Zoobots Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals

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· 80 ratings · 24 reviews

Start your review of Zoobots: Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals

Jan 28, 2014 Rob Slaven rated it really liked it

As usual I received this book free in exchange for a review. This time it was from NetGalley. Despite that kindness I give my candid thoughts below and attempt to write a balanced and well-rounded review. Let me know how I do!

In a nutshell this book centers around 12 animal-inspired robots. Each entry is formatted like a dossier giving the robot's name, team (land, air, water), realm (animal family to which it belongs), a few of its vital statistics, its potential uses and a bit about the animal

To the positive, I can see how this book might bridge that gap between animal-lover and future engineer. Lots of kids love animals and if you can somehow use that inspired interest to get them into more math and science classes then that's a real win. So conceptually this one has a great head start. Also, the text is detailed, engaging and seems at about the right level for a 10-12-year-old child. It uses words that they might find challenging but they're often defined in-line and there's a glossary if all else fails. Finally, even as an adult I find these machines potently fascinating so the topic has a broad range of undeniable appeal. It is also a great touch that for each 'Zoobot' they include a 'status' indicating just how far along production is.

On the negative side, I wish that they had included more actual photographs of their subjects. All the animals are real enough and many of the Zoobots are "working prototypes" but all the graphics are illustrations rather than photos. While they are great illustrations it gives the book a unnecessarily cartoonish feel. Also, each Zoobot has a header that's some seemingly appropriate verb. For example the pill bug Zoobot's header is "Spray!" with others of "Stick!", "Ripple!", "Whip!", and most off-putting of all "SNOOORRRFF!" I found these especially childish and rather a waste of space.

In summary, this book is solid but image is everything when it comes to kids. It's filled with interesting content but the presentation seems a bit childish in places and I'm concerned that it won't hit the target age group quite the right way. Or maybe I just have really picky kids.

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Apr 09, 2014 Dory rated it really liked it

This is a great book that describes and explains different robots that have been designed based on animal traits. Including what inspired them and what they are used for. It has great visuals of the robots as well as the animals that inspired a particular robot and explanations of skills that an animal has that a robot borrowed.

I chose to pair it with an older mystery book called Danny Dunn Scientific Detective by Jay Williams. This is a book about a boy who is trying to solve the mystery of a m

I chose to pair it with an older mystery book called Danny Dunn Scientific Detective by Jay Williams. This is a book about a boy who is trying to solve the mystery of a man's disappearance and uses his robotic bloodhound to do it. He also creates other inventions as well. I thought that this was a good pairing because children might be interested after reading the book to learn where robotic technology is heading and whether or not a robotic bloodhound is in the future. Or if children read the book on animal robots first they might enjoy reading what an author has thought might happen with robotic animals.

While the Zoobots book does not talk about robotic bloodhounds it does profile several robots that will have similar functions of finding people once they are perfected. The will do it in different ways than a bloodhound but one of their purposes will be to help locate people.

Merged review:

The nonfiction book Zoobots is a great little book about where robotics are heading in the future and how animals are inspiring how they are made and what they can do. The book explores many different types of robots that are being created and how they behave like different animals.

I chose to pair this book with a fiction book called Danny Dun Scientific Detective by Jay Williams. This book is about a kid who likes science trying to find a missing person with the help of his robotic bloodhound. This works well with a book about robotic animals because kids may be interested in seeing whether or not it is possible for there to be bloodhound robots in the future. They may also be interested to see what other robots are coming along as well. While the book Zoobots does not have a robotic bloodhound it does have several other types that are being developed to help locate missing people or do search and rescue missions.

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Oct 05, 2014 Betsy rated it really liked it

First reviewed on Redeemed Reader

Anthropomorphic robots are the stuff of science fiction movies, but they really exist! Zoobots is a very well-organized, well-illustrated guide to some of the anthropomorphic robots which are in actual use right now. Ranging from robots based on the lowly roly poly all the way to the human-like Geminoid, the robots in Zoobots are each meticulously modeled after a particular living creature in an attempt to make use of that creature's unique gifts and abilities. The resulting robots can do some amazing jobs—from delivering cancer-fighting medication at the cellular level to battling large-scale forest fires. Each robot is described using the following headings: "name," "team," "realm," "super skill," "specifications," "applications," and "special ops," with a final section about the animal that inspired that particular robot. A detailed diagram of the robot and a drawing of the living creature accompany the text.

Of particular note for my conservative friends is the section describing each zoobot's inspiration. Its title is "Evolved From" which appears to be designed to add to the feel of this book as a scientific tome on various animal species. This use of words is unfortunate because there is very little else on most of the robots' pages that even hints at evolution. In fact, the mere existence of these amazing animal abilities and the team of humans that is required even to come close to mimicking those traits in robotic form showcases the marvelous complexity of creation itself. The Geminoid robot modeled after humans is also written in this vein, but the equating of humans with other animals is troublesome.

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There are a lot of robots in with working prototypes or with prototypes in development and many of these are designed based on various animals we have today. Think of a giant fireproof pillbug filled with water that can help detect and put out forest fires. Or robotic cockroachs and starfish that can explore and infiltrate enemy bunkers…or work with search and rescue teams, getting through passages too small for people or dogs. Someone, some team, thought about the unique properties of each anim There are a lot of robots in with working prototypes or with prototypes in development and many of these are designed based on various animals we have today. Think of a giant fireproof pillbug filled with water that can help detect and put out forest fires. Or robotic cockroachs and starfish that can explore and infiltrate enemy bunkers…or work with search and rescue teams, getting through passages too small for people or dogs. Someone, some team, thought about the unique properties of each animal and how those properties could be used to aid people.

Each of 12 robots is presented on black facing pages with narrative printed in white and with large and vibrantly colored photos of both the robot described and the animal it is based on.

Very interesting book. 3rd or 4th grade and up through middle school, although many students will have a lot of questions. Most of these can be answered by putting the name of the robot into a Google search (Octobot, Whitesides Color Changer, etc.) but there are 1 or 2 with such common names the search becomes somewhat complicated. I would have liked to see something to tell us the scale of these robots, how big they are, and in the case of the Ole Pill Bug, how much water can it carry.

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Jan 30, 2014 Meghan Nels rated it really liked it

The bright, vivid pictures accompanied by straightforward, understandable text will attract children who enjoy reading about both science and animals. The definitions and uses of different animals as well as robotic pictures of animal robot prototypes will fascinate children. The only suggested enhancement would be to include some examples of wild animal robots that are currently being used. All of the zoo bots included in the text were prototypes. While they are fascinating it would be even mor The bright, vivid pictures accompanied by straightforward, understandable text will attract children who enjoy reading about both science and animals. The definitions and uses of different animals as well as robotic pictures of animal robot prototypes will fascinate children. The only suggested enhancement would be to include some examples of wild animal robots that are currently being used. All of the zoo bots included in the text were prototypes. While they are fascinating it would be even more amazing to read about current ones being used. ...more

Feb 05, 2014 Sara rated it really liked it

This book is a great take on both robotics and animals. Each page gives a detailed description of the inspiration behind the robot, what its "super power" is, what it's purpose is, and how it works. This is followed by a picture of the prototype robot (or concept) and further description. My 8-year-old science and nature loving boy called the book "Awesome", even though the text is a little higher reading level. The text would be more appropriate for 4th - 8th graders. An interesting book that s This book is a great take on both robotics and animals. Each page gives a detailed description of the inspiration behind the robot, what its "super power" is, what it's purpose is, and how it works. This is followed by a picture of the prototype robot (or concept) and further description. My 8-year-old science and nature loving boy called the book "Awesome", even though the text is a little higher reading level. The text would be more appropriate for 4th - 8th graders. An interesting book that science focused kids will love! ...more

May 19, 2014 Barbara rated it really liked it

Drawing on the characteristics of various animals, scientists are creating robots that can perform in the same way as those creatures while having the advantage of technology. Thus, robot prototypes based on the Pygmy Shrew, the Snake, the Gecko, the Bat, and even from Bacteria have been designed. Two pages show the animal that inspired the creation while describing what each one can do. I loved the names of some of these critters: Stickybot III, Octobot, and Shrewbot. This is technology at its Drawing on the characteristics of various animals, scientists are creating robots that can perform in the same way as those creatures while having the advantage of technology. Thus, robot prototypes based on the Pygmy Shrew, the Snake, the Gecko, the Bat, and even from Bacteria have been designed. Two pages show the animal that inspired the creation while describing what each one can do. I loved the names of some of these critters: Stickybot III, Octobot, and Shrewbot. This is technology at its most fascinating. ...more

Heliane Becker has come up with a cute idea with her book Zoobots. I have to say the set up was my favorite part. The book is set up like a non-fiction animal book. Each bot gets one page with its facts and statistics. Informing the read so they know everything about that particular bot. Due to this it was not a read straight through book for me. It comes off as more of a fictional resource but still cute. 3 stars

Dec 13, 2015 Steph rated it really liked it

Kids will love this, and it's got super cool scientific information, too. And while I personally think this is fascinating, I'm frustrated having to wonder WHERE is the bibliography information? It feels like it's possible that someone with a very creative mind made this whole thing up. And if it's a fictionalized book of "zoobots" that's fine, but it's definitely listed as a nonfiction book. Hmmmm...
Kids will love this, and it's got super cool scientific information, too. And while I personally think this is fascinating, I'm frustrated having to wonder WHERE is the bibliography information? It feels like it's possible that someone with a very creative mind made this whole thing up. And if it's a fictionalized book of "zoobots" that's fine, but it's definitely listed as a nonfiction book. Hmmmm...
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My son loved this book and found the information fascinating. I also found it interesting to learn that robots are made so small and how far technology can go, he plans on using this as a science presentation for this years up and coming science fair. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to read this book!

Sep 15, 2014 Quetae rated it it was amazing

I thought it was amazing because it made me think about what it whould be likeif they were relesed to the wild how will they react if they came across a real animal.I also found out that what it whould be like if like I was one of the animals and how I whoud react if I was one of them.That was why thisbook is amazing.

An amazing little book supposedly written for youth. It contains information that I have not seen in adult materials. It is succinct, understandable, and jam-packed with information. One section even talks about the combination of organic and inorganic materials in a bacterium. The illustrations are excellent but may not show a clear picture of the actual bot. A good book for all ages!

Aug 15, 2014 Beth rated it liked it

Very interesting concept and an attractive boo. However the lack of a bibliography or background information on the labs developing these robots will make it harder for young readers to check whether this is truly a nonfiction book or something along the lines of the Pacific Tree Octopus website.

A clever idea, with lots of kid appeal. I would have liked more information about how these are actually being used in real life, including real photographs. Unfortunately, there are no source notes or bibliography.

Jan 07, 2015 Linda rated it really liked it

Fascinating stories of 12 robots that are being created, based on different animals. The text is clear and engaging and the illustrations are excellent. I wish references had been included but there was only an index and a glossary at the end.

Feb 13, 2014 Ryan rated it it was amazing

This was entertaining and educational. I know lots of kids who will check this book out.

Jun 19, 2014 Joseph rated it liked it

Liked the book, got it for my niece trying to get her into robotics...thought it needed more Real Life images and robots but otherwise a great little read.

Jul 12, 2014 Heydi Smith rated it really liked it

Awesome. Great for reluctant readers. Love to see how scientists have used inspiration from nature.

Jul 21, 2014 Micki U rated it it was amazing

Find out about animals that have inspired some create and inventive robots! A great book to pair with a maker station!

Aug 20, 2014 Carol rated it really liked it

Absolutely fascinating! The information about these zoobot prototypes is presented in a fun and engaging way. Readers will appreciate the format and enjoy the photos and illustrations.

Zoobots – Wild Robots inspired by Real Animals by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Alex Ries – Really cool to look through these inventive robots that were inspired by real animals.

Robots modeled after insect and animal abilities.

Helaine Becker has written over 70 books, including the #1 National bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree,and its sequel, Dashing through the Snow, Sloth at the Zoom, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, the Looney Bay All-Stars chapter book series, non-fiction including Counting on Katherine, Worms for Breakfast and Zoobots (all Junior Library Guild Selections), Monster Science, You Can Read, Lines Bars a Helaine Becker has written over 70 books, including the #1 National bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree,and its sequel, Dashing through the Snow, Sloth at the Zoom, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, the Looney Bay All-Stars chapter book series, non-fiction including Counting on Katherine, Worms for Breakfast and Zoobots (all Junior Library Guild Selections), Monster Science, You Can Read, Lines Bars and Circles, and Boredom Blasters, plus many picture books and young adult novels. She also writes for children's magazines and for children's television. Her show Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab was a finalist at MIP.com Junior in Cannes.
She has won the Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children twice,once for The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea and once for The Insecto-Files, and the Picture Book of the Year Award from the Canadian Booksellers Association for A Porcupine in a Pine Tree. She has also won three Silver Birch awards and a Red Cedar award.

Helaine Becker holds U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She attended high school in New York, university in North Carolina (Go Blue Devils!!!!) and now lives in Toronto with her husband and dog, Ella. She has two really handsome sons.

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