#1 in The Wild Robot Series
The Wild Robot
on Goodreads (74,230)
What’s inside...
The Wild Robot is the story of Roz, a robot who wakes up alone on a remote island and must learn to survive, gather food, and even make friends with the local animals, who initially fear her. As Roz adapts to her environment and becomes more 'wild' herself, she raises her adopted gosling, 'Brightbill', to be a loyal and loving son. The book concludes with the robot's creators arriving to take her back to the factory, where her memories will be erased.
Character compass
Discussion points
How do you think Roz felt when she first arrived on the island and why?
What does the story teach us about the relationship between technology and nature?
If you were one of the animals on the island, how would you react to meeting Roz?
What are some ways Roz tries to fit into her new environment and why are they important?
How do you think the story would change if Roz had landed on a different type of island?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express how they might feel in Roz's situations, enhancing emotional awareness.
Discuss the importance of adapting to new environments, drawing parallels to your child's experiences in new settings or challenges.
Explore the theme of friendship with your child by talking about Roz’s interactions with the animals, prompting them to share their thoughts on making friends in unusual circumstances.
Invite your child to imagine alternate scenarios, fostering creative thinking and perspective-taking.
Highlight the balance between technology and nature, prompting deeper discussion on their roles in your child’s daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Adaptation and resilience
Explanation: The protagonist, Roz, is a robot who learns to adapt to her surroundings and the creatures on a remote island after being shipwrecked.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of adjusting to new environments and challenges, demonstrating that being resilient can help overcome unexpected situations.
Example Lesson: Friendship and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the story, Roz builds friendships with the island’s wildlife, learning that cooperation and mutual aid are essential for survival.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children the value of working together and supporting others, whether in school projects or family activities.
Example Lesson: Caring for the environment
Explanation: Roz learns how to live harmoniously with nature, showing respect and care for her environment.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be mindful of their environmental impact and fosters a sense of responsibility to take care of the planet.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: The robot shows empathy towards the animals' feelings and needs, even though they are very different from her own.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of empathy, teaching them to be considerate and kind towards others’ feelings and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and creativity
Explanation: Roz often faces challenges that she solves using her creativity and available resources, which keeps her and her friends safe.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance of using one's ingenuity and resources at hand to navigate difficulties, a vital skill for personal and academic success.