The Wild Robot is a book that needs an introduction. Some of you may have heard of it passingly, and others have dedicated themselves to knowing everything about it (I am one of those people). Peter Brown wove what I would consider a simple masterpiece of a story back in 2016 and released our lovable robot into the world. Like the other Books of the Month, this article gives you an insight into what The Wild Robot is and whether it’s worth reading. Spoiler: It really, really is.

Part 1 – Ocean Landings
The book is stylized uniquely, not fully a picture book while not fully a novel. Pictures between the pages will be used to visualize what Roz is doing and speaking of. The book starts with a storm, a very, very violent one. Waves crash against a boat, the ocean overtaking steel as boxes upon boxes drown into the depths. Only 5 remain as they drift along the currents and eventually come upon a shore. BANG! One box falls to the rocks. CRASH! Another smacks hard against the previous. The shore becomes a graveyard, a death field for robots. Each box that tried broke and scattered except for one that gracefully rode the wave’s top and landed on a stone outcropping safe from the waves. 

The box wasn’t entirely damage-free. A large gash was ripped open on the top, dents scarred the pristine packaging. Ultimately the robot inside was safe and would soon find herself with some interesting creatures… Otters. Those pesky, adorable, and curious furry mammals played with the corpses of the now-ruined robots. Heads rolled and hands were pushed as they playfully squeaked until they reached the box with the undamaged robot and the box with the charged battery.

Part 2 – Click
Otters scamped about as they rid the box of its content; the fluffy and squishy foam packaging. But one of the otters slapped their hand against something during their joyful scavenging. This something made a soft click and suddenly our robot was alive. Her name is ROZZUM Unit 7134 or you can call her Roz. This is the main character and the ‘Wild Robot’ the title refers to. You’ll see her struggle but eventually find her place and her grace within the island. But dear reader, this is as far as I can go.

While this is “Book of The Month” I prefer you to go find out what happens to Roz and learn of her adventures within the vast land of the island. It’s a story I hold dearly and have kept for many years, hoping to soon read the sequels as well! So go on and find it for yourself and give it a read, you’ll understand. But I’m not done yet! I forgot to mention…

Part 3 – THE MOVIE
Plot twist! This book of the month is ALSO a Movie Review! The Wild Robot (The Movie) was released on September 27th, 2024, and was met with raving success. It’s an animated adaptation of the book of the same name and was made beautifully. I watched it in late September and was amazed at the visuals and art direction of the film, it brought a singular manly tear from my eye.

Readers of the book, like myself, may notice differences in the plot but it kept the same points throughout even through the remodel of Roz and the story. The film itself is rushed story-wise creating a minor but noticeable effect on the quality as some plot points occur without explanation. But giving it the benefit of the doubt and my personal bias, watch it. Seriously. It might feel cheesy because it is, but some moments are radiatingly good.

Part 4 – Wrap Up
If I had the executive power I would make this “Book of The Year”, but I digress. This article is not for slop or to make something just because it’s a book, but it’s a passion I have. Go read the book or watch the movie, and then do the other. Go out and continue reading dear viewer, you’ll never know when you’ll find a gem.