Robot Dreams (graphic novel)

Robot Dreams is a 2007 children's graphic novel by Sara Varon, who is both the author and illustrator.

It is about a dog who, wanting companionship, obtains a robot via mail order, but the dog has to abandon the robot after a beach trip. Eventually the dog finds other friends while a raccoon fixes the robot.

There is little text present in the work,^[1] and none of it is dialog. Therefore, no word balloons are present that impact images.^[2]

It was adapted into the film Robot Dreams.

Background

The author used the death of her companion animal, a dog, as inspiration for the story.^[2]

Contents

Barbara Postema stated that the artwork is "deceptively simple".^[2]

Postema stated that "is possible that Dog functions as an alter ego for Varon."^[2] She added that the dog character is portrayed as "relatively gender neutral," but that "it is appropriate" to use she/her pronouns for the dog.^[3]

Reception

Booklist described it as "A 2008 Great Graphic Novel for Teens."^[1]

Kirkus Reviews stated that the work is "thoughtful, provocative" and that it is "Witty and plaintive by turns".^[4]

Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review and described it as "Tender, funny and wise."^[5]

Travis Jonker, in School Library Journal, gave a recommendation to read the book, stating it is a "rewarding and surprisingly mature story of friendship."^[6] Betsy Bird of the Evanston Public Library, in the same publication, stated that it is "weirdly magnificent " and demonstrates the author's "grasp of what makes a good narrative".^[7]