Robot Dreams

Last year, Sara Varon came out with Chicken and Cat, an adorable wordless picture book. Now she has a new full-length wordless graphic novel out, called Robot Dreams. And, to put it briefly... it is freakin' adorable.

A shy, floppy-eared dog finds the solution to his loneliness when he orders a DIY robot kit through the mail. The two friends enjoy trips to the library, popcorn and TV movies... but a day at the beach ends tragically, when Robot rusts solid after a dip. When Dog returns to the beach a few days later, with his repair kit, he finds the beach has been closed for the season, a tall chain-link fence separating him from his friend.

In the months that follow, Dog looks for friendship with other assorted critters: ducks, anteaters, a penguin, and even a snowman. But each experience leaves Dog with a sense of loss. No one can replace his dear friend Robot. Meanwhile, Robot lies on the beach and dreams.

I don't want to give away more of the plot, so suffice it to say both Dog and Robot do find ways to cope with their loss. The ending is bittersweet but rings with truth.

Sara Varon infuses every character with incredible sweetness and emotion. Whether Dog is whipping his tail in excitement when the postman rings his buzzer, staring aghast at his anteater pals' favorite snack, glaring daggers at the back of a cat who had the audacity to dress as a robot for Halloween, or sitting mournfully on a park bench, your heart is right there with him.

Robot Dreams is a beautiful, heartfelt gem of a book. It may well be my favorite book of the year. If you're looking for a birthday or holiday gift for a friend, look no further. Or buy it for yourself. At the very least, borrow it from your local library. It's a treat for all ages.