot us reprogrammed to rob gold from a bank. This was a tight, well done story.
* Robot Racers: Title sounds like a bizarre Animal Ark Pets book. The robots are a bit too human in this world where, I guess, every living thing is a robot. The bad robot is a really good baddie, so it seems Our Protagonist just can't compete with him/it. Weakest story of the three, but still good for a laugh and a cheer.

[Enrique Patiño · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and really fun book, appropriate for children and adults.

[Liliana Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining book that talks about Hindu culture

[Aparna Jyothikumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read! Could have concluded with better morals for the new trending generation!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Nostalgic :-)

[Kevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Machines cause mayhem in these hi-tech tales. The robot racers are in a fight to the finish line. Luke Lively's Tidybot is out of control. And mechancial muscle is used to rob a bank. Stand back and watch the sparks fly.