My Little Blue Robot

Stephen T. Johnson's deluxe kiddie carpenter kit My Little Red Toolbox won the hearts of youngsters everywhere. Johnson's latest creation, My Little Blue Robot, takes the simple joy of building to the next logical step--constructing a talking robot on wheels! Made with the same quality as its predecessor, this kit features sturdy, ultrathick cardboard pages from which kids (with a little help) can pry out the flat robot components. First, you build the head. A diagram shows how the pieces for the head (all on the same page) fit together. No glue is necessary, as the pieces fit together with slots and tabs. The rest of the body follows, with clear instructions page by page. On the final page, the book takes a turn for the sentimental: "My robot needs one more thing. He needs a heart. Just like me." Kids then can open up the robot's chest and place the red cardboard heart inside. Awwww. And what does the robot say? Will it cry with Frankenstein's monster-style anguish? Or will it say "Hello!" or "Beep"? We'll let you find out. (Ages 4 to 7) --Karin Snelson