The Robot and the Bluebird

I bought this book for my 4 year old boy after reading Halibut Jackson to him for monthswhich be absolutely loves.This story is another heartwarming read, teaching children empathy and caring for others.Beautifully written and fantastic illustrations too.

What a LOVELY book - about love, loss and sacrifice essentially but very beautifully written and extremely moving and very positive. It's a great book if you know you will facing a bereavement to prepare the way. Age group about 3 upwards, possibly even from 2 1/2.If however you have suffered recent loss it is very hard to read if you are sensitive. Even had my husband welling up.Not religious so would not offend, and also sits well within a religious context too if wanted.My son (almost 4) thought it a sad book, but also very much liked it and certainly I did not have any feeling of dwelling on death on his part.It's a good read, beautifully illustrated and certainly introduces the concept of loss and selflessness in a very sensitive, poignant and positive way.

My son loved this story at 3, 4, 5 and still likes it now at 6. Great illustrations and a lovely story. The ending gets me every time, no matter how many times I've read it (as anyone with young kids will know, that is many, many, many, many times).

Absolutely beautiful book, which has become a firm favourite in our household. He holds together the poignancy of the plot without making it mawkish. The illustrations are as with his other books, both wonderfully styled, and perfectly suited to the story.

This is a beautiful book about self sacrifice and loss. A fantastic text for developing philosophical questions amongst children

Beautifully illustrated book. Some might find it a little saccharine, others a little sad; but the underlying message is one of hopefulness.

Very similar to the happy giant. It’s such a lovely lovely story.

Me and son aged 3 love this book.....perfect for a robot fan.

Unbelievable book.

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read. The plot is sublimely simple: a robot with a broken heart gets tossed in the junk pile. A fragile, migrating bird lands on his shoulder. She needs a warm place to rest for the night, so the robot builds her a nest in the spot where his heart once was. Then he begins a long journey, carrying his new friend toward southern warmth. And when the old robot's strength gives out, he leaves a monument to selfless devotion... and shelter for all the birds of the air.There are deep and wonderful themes in Lucas's gently-told story--loneliness, friendship, mutual need, love, sacrifice, and even death. I think this book could open doors to great conversations with children. And fortunately, The Robot and The Bluebird is also lovely to read for its own sake, with its charming, understated illustrations and spare prose.I bought three copies of The Robot and The Bluebird, one for my own family, and two to give away. I may need to buy more before Christmas arrives! This would be an outstanding addition to any and every family's library.

My just-turned 4-year-old grandson is fascinated with everything ROBOT--pbs features on robots, T-shirts, "Number 5," WALL-E, RescueBots, Transformers. He has 2 "sight words": his name and "robot/ROBOT," so we have a substantial collection of texts, toys and videos of robotanlia. When it's time to select his bedtime books, he almost always (90+%) picks "The Robot and the Bluebird." We get to the end, and he says, "That's sad. Read it again." I'm always ready to oblige. The prose is stunning, slipping easily off the tongue (unlike "Where the Wild Things Are"--also a favorite but not so hot for settling a child for sleep), while the plot is robust (which it must be to engage a pre-schooler), full of challenge, bravery, fortitude, self-sacrifice and redemption. Best story with this message I've seen since "Charlotte's Web." And, you can read it again in 7 minutes.

I have 2 boys, ages 2 and 4, and I am always on a quest to find perfect books for them.Of the hundreds of childrens' books I have read to them, this is MY favorite.The dichotomy between the perception of a hard, mechanical, metallic robot and a delicate, fragile little bluebird take on a special meaning. The robot's heart has stopped and he is thrown to the junk pile, when along comes the little bluebird, trying to make it's way south during the winter. The bird will die in the cold and the robot offers his heart space for the delicate little bird and the book says,"my heart used to say tick-tock, but now my heart is singing". I love that! In my own personal journey, I believe that we have lost that ability to allow our hearts to sing or to find that which will help us on that journey.If you believe in hope in times of despair and you have been on your own spiritual journey, this book will resonate within you.A lovely story and I look forward to sharing this with many, many more people.

My four year old daughter loves robots and I got this one for her third birthday. It sits on one of her high bookshelves with all her other special "keep forever" books and we still read it alot. The story about an old robot left out on the scrap heap finds a reason to live again when a bluebird takes shelter from the cold where his heart used to be - when she sings he feels as if his heart that used to be there is singing, when she flutters he feels that his heart flutters too!Sure, it's perhaps not the most exciting children's book but the sweet story and quirky illustrations make up for that - great read before bedtime.