Whirby

A robot in need of a recharge learns the value of powering down in this animated picture book. Of all his school subjects, robot Whirby’s favorite is “gadgeteering,” in which arena bot battles test which students’ inventions reign supreme. But Whirby gets so excited about the upcoming contest that he short-circuits his sleep hygiene: instead of slowing down and charging his battery, he stays up all night cogitating and tinkering. The next day, a cascade of malfunctions kick in. “His gears felt gritty, his buttons felt busted, and his cables felt extra cranky,” writes Harris (The Big Squeeze), and he runs out of juice just after entering the battle ring. Acknowledging that nighttime rituals and rest may actually matter, the bot codes a new bedtime protocol, recharges fully, and by morning is at “100 percent!”—earning the winner’s position on the gadgeteering podium. Souva (The Boy with Big, Big Feelings) populates the pages with expressive, mid-century-modern-style robots in digital illustrations that evoke collages of textured, translucent papers and patterns, creating a handcrafted aesthetic that makes for a witty counterpoint to the mechanically oriented characters and narrative. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Sera Rivers, Speilburg. Illustrator’s agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. (Feb.)