A review by tashrow
Clink by Kelly DiPucchio, Matthew Myers, Matt Myers

4.0

Clink used to be a new robot, but now he is dusty and squeaky. Even his ability to make toast and play music doesn’t attract the children anymore. Instead they want newer robots with retractable arms or the ability to bake cookies. When Clink tried to be like the newer robots, it never worked well. Finally Clink just gave up and hid himself away. A long time later, a boy came to the shop and wasn’t interested in any of the new robots. As the boy left the store, he played a song on a harmonica. When Clink heard the music, he came to life. He began to sing and then to dance. But just as he caught the boy’s attention, a spring popped free and hit the boy right in the face. Had Clink lost his chance to finally find a home?

DiPucchio has created a world where robots are cool but only if they are new. Her writing is long enough to really describe a full world. The book reads aloud easily and has a great built-in appeal with the charm of Clink himself on the cover and the robot theme.

Myers helps visually build the world that DiPucchio describes so well. His depictions of the new robots are just as whimsical as Clink himself. I especially enjoy the hair-cutting robot that moves around on a broom and the cookie-baking robot that wheels around on a rolling pin. Myers uses bright colors and deep colors together. He manages to make the robots feel physical and real.

A good pick for any young robot lover, who might enjoy designing their own robot on paper and giving it some interesting capabilities too. Appropriate for ages 4-7.