What do you think made the robot come to life?

This is a discussion prompt for The Robot King by Brian Selznick. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

How do the children feel about their mother? How do they show it?

This is a discussion prompt for The Robot King by Brian Selznick. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

If you could build a robot, what would it be like and what would it do?

This is a discussion prompt for The Robot King by Brian Selznick. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

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The Robot King

Name: The Robot King
ISBN: 9780060244941

by Brian Selznick

Two motherless siblings bring a robot to life using their mother’s favorite keepsake, embarking on a magical journey of memory and imagination.

About This Book

Two motherless children build a robot from odds and ends in their attic and, by using their mother's favorite belonging as its heart, bring the creation to life.

Concepts

Sadness & Grief Love & Family Creativity & Imagination Loneliness & Belonging Resilience & Perseverance Empathy & Kindness Death of a Loved One Making Friends Robots Family & Siblings

Heads up, parents

Character Death

sadness_grief

Wonderlit Review

The Robot King by Brian Selznick is a tender and imaginative story about two motherless children who find a unique way to cope with their grief. By building a robot from attic treasures and giving it their late mother's cherished possession as a heart, they bring it to life. The book gently explores themes of loss, family bonds, and the power of creativity, offering a comforting narrative for young readers navigating big emotions. It's a poignant tale that highlights how love and memory can animate even the most unexpected creations.