Book Review: The Wild Robot Protects (Volume 3)
The Wild Robot Protects is the third book in the series. The first book focuses on survival on the island where Roz, a robot, finds herself. The second book follows Roz as she escapes from the mainland and returns home to the island. The third book centers on protecting the island from a poison tide that is killing life in the ocean and threatening the island itself. Throughout all three books, the common themes are family, home, and helping others.
The main premise of this book is that a poison tide is flowing through the ocean, killing any life it encounters and eventually reaching the island. Roz cares for her family and animal friends and sets out on an adventure to stop the poison tide. Along the way, Roz encounters new ocean creatures, introducing young readers to ocean life. I realized that this book, like the others in the series, has strong educational and parenting values. The stories introduce young readers to many animals and experiences, which is especially beneficial for early childhood development. Children learn alongside the robot and gain a sense of family and home. I even learned something new myself, that whales and dolphins use echolocation in the water. Roz observes this and is able to try it herself. This is one of the things I enjoyed about these books: we are learning with Roz.
One aspect I particularly liked is how the book teaches about the environment in a balanced way. The author is not trying to impose a specific viewpoint, but instead tells a story that shows the interconnectedness of nature and the devastating effects pollution can have on the environment. Roz seeks nonviolent solutions to the problems she encounters, which is a rather healthy viewpoint to take.
One final point I’d like to make: there is a rare moment when Roz needs to lie. From a parenting perspective, I appreciated that the author took the time to explain to the reader that lying is wrong, leads to a whole host of trouble, and that telling the truth ultimately makes life simpler. It was a meaningful teaching moment.
I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it, especially for its educational and parenting value. Compared to the first two books, I liked book one the best, followed by book two, and then this book. Nonetheless, I still very much enjoyed it and appreciated the unique value it brings.